The Broncos will be without a pair of key defensive players Sunday in their season opener.
The question now is how much time each will miss.
Denver ruled out inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) and defensive tackle Malcolm Roach (calf) on Friday in moves that had been expected for each given the way the week has progressed.
Greenlaw’s been mostly limited or not participating since he injured his quad back in April. He was cleared to start training camp, then had the issue flare up early. He didn’t play in any of the Broncos’ three preseason games or their two joint practices, and he hadn’t participated in practice at all this week.
Roach, meanwhile, left practice Thursday with what a source described as a Grade 2 calf strain. Dr. Kenton Fibel, a primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedics in Los Angeles and the Anaheim Ducks’ team doctor, told The Post this week that a Grade 2 calf strain for an NFL player would likely result in an absence of “several weeks.”
Denver coach Sean Payton on Friday declined to provide any update on either player.
Broncos tight end Nate Adkins (ankle) is also ruled out for the game, as expected. Every other player is off the injury report and cleared to play, including OLB Dondrea Tillman, who was limited Thursday with a hamstring issue.
This story will be updated.
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