The Denver Broncos are finally back where they belong. It has been a decade—ten long, sometimes painful years—since the Mile High City hosted a playoff game as the AFC’s top seed. But as the Buffalo Bills roll into town for this Saturday's Divisional Round showdown, the conversation isn't just about Bo Nix’s breakout year or Sean Payton’s "myth-busting" coaching style. It's about the Denver Broncos injury report and how a week of rest might have saved their season.
Honestly, the timing of that first-round bye was a godsend. If the Broncos had to play last weekend, the roster would have looked like a triage unit. Instead, the news coming out of Dove Valley on Thursday afternoon feels like a massive exhale for Broncos Country.
The Big News: Dre Greenlaw and JFM Are Back
The most significant update involves the heart of the defense. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is officially a go. He hasn't seen the field since Week 16 due to a nagging hamstring, and for a while, it felt like his return was a "maybe" at best. Seeing him improve to a full participant in Thursday's practice is huge. He wasn't even assigned a game status for Saturday. That basically means he's 100% in the eyes of the training staff.
Then you've got John Franklin-Myers. JFM missed the regular-season finale against the Chargers with a hip issue. Losing a guy like that on the interior would have been a disaster against Josh Allen, who—despite his own laundry list of injuries—remains the most dangerous dual-threat QB in the league. Franklin-Myers was a full participant all week. No designation. He’s starting.
Who is officially out?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Broncos did have to make some tough calls.
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- Lucas Krull (TE): Ruled out with a foot injury. He was limited all week, but the team isn't ready to pull the trigger on activating him just yet.
- Drew Sanders (LB): Also ruled out. Sanders is recovering from an ankle injury and, despite being a full participant on Thursday, the team is playing it safe.
It’s worth noting that both Krull and Sanders are technically in their "designated for return" window from the Injured Reserve. Just because they practiced doesn't mean they had to be active. Payton is keeping those cards close to his vest, likely saving them for a potential AFC Championship run.
Bo Nix and the Offense: Healthier Than They Look?
If you're looking for Bo Nix on the Denver Broncos injury report, you won't find him. That's a miracle in itself. The rookie has taken some shots this year, especially during that mid-season stretch where the offensive line was shuffling bodies like a deck of cards.
Garett Bolles had a bit of a scare in Week 18 with a lower-leg injury. People were panicking. But Bolles is a warrior. He’s been practicing and is expected to anchor the left side without any limitations. This is massive because Buffalo’s pass rush, even with some of their own injuries, is no joke.
"I think we see most everyone back," Sean Payton told reporters earlier this week. He wasn't kidding. For the first time in months, the 53-man active roster is essentially "clean."
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The J.K. Dobbins Question
The one name everyone keeps whispering about is J.K. Dobbins. He’s been on IR since Week 11 with a foot injury. Is he coming back? Payton has been predictably vague, saying Dobbins is "getting close" but offering "no comments" on a specific activation date.
The reality? Don't expect him this Saturday. The internal buzz suggests the AFC Championship Game—if Denver gets there—is the real target. For now, the ground game rests on the shoulders of the rookie RJ Harvey and Jaleel McLaughlin. Harvey has been a home-run threat, but he's struggled with vision lately, often running into the backs of his own linemen. McLaughlin might actually see more "dirty work" carries this weekend to keep the offense on schedule.
Comparing the Triage: Denver vs. Buffalo
To understand why the Denver Broncos injury report is actually a "win," you have to look at the other sideline. The Buffalo Bills are a mess.
They just lost two of their starting-caliber receivers, Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers, to ACL tears in their Wild Card win over Jacksonville. Their secondary is missing Jordan Poyer and Maxwell Hairston. Even Josh Allen is listed with about four different ailments, including a foot and a finger injury.
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Denver is entering this game as the healthier, more rested team. In January, that’s often the difference between a win and a plane ride home.
What This Means for Your Saturday
When you’re looking at how this game plays out, the lack of "Questionable" tags for Denver is the lead story. You've got your starting DL back. You've got your veteran linebacker back. Your quarterback is healthy.
The main thing to watch will be the "rust vs. rest" factor. Having no injury designations is great, but guys like Greenlaw haven't hit anyone in a month. The first quarter will be a test of whether these returning players have their "game legs" under them.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the substitutions: If Greenlaw looks winded early, expect Karene Reid to rotate in. Reid has been solid in relief and Payton won't hesitate to use him if Greenlaw’s hamstring shows any tightness.
- Monitor the TE targets: With Krull out, Evan Engram and Adam Trautman will take 100% of the tight end snaps. Engram has been Bo Nix’s security blanket, so expect a heavy dose of him in the middle of the field.
- The Trenches: Keep an eye on John Franklin-Myers. If he’s moving fluidly, Josh Allen won’t be able to step up in the pocket, which is where the Broncos' edge rushers (Bonitto and Cooper) do their best work.
The Broncos have a golden opportunity here. The roster is as healthy as it’s going to get. Now, they just have to execute.