P.J. Locke knew something was wrong Oct. 23 during Denver’s practice but thought maybe he sprained his left wrist.
A simple move he’d done a million times led to pain, but he finished a defensive drill.
At one point he took a bad angle during the drill and clapped his hands in frustration.
Then he knew.
“I was like, ‘oh,’” he said. “I was like, ‘something’s wrong.’ So I took (my glove) off and it was dislocated.”
Locke dislocated his left thumb and had an avulsion fracture. It required surgery, but the exact nature of the injury meant just a two-week absence.
He was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice — he’s been practicing all week with a club on his left hand — and will play Sunday against Kansas City after missing the Broncos’ past two games.
“He had a good week,” head coach Sean Payton said Friday. “He’s feeling well. We’ll see where he’s at, but it was good to get him back on the field going and getting some defensive reps.”
Locke took it a step further.
“I think I dodged a bullet, honestly,” Locke said. “It could have been a lot worse. Where I had the fracture, it was the best-case scenario for a thumb.”
Locke will have to wear the club for several weeks going forward.
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“I gave him a hard time. I don’t know how good his hands are, to begin with,” Payton joked. “I do think he has good ball skills. I don’t think it will prohibit him.”
Locke laughed when asked if he’d heard about the caliber of his catching ability with his new setup.
“Sean is always trying to give me (grief), man,” Locke said. “He knows what’s up. That’s all I’ll say about that. It’s going to be a challenge, but hey, I’m up for it. They’ve got no excuses now. They can’t say, ‘he can’t catch.’ I’ve got a freaking cast on.”
Originally Locke was worried he would face a four-week absence or more. Trainers got his thumb back in place after the injury but imaging revealed more damage, so then surgery was necessary.
“Something so simple as far as a routine play,” Locke said. “I do that gesture a million times and it probably wouldn’t happen again. Just a freak accident, honestly.”
When he’s not on the field he sports a black cast that some of his teammates signed, like a middle schooler injured on the playground.
Those teammates will appreciate Locke being back on the field against the Chiefs.
“I just have that mindset of, ‘by any means necessary,’” Locke said. “Sean upholds us to that standard, too. If we can go, we can go. There might be some restrictions here and there, but it’s just playing assignment-sound football. … Other than that, just go out there and give it your all. I want to be part of something special and I think we have something special going here. I don’t think nobody wants to miss that.”
Roster machinations. The Broncos have one open spot on their 53-man roster after trading Baron Browning earlier this week. The natural candidate to fill it is inside linebacker Kwon Alexander, who has played extensively each of the past three games but cannot be elevated from the practice squad again.
The Broncos ruled linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) out, meaning neither will return from the physically unable to perform list. Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle), however, was listed as questionable, meaning he still could be activated from injured reserve Saturday.
If he does, the question will be whether he returns to the starting lineup or if Alex Forsyth continues on at center.
“(Forsyth) is smart. He’s exceptionally smart, which is a good trait for a center,” Payton said, without letting on whether Wattenberg will jump back into the lineup. “He’s durable, he’s physical. We felt in camp — he got so many reps with the No. 1s, that it was a real close battle.”
One natural way to clear a roster spot for Wattenberg would be to waive Calvin Throckmorton, who came up from the practice squad three times and has been on the 53-man roster for a week while Wattenberg was out, and hope to return him to the practice squad if he clears.
Another safe bet: Fullback Michael Burton will be elevated from the practice squad and play his normal role. He’s got one elevation left before he’d have to be returned to the 53-man roster.
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