ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — This doesn’t figure to help the Broncos’ slow-starting running game.
The Broncos placed rookie running back Audric Estime on injured reserve with an ankle injury. While significant, it’s not a season-ending injury as Estime was working on a side field Wednesday. A source said Estime is expected back when his minimum four-week IR stint expires.
Estime, a fifth-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, exploded for a 12-yard run in his first NFL carry Sunday at Seattle, and that’s after he fumbled the ball backwards a couple yards where it was recovered by teammate Adam Trautman. Estime had one more carry for two yards and just one more offensive snap against the Seahawks.
It’s not the first time Estime has had an injury setback in his young stint with the Broncos. During OTAs in late-May, he suffered a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery. He returned a month later for the start of training camp, although it did set him back in terms of adapting to the NFL game. And just as he was working his way into getting more carries, he goes down again.
The Broncos’ other two running backs, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin, combined for just 50 yards off 18 carries, a mere 2.77 yards per carry, in the 26-20 loss at Seattle.
Veteran fullback Michael Burton was promoted from the practice squad to replace Estime on the 53-man roster. The Broncos also figure to dress rookie running Blake Watson for their game Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High. Watson was a surprise make on the Broncos' season-opening, 53-man roster but was inactive for the game against the Seahawks last week.
Five Broncos on injury report
The Broncos came out of the Seattle game banged up beyond Estime’s injury. Left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle contusion/calf), center Luke Wattenberg (ankle), and receivers Josh Reynolds (Achilles) and Devaughn Vele (ribs) were held out of practice. Those four were doing rehab work on the side field, though, an encouraging sign.
Rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss was limited with knee soreness.
Bronco Bits
Slot receiver Kaden Davis was signed to the Broncos' practice squad to replace Burton. Davis was in Broncos’ training camp in 2022 but has yet to play in an NFL regular-season game.
Former Broncos now on the Steelers: Receivers coach Zach Azzanni, senior offensive assistant Mike Sullivan and punter Corliss Waitman.
And quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson has a calf injury and was limited in practice Wednesday. However, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he is planning on Justin Fields to be his starting quarterback Sunday against the Broncos.
Because Waitman is a left-footed punter, the Broncos brought in lefty punter Michael Palardy for a workout Wednesday. The spin is different coming off a left foot as compared to a right-footed punter.
