Denver Broncos rookie tight end Albert Okwuegbunam will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, coach Vic Fangio said on Monday.
Okwuegbunam was injured after making a catch against in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
“The fortunate thing of it is it’s just the ACL and the ACL only,” Fangio told reporters. “Many times when you get an ACL, it involves some other ligaments. His rehab and repair should go clean and he should be back as good as new next season.”
Okwuegbunam caught 11 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown. He was a fourth-round draft choice from Missouri.
Denver also lost tight end Noah Fant during the game with an ankle injury. But Fangio is hopeful Fant will play this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Right tackle Demar Dotson (groin) also was hurt versus Atlanta with Fangio optimistic he also will be able to play.
There also is a solid chance that starting cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (ankle) and A.J. Bouye (concussion) will return after sitting out against the Falcons.
Also, defensive end Shelby Harris and guard Graham Glasgow are expected to be removed from the reserve/COVID-19 list and return to practice on Wednesday.
The Broncos have dealt with a slew of injuries all season, including season-ending ones to linebacker Von Miller (ankle), defensive tackles Jurrell Casey (biceps) and Mike Purcell (foot) and receiver Courtland Sutton (shoulder).
Fangio said the team can’t get caught up in feeling sorry for itself under the circumstances.
“You just have to deal with it,” Fangio said. “A good carpenter doesn’t blame his tools, he’s just got to go get the job done and that’s my mindset. … I love all our players, they’re out there busting their ass … it’s my job to give us solutions that will lead us to wins.”