DENVER — For the first time in 20 years, the Broncos’ No. 30 jersey is headed for a 1,000-yard season.
Terrell Davis should know rookie Phillip Lindsay is carrying his number well.
Lindsay had four carries of 32, 14, 12 and 18 yards for 76 of his 110 yards Sunday in the Broncos’ 24-17 upset victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After his 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter held as the winning score, Lindsay handed the ball to left tackle Garett Bolles for the celebratory spike.
“They deserve it," Lindsay said of his offensive line. “They’re out there putting their body on the line 24/7. They get the least talked about out of everybody and they come in here ready to work. On top of that, people were (trashing them) at the beginning. They deserve everything they get. They’re out there working.”
Lindsay now has 780 yards – on a fabulous 5.8 yards per carry – with five games to go. He topped the team’s previous undrafted rookie record of 729 yards set by Selvin Young in 2007 and he’s on pace to surpass the 1,007 yards C.J. Anderson had last year as the best undrafted rushing season in Broncos history.
As for No. 30, the last good season that number had was in 1998, when Davis rushed for 2,008 yards to win the NFL Most Valuable Player Award. Davis suffered a knee injury early the next season and was never the same, although by then he already had done enough to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Harris incentive
Broncos’ cornerback Chris Harris Jr. hit the first of his $3 million incentive package Sunday by getting his third interception. That was worth a $200,000 bonus.
“I needed that," Harris said. “A nice little check."
If he gets two more, he’ll get another $300,000.
Harris also has team-based incentives where if the Broncos win six games (he needs one more) and he plays 65 percent of the snaps (he may already have crossed that threshold), he’ll get another $300,000 bonus.
He’ll get another $300,000 if the Broncos win 8 games and he records 75 percent playing time. Those 8 wins suddenly seem reachable.
It’s a unique incentive package that only players like Tom Brady and Harris have -- players who arguably have outproduced the value of their current contract. Does Harris recommend such incentive packages for players?
“I don’t plan on doing this ever again," he said, meaning he’d prefer to have the money guaranteed. “I’m not doing this again. This is probably the only year."
Barrett to get MRI, X-rays negative on Brock’s ribs
Broncos outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, who got his third sack of the season late in the third quarter Sunday, suffered a hip flexor and will have an MRI on Monday morning.
It could be a concern because Barrett suffered a serious hip injury while working out in the offseason of 2017, although he didn’t miss any time.
The Broncos also lost No. 3 cornerback Tramaine Brock to a rib injury. Brock has some cartilage damage, but X-rays were negative so there’s hope he can play next week at Cincinnati.
Tight end Jeff Heuerman suffered a game-ending back injury but there is hope a week of treatment will allow him to play against the Bengals.
Taylor finished for year
After keeping receiver Jordan Taylor on their physically unable to perform (PUP) list following a three-week, midseason practice trial, there was hope the popular “Sunshine” could return later this year.
That won’t be the case. Taylor will not be able to recover from surgeries on both hips in time to help the Broncos this year. He is confident he will be fully healthy and ready to play next year, when he is eligible for restricted free agency.
