The Broncos think, or maybe it’s hope, that Wes Welker will be back after his latest concussion.
But plans are being made, just in case.
“We have a next-guy-up mentality around here,” wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “But we want to make sure Wes is good, because we all want to get him back.”
Wideout Demaryius Thomas talked to Welker this weekend and said: “I believe he’s going to be good.”
But that might just be players talking, as Welker’s now had three concussions in the last 10 months, and will have to pass through the league’s concussion protocol before he can return.
If he misses any time — and with two weeks to recover, that’s no certainty — the Broncos can tweak their offense. Sanders ran plenty of slot receiver for the Steelers, and has been practicing all three receiver positions since joining the Broncos. If he moves inside, Andre Caldwell will see more time in three-receiver sets as well.
But at the moment, they don’t know if they have to resort to that, or whether it will become a long-term plan.