EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 01: Noah Fant #87 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Avery Williamson #54 of the New York Jets during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium on October 01, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos have been crushed by injuries this season, and star tight end Noah Fant looks like he’s the latest victim.
At 3-6, the Denver Broncos aren’t going anywhere. The only thing left in 2020 is to continue development of the young players such as tight end Noah Fant and quarterback Drew Lock.
However, it appears that might not happen this Sunday at home against the Miami Dolphins.
Lock is dealing with a significant bruising problem in his ribs after throwing four interceptions in a 37-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. While he has not been ruled out, the expectation is he will be on the sideline once again.
The second-year quarterback could be joined by one of his best weapons in Fant, who did not practice on Wednesday. He has been dealing with an ankle injury intermittently the entire season. The former first-round pick out of Iowa has played in eight games this year, catching 35 passes for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Without him, the Broncos are down to their third-string tight end, as backup Albert Okwuegbunam is out for the remainder of the campaign with a torn ACL.
Denver is trying to avoid its fifth-straight season of missing the playoffs, and fourth consecutive losing slate. However, barring a miraculous turnaround that might include having to win out for the former, the Broncos aren’t going to be successful in either quest.
The Dolphins come into the game as 3.5-point favorites, having won their last five games, the previous three behind rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.