The Broncos defense has dealt with many injuries at safety this season and that continued in Sunday afternoon’s AFC title game.
Darian Stewart injured his knee in the third quarter and T.J. Ward aggravated an ankle injury in the fourth quarter, forcing both men to the sideline for the rest of the game. The Broncos, who have already placed Omar Bolden and David Bruton on injured reserve, adapted by playing cornerback Chris Harris at safety at points, something he said he’s never practiced after the game, but they’d obviously be better off with the safeties in the lineup.
The news from the locker room was good on that front. Stewart said, via the Denver Post, that there is “no question” that he’ll be ready for Super Bowl 50 and Ward also said that he would be in the lineup against the Panthers in a little less than two weeks.
Denver emerged from the 20-18 victory over the Patriots without any other serious health concerns, leaving the safety spot as the one to watch once injury reports start getting released next week.