Honestly, walking into the locker rooms in Denver right now feels a bit like walking into a MAS*H unit. If you’ve been tracking the denver injury report today, you know it’s not just one team; it’s a city-wide epidemic of ice packs and "questionable" tags.
Between the Broncos prepping for a massive playoff run and the Nuggets and Avalanche trying to keep their regular seasons from imploding, there is a lot of noise. You’ve probably seen the headlines. But if you actually look at the data coming out of Englewood and the Ball Arena training rooms, the reality is a mix of "breathe a sigh of relief" and "absolute panic."
The Broncos: Who’s Actually Hitting the Field Against Buffalo?
The big news for the Broncos is linebacker Dre Greenlaw. He’s been the heartbeat of that defense when he’s healthy, but that hamstring has been a nightmare lately.
He didn't play in Week 16. He sat. He watched. Fans were getting nervous. However, as of Thursday's final practice before the Divisional Round game against the Bills, Greenlaw was a full participant. No game status assigned. Basically, that’s NFL-speak for "he’s playing."
It’s huge. The Bills have the top rushing offense in the league, and without Greenlaw, the middle of the field would be a highway for Josh Allen and James Cook.
Then there is John Franklin-Myers. His hip was acting up, forcing him to miss the regular-season finale against the Chargers. He’s been back at practice full-go for three straight days. He’s good.
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But it’s not all sunshine. Drew Sanders (ankle) and Lucas Krull (foot) are officially out. They both tried to ramp it up this week, but Krull stayed limited all through Thursday. It sucks for the depth chart, but with Karene Reid recently activated from IR, the Broncos are actually looking healthier than they have in months.
The Nuggets Are Playing a Dangerous Game of "Next Man Up"
If the Broncos are getting healthy, the Nuggets are doing the exact opposite. It’s kinda stressful to watch.
The denver injury report today for the basketball side of things is basically a CVS receipt. Nikola Jokic is the name everyone is staring at. He’s got a hyperextended left knee. Some reports suggest he could miss another month. Without the Big Honey, the offense looks... well, it looks human. And being human in the Western Conference gets you beat.
Look at the Dallas game on Wednesday. No Jokic. No Cam Johnson (knee). No Christian Braun (ankle).
Jamal Murray had to put the team on his back with 31 points, and he’s not even 100% himself! He’s been fighting through ankle trouble and an illness that’s been going around the locker room.
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- Nikola Jokic: Out (Knee)
- Christian Braun: Out (Ankle)
- Cam Johnson: Out (Knee)
- Tamar Bates: Out (Foot surgery)
- Aaron Gordon: Probable (Hamstring)
The Nuggets are currently 27-13, which is great, but they are leaning way too hard on Murray and Peyton Watson right now. If Aaron Gordon’s hamstring tweaks again, they are in real trouble.
The Avalanche and the Landeskog Heartbreak
Then we have the Avs. Gabriel Landeskog finally came back after missing three whole seasons. Three seasons! He played 41 games, looked like his old self, and then—boom. He crashes into the goal post against Florida on January 4th.
Coach Jared Bednar said he’s going to miss "some weeks" with an upper-body injury. It’s devastating because Landeskog was just named to the Swedish Olympic roster. Now, his trip to Italy for the Winter Games is in serious doubt.
On top of that, the blue line is a mess. Devon Toews is out week-to-week after a nasty spill into the boards.
Tonight, Friday the 16th, they face Nashville. Ross Colton is "questionable" with an upper-body issue. Joel Kiviranta is week-to-week. The depth that usually makes the Avalanche terrifying is being tested to the absolute limit. They are still 31-3-7, which is an insane record, but you can’t keep losing your captain and your top defenseman and expect to stay at the top of the standings.
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Why This Matters for Denver Sports Fans
When you look at the denver injury report today, you have to see the ripple effect.
For the Broncos, the health of the defense determines if they can contain Josh Allen. For the Nuggets, it’s about survival until Jokic gets back. For the Avalanche, it’s about not letting a mid-season slump turn into a playoff seeding disaster.
The reality is that injuries aren't just about who is "Out" or "Doubtful." It's about the "Limited" guys. It's about how much Dre Greenlaw can actually sprint on that hamstring. It's about whether Jamal Murray's lungs can handle 38 minutes of basketball while he's recovering from the flu.
Actionable Insights for the Weekend:
- Watch the Broncos' LB rotation: Even though Greenlaw is "unassigned," watch how many snaps Karene Reid takes. They might limit Greenlaw's pitch count early to save him for the fourth quarter.
- Nuggets Betting Warning: If you’re looking at spreads, remember that without Jokic, the Nuggets’ offensive rating drops significantly. Don’t just bet the name on the jersey.
- Avalanche Power Play: With Toews out, look for who takes those minutes on the point. The chemistry is going to be wonky for at least the next few games.
- Monitor the "Illness" Tag: There is a bug hitting the Nuggets' facility. Check the late-scratch reports about 90 minutes before tip-off.
The Mile High medical staff is the busiest group of people in Colorado right now. Keep your eyes on the official team feeds, but more importantly, watch how these teams move in the first five minutes of their games. That'll tell you more than any PDF report ever will.