Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos suffered their third season loss, falling below .500 in an embarrassing loss to the Indianapolis Colts Thursday night 12-9.
In a game where the Broncos were favored to win by more than 50%, they blew it in overtime at Mile High Stadium. After a defensive four quarters, the Broncos went into overtime with winning on their mind.
But, unfortunately, lousy playing calling would be their downfall once again.
On fourth and one with a chance to win the ball game in overtime against a battled test Indianapolis Colts defense. Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett and Broncos decided to throw the ball instead of running, costing them the game.
Regardless of calling a pass play, quarterback Russell Wilson took an undefended shot to the upper body, which cost him a shoulder injury and a possible concussion, which showed on the game's final play. Wilson looked dazed as he threw the ball to a covered Courtland Sutton instead of a wide-open KJ Hamler, that could have won the game.
After the game, Wilson echoed.
“I’m good,” Wilson said after the game. “They thought maybe — they checked me out just to make sure I didn’t get hit in the head too bad or anything like that. I was fine, answered all of their questions and everything else. [It was] just a bad play. [I] tried to make a tackle, tried to hit the guy.”
The NFLPA recently investigated the Miami Dolphins for how they handled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa concussion protocol.
Some believe Wilson should have been sidelined after colliding with a Colts defender.
He was taken into the Medical tent but
was ruled by medical staff and cleared to return to play. Unfortunately, Wilson wasn't okay as his performance staggered going forward. The Dolphins Medical staff was cleared of any wrong allegations earlier this week. But the league reported there would be changes to the NFL concussion protocol shortly.
Some analysts and fans blame Hackett and the Coaching staff for not simplifying the offense and catering to the playstyle of their star quarter.
Nathaniel Hackett said, "without a doubt."
He'll consider simplifying the offense. "We want to make it, so the guys are playing. The thing we say here is: Hear the call. Know the call. Do your job. We want to be sure that they're doing that at a high level, and right now, it's not"
As if Russ wasn't getting hit enough. The Denver Broncos lost starting LT Garett Bolles for the season after suffering a broken right leg Thursday. Bolles was one of the Bronco's effective blockers. Including Ronald Darby, who tore his ACL and will also require season-ending surgery.
On top of that, the Broncos lost LB Randy Gregory for several weeks due to an apparent knee injury. Last week, Denver lost their starting running back, Javonte Williams, to an ACL injury. The Broncos can't seem to catch a break.
Hackett, on the injuries piling up
"Injuries are a thing that, as a coach, I can't control," coach Nathaniel Hackett said Friday in a painful day-after session with Broncos media. "I mean, especially the ones that we're having. It's not things that guys are going to be able to come back from. They're long-term things and that's a part of this game. As a coach, I can't control it, I can only move forward. I can only go to the drawing board, grind and try to find ways to put people in good positions."
Melvin Gordon started at the running back position this week, rushing for 54 yards on 15 carries. At the same time, CB Damarri Mathis replaces Ronald Darby. With Bolles going down, the Broncos are faced with a liability at the LT position, Calvin Anderson stepped in for an injured Bolles Thursday, but nothing is official.
As injuries start to pile up for the 2-3 Denver Broncos, every game counts as they go deeper into the season. Monday, they will travel to Los Angeles to face off against their conference rivals, the Chargers.
Friday, Broncos QB Russell Wilson underwent a procedure in hopes of relieving discomfort near his throwing shoulder but isn't expected to miss any games. According to ESPN's power index, the Chargers are favored by 68.9%