Denver Broncos fans can breathe a sigh of relief that two-time Pro Bowler and prized offseason free agent signing Evan Engram avoided the worst in Sunday’s win over the Tennessee Titans, which he left early, and the news has raised eyebrows.
Engram picked up a calf injury in the 20-12 victory, logging just 26 snaps, per Pro Football Reference.
The first injury report of the week offered hope that he could suit up in Week 2, though.
Evan Engram Participates in Broncos’ 1st Practice of Week 2
GettyEvan Engram #1 of the Denver Broncos runs after a catch against the Arizona Cardinals.
Broncos media noted Engram’s presence during the open viewing portion of Wednesday’s session. However, his level of participation remained unclear until it was over.
“Broncos just wrapped up today’s practice,” Mile High Sports’ Cody Roark reported on X on September 10. “Spotted: TE Evan Engram was out there for stretch and individual period, we’ll see if he was limited or full shortly.”
Engram was listed as a “limited” participant.
Engram had three receptions, one of which went for a first down, and 21 yards against the Titans in his Broncos debut.
A former first-round pick by the New York Giants in the 2017 draft, Engram signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Broncos this past offseason. He had spent three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Engram was signed to be a safety valve for Bo Nix and a complement to Courtland Sutton.
However, has an extensive injury history, and the Broncos are expected to take a cautious approach with him.
“It took all of three quarters for serious injury concerns to surface around two of the Broncos’ most important veteran free-agent additions,” Evans wrote on September 7. “Denver will likely play it conservatively with the 31-year-old if the calf injury is serious, as the tight end comes with an injury history,” Evans wrote. “He played just nine games in 2024 after tearing his labrum.”
Engram logged back-to-back 17-game regular seasons in 2022 and 2023.
He has had two full slate campaigns (2020) under his belt, heading into the former as a member of the Jaguars. He had 114 receptions for 963 yards and 4 TDs the following season.
Notably, Engram has one other would-be full slate. It was in 2021 with the Giants. He missed the regular-season finale due to a rib injury. Still, Engram’s participation, however limited, is a good sign and good news for the Broncos.
Broncos Not So Fortunate With Dre Greenlaw
GettyFormer San Francisco 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw #57 reacts on the field during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII.
The Broncos’ injury report was not all good news despite Engram’s participation in practice. His fellow offseason pickup, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad), did not participate and has not practiced “in over a week,” per DNVR’s Zac Stevens.
Greenlaw inked a three-year, $31.5 million pact in free agency. Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Monday that he expected Greenlaw to return “sooner than later.”
Still, Greenlaw is off to an ominous start to begin the week and his Broncos tenure.
The Broncos ruled Greenlaw out for the season opener on Friday, September 5. So, they could take a similar approach before making their final decision on him in Week 2, when the Broncos will face the Indianapolis Colts.
Broncos Face New Injury Concerns on Defense
GettyJohn Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos warms up before facing the Buffalo Bills with the New York Jets.
While Engram and the Broncos’ offense played an uneven game, the defense got off to a good start against the Titans in Week 1. However, just as with Greenlaw, the Broncos’ good injury news about their starters essentially stopped there as a new issue emerged.
Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers missed Wednesday’s practice with what the team is listing as a knee injury.
Franklin-Myers played the second-most snaps on defense on the Broncos behind Zach Allen.
Linebacker Alex Singleton was a full participant with a thumb injury. Singleton logged the fourth-most snaps on the Broncos’ defense. But the Broncos are also still without veteran tight end Nate Adkins, leaving them thin until he and Engram return.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Broncos Get Eyebrow-Raising Update About Evan Engram in Mixed Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.