The Denver Broncos drew praise for being aggressive, signing a trio of contributors – linebacker Dre Greenlaw, tight end Evan Engram, and safety Talanoa Hufanga – in free agency. The Broncos have yet to see any return on their investment.
A former key member of the San Francisco 49ers, where he and Hufanga were teammates, Greenlaw has missed the Broncos’ first two games with a quad injury.
What is even more concerning is that it is Greenlaw’s second quad injury since he signed.
Dre Greenlaw Called ‘Huge Waste’ After Cashing In
GettyFormer San Francisco 49ers LB Dre Greenlaw #57 looks on against the Los Angeles Rams.
Greenlaw signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Broncos, which Predominantly Orange’s Lou Scataglia called a “huge waste.” Mile High Huddles Zack Kelberman said the “situation stinks to high heaven.” Broncos head coach Sean Payton has offered little clarity.
He has opted not to divulge injury information beyond the official report.
Payton did, however, suggest that Greenlaw, who was spotted working on the side on Wednesday, is closer to returning than not when asked about placing the LB on injured reserve.
“We felt like he’s kind of on our schedule,” Payton told reporters after Greenlaw missed the first practice of Week 3 on Wednesday. “We spent time on it, because it’s a little nebulous relative to the injury, and that’s all I’ll say.”
Sean Payton said the Broncos not putting Greenlaw on IR is “nebulous relative to the injury”.
@NateKreckman @Andy_LindahlIt was Payton who created the expectation that Greenlaw was nearing a return, though.
“You’re going to see him sooner than later,” Payton said on September 8 ahead of the Broncos’ Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, which Greenlaw obviously missed.
Dre Greenlaw’s Agent Expressed Faith in Plan
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a stop against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
This saga should come as no surprise to Greenlaw or the Broncos. The linebacker played in two games in 2024 after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in the 2023 Super Bowl. He then suffered a foot injury during the campaign.
He has one full regular-season slate to his credit, and that was as a rookie in 2019.
Perhaps that is why Greenlaw’s agent, J.R. Carroll, expressed confidence in the Broncos’ plan for his client.
“If it was a different organization, I may try to interject myself if I didn’t think that — or an organization has the reputation for not having the player’s best interest at heart, but have the organization’s best interest held first,” Carroll told The Denver Post’s Luca Evans in August. “And until they give me some indication that they’re going to do anything differently, I’m just kind of staying out of the kitchen.”
Greenlaw practiced leading up to the preseason finale and was even in uniform, but sat out. The Broncos have missed Greenlaw’s presence on the field as their linebackers have been taken advantage of in coverage, an area in which the ex-49ers star has thrived in the past.
Talanoa Hufanga the ‘Other Shoe’ for Broncos
GettyTalanoa Hufanga #9 of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Payton’s optimism about Greenlaw came as he was praising what Hufanga brought to the Broncos. Hufanga was a Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro with the 49ers in 2022, and Payton lauded the young veteran he had previously referred to as a “first responder.”
Payton said Hufanga’s “maturity” and “leadership” were “contagious,” and his play is impressive.
“I found myself really amazed, talking with him, and relative to his perspective, how he carries himself. This passion for – this drive to be real special, and to win,” Payton said. “Something that’s very important: football instincts. Our league has had a ton of great safety play from players, maybe, that tested a certain way, and yet had great instincts. They have to be willing tacklers, and he’s more than just that.”
However, Hufanga also represents the veritable “other shoe” for the Broncos amid injury concerns with Greenlaw and Engram, who picked up a back injury entering Week 3.
Like his two fellow new Broncos, Hufanga has an extensive injury history. His stellar 2022 campaign was also the only time he played a full slate of regular-season games. He has also played in fewer games than the previous year over his last two campaigns.
Notably, the Broncos listed Hufanga as limited on the report with Engram and Greenlaw out.
Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw Called ‘Huge Waste’ After Latest Update