DENVER — The Denver Broncos will be without Garett Bolles who is out for the season after the left tackle was carted off the field Thursday with a broken right leg.
Bolles was blocking for Mike Boone on a running play with 3:58 remaining in the fourth quarter when another player inadvertently rolled on the back of the left tackle's legs from behind. Bolles stayed down on the field for several minutes before he was carted into the trainer's room.
X-rays revealed the break but more exams are needed to determine the severity. Bolles had started 81 of a possible 85 games for the Broncos since he was their first-round pick, No. 20 overall, in the 2017 NFL Draft
He struggled through his first three seasons to the point team management declined to pick up his fifth-year option. But in 2020, his fourth season, he had a second-team All Pro season and received a four-year, $68 million contract extension.
With Bolles down, Calvin Anderson replaced him Thursday at left tackle.
The Broncos had four other injuries in their 12-9 overtime loss to Indianapolis: Inside linebacker Josey Jewell (left knee); cornerback Ronald Darby (knee); quarterback Russell Wilson (head); and outside linebacker Baron Browning (wrist).
Hackett said Friday that Darby suffered a torn ACL and is lost for the season. Darby signed a three-year, $30 million contract as a free agent with the Broncos in March 2021. He started 16 games the past two seasons. His $10 million for 2023 is not guaranteed.
Wilson returned to the game without missing a snap. Hackett said Friday that Jewell suffered a knee sprain and is week to week -- meaning he may not play next week against the Los Angeles Chargers -- while Browning should be good to play.
Some good news health-wise is star safety Justin Simmons is eligible to return to practice Monday and play in the Broncos' next game, the following Monday, Oct. 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Simmons had been sidelined four weeks with a quad injury.
"I feel great,'' Simmons said, before adding he hopes to practice and play next week.
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