The Denver Broncos still don’t have inside linebacker Justin Strnad back on the field. Strnad missed practice for a second straight day on December 18, per DNVR’s Zac Stevens.
That’s a notable late-week development for a Broncos team trying to keep its footing in the AFC race with the Jacksonville Jaguars coming to Denver on December 21.
We also broke down Denver’s roster moves from Wednesday here.
Key details to know right now
- What happened: Strnad did not practice again Thursday, giving him back-to-back DNPs to open the week.
- Why he’s on the report: Strnad left Denver’s Week 15 win with an ankle issue and was later listed on the team injury report (the team listed it as a foot).
- Why it matters: He’s been a real rotational piece on defense this season and a core special teams contributor. Strnad has logged 54% of snaps on defense and another 35% of special teams snaps this season. He has compiled 50 total tackles, four for a loss, 3.5 sacks, two passes defended and an interception.
What Strnad’s absence could mean for the Broncos’ ILB plan
Strnad isn’t the headliner of Denver’s defense, but he’s been important glue in the middle, and the timing is the story.
On the Broncos’ current depth chart, Strnad sits behind Dre Greenlaw at ILB, with Alex Singleton and Jordan Turner also factoring in at the position group. If Strnad can’t practice (or can’t go Sunday), it tightens the rotation and puts more stress on the next-man-up options in a week where Denver will be dealing with Jacksonville’s run-pass balance and quick-game tempo.
One more wrinkle: Karene Reid is in the mix, too. He was listed as a full participant earlier in the week after being designated to return from IR, which is the kind of “quiet” roster note that can turn into a real Sunday role if Denver needs bodies.
What Strnad has provided when he’s been in the lineup
Strnad has given Sean Payton’s defense two things this season: usable snaps on defense and steady work on special teams.
He’s also had stretches where he’s been more than just a fill-in, including seven spot-starts opportunities when injuries hit the room.
From a usage standpoint, his snap share tells the story of why the Broncos would rather not be without him: he’s played a meaningful defensive role in 13 games this season, not just cameo snaps.
And long-term, Denver has consistently treated him like a special teams-plus linebacker, the kind of player who keeps units clean even when the defense is rotating.
What happens next
The next real checkpoint is Friday’s participation (and then Denver’s final injury report/status for Sunday). Until Strnad gets back even in a limited capacity, this stays in the “worth watching” bucket, especially with Denver’s depth-chart math at inside linebacker and special teams tied together.
Denver will also have to weigh how aggressive it wants to be at inside linebacker if Strnad can’t suit up. That could mean more snaps for the starters, fewer sub packages, and a heavier load for players who haven’t had Strnad’s week-to-week role. In a late-season AFC push, Denver can’t afford coverage communication hiccups in the middle.
Broncos Get More Linebacker Bad News Before Jaguars Game