Nate Irving Sprains MCL, Broncos Have To Figure Out Depleted Linebacker Position
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By Rich Kurtzman
Depth; it can be a team’s saving grace or its downfall.
In Denver, the team John Elway constructed is one of the deepest in the National Football League, yet there are still some soft spots. The most glaring weakness heading into the 2014 season was at linebacker, specifically middle linebacker.
Last season, the Broncos threw in multiple veterans to play the position, including Wesley Woodyard, Paris Lenon and in the playoffs, Nate Irving. While Denver was devastated in Super Bowl XLVIII, Irving was one of the top performers, and through that and the preseason, he won the starting middle linebacker job. He’s started all eight games this season, and has put up career-highs in tackles (46) and tied his high in sacks with one with one safety as well.
But, as the Broncos were beaten by New England Patriots last Sunday, they also lost Irving to a sprained MCL. Luckily for Denver, it’s only a sprained MCL, and not a torn ligament, but he will still have to miss time. Head coach John Fox said of Irving’s injury that “it’s very early,” and the team doesn’t know how long they’ll be without him.
What they do know is that starting weakside linebacker Danny Trevathan remains out with a second broken bone in his left leg. Trevathan broke the bone just above the knee in training camp, came back, only to break the bone just below his knee in the same leg. He remains out until at least Week 15, meaning it’s time for Denver to scramble.
Rookie Corey Nelson may just be the short-term answer at middle linebacker, as he’s filled in this season already and played some nickel. He has 12 total tackles including a career-best seven in the win over the New York Jets.
If not Nelson, it’s likely to be Steven Johnson playing for the injured Irving. Johnson is a third-year pro out of Kansas and has 26 career tackles and one fumble recovery. At 6’1” and 237 pounds, he’s slightly larger than Nelson and is most likely the man Denver will play. And even though Johnson’s missed the last two games with a sore ankle, he told the media he will be back this weekend.
Denver sports the league’s best run defense, so they have that going for them. Johnson and Nelson are both solid against the run, and each will be more challenged in the passing game. Their next opponent, the Oakland Raiders, are the worst running team, so this is a good week for Johnson and/or Nelson to build confidence.
Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
