Justin Simmons “hopeful” to return for “must-win” Monday night matchup for Broncos

For Broncos safety Justin Simmons, the past four weeks have not been much fun.

“Selfishly, they’ve been miserable,” the seventh-year pro said of the first extended injury absence of his career. “Football-wise, it’s tough going out there and feeling like you can go and you want to go, the adrenaline is running, but you’re just sidelined.”

Simmons missed Denver’s last four games because of a quad injury that landed him on injured reserve. He returned to practice Tuesday and has up to three weeks for the Broncos to activate him, but he’s optimistic the return timeline is much shorter than that.

“I’m hopeful I can come back Monday, that’s the goal, and it would be a good one to come back for on Monday night against the Chargers, get our first AFC West win, that would be special,” Simmons said. … “It’s a must-win. It’s as urgent as it can be.”

Of course, there’s a difference between running up and down the sideline as part coach, part cheerleader during games or jogging through practice and being ready to play against the Chargers.

“I try to replicate as much as I can in practice, the gameday experience, but obviously not hitting and taking guys to the ground,” Simmons said. “There will be similar movements, but it’s those quick-twitch movements that catch you off-guard that are really hard to replicate.”

Simmons is one of three players on injured reserve to rejoin practice this week, joining cornerback Michael Ojemudia and rookie tight end Greg Dulcich. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Thursday the hope is that all three can return for Monday night’s game. The Broncos currently have three open spots on their roster.

Wilson’s shoulder improving: Quarterback Russell Wilson was a limited participant in practice again Thursday, but told reporters beforehand that his injured right shoulder, “is doing better. It’s getting better every day.”

As he did Tuesday, Wilson threw the ball normally and did not appear to be on a pitch count during the portion of practice open to reporters.

“I haven’t had this particular injury before,” Wilson said. “But I’ll be OK. I’ll be ready.”

Risner misses practice: Left guard Dalton Risner did not practice Thursday because of a back issue that Hackett said just popped up in the morning. Linebacker Josey Jewell (knee sprain) was the only other player Hackett expected to be a DNP. Jewell was injured against the Colts.

The limited list: Wilson, CB Damarri Mathis (knee), OL Billy Turner (knee), OL Quinn Meinerz (hamstring), K’Waun Williams (wrist), DL Mike Purcell, TE Eric Saubert, RB Mike Boone, S Caden Sterns, OLB Jonathon Cooper (hamstring) and CB Darrius Phillips (hamstring).

Kongbo returning to practice squad: Denver signed outside linebacker Jonathan Kongbo back to its practice squad one day after he cleared waivers, per the NFL wire. Kongbo, the former CFL player, was promoted to the active roster for Thursday night’s game against Indianapolis and then was waived earlier this week.

Former Broncos QB Johnson wins award: Former Denver quarterback Charley Johnson earned New Mexico State’s highest alumni honor and is set to be recognized by the school later this month.

Johnson, who played 15 years of professional football after his career at NMSU — including 1972-75 with the Broncos — went on to become a chemical engineering professor and at one point was the school’s department head as well as its interim football coach.

Source: Read Full Article