Broncos’ Dre Greenlaw Placed on IR Due to Thigh Injury

The Denver Broncos have placed linebacker Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve due to a thigh injury, which has sidelined him for both games this season. The announcement was made by the team on Saturday, indicating that Greenlaw will be unavailable for at least the next four games.

This injury marks a challenging start for Greenlaw, who was one of the Broncos’ key acquisitions during the free agency period. Despite signing a lucrative three-year contract worth $31.5 million in March 2023, he has yet to make his debut in a regular season game. Greenlaw did not participate in the Broncos’ offseason program due to an earlier thigh injury sustained during training, which initially led to expectations that he would be ready for the season.

Injury Details and Impact on the Team

Head Coach Sean Payton described Greenlaw’s current ailment as a “different” injury from the one that kept him off the field earlier. The linebacker suffered this latest setback during training camp, following a period of rehabilitation from his previous issue. He also did not play in the preseason, raising concerns about his readiness for competitive play.

The absence of Greenlaw, who was hoped to strengthen the Broncos’ defense, now puts additional pressure on the team as they navigate the early part of the season without one of their most significant signings. His contract, the second-largest deal offered to a free agent by the Broncos this year, highlights the expectations placed upon him to contribute meaningfully to the team’s performance.

As the Broncos prepare for the upcoming games, they will need to adjust their strategy and potentially look to their depth chart for replacements while hoping for Greenlaw’s swift recovery. The impact of his injury will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike as the season progresses.

This report is supported by contributions from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, who has covered the developments surrounding the Broncos and their roster changes extensively.