DENVER — Brandon Johnson tweaked his hamstring pretty good late in practice Thursday. So much so that the Broncos' No. 3 or 4 wide receiver was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
That means Johnson will miss at least the next four weeks, or three games, as the Broncos have a bye next week. The Broncos play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by games Monday night, Nov. 13 at Buffalo and Sunday, Nov. 19 home against Minnesota.
With Johnson down, the Broncos elevated veteran receiver Tre'Quan Smith from their practice squad. Smith was signed as a free agent by the Broncos three weeks ago.
Johnson has 8 catches for 122 yards and an impressive 3 touchdowns in 7 games this year. Undrafted out of Central Florida and Tennessee last year, Johnson has impressed two different coaching staffs for the Broncos but has struggled to stay healthy. A high ankle sprain caused him to miss the first half of last season.
Smith had 32 catches for 377 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2021 for the New Orleans Saints when Sean Payton was his head coach.
Javonte fined
When Broncos running back Javonte Williams lowered his head to attack Green Bay tackler Keisean Nixon on a second quarter play last week, he escaped detection of on-field officials. But not the eye in the sky back in New York.
Williams was fined $13,433 for unnecessary roughness by the league, it was announced Saturday. Williams had caught a swing pass from quarterback Russell Wilson and was stopped for a 2-yard gain. As two tacklers converged on him, Williams attacked the tackler Nixon before the tackler got him.
He seemed to use his helmet as a battering ram on the play. The league has been trying to "take the helmet out of the game" in recent years in hopes of reducing head injuries.
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