The Denver Broncos have lost wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders for the season with a torn Achilles. Sanders was running routes unopposed in practice when he went down and was helped off the field. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the injury on Twitter earlier today.
Broncos believe that WR Emmanuel Sanders tore his Achilles during practice today, per source. Team usually can tell right away, but it will conduct tests on Sanders to confirm. But early belief is torn Achilles.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2018
Schefter also described how the Sanders went down in practice.
Broncos’ WR Emmanuel Sanders was running routes against air for the QBs to get throws in. Uncovered, on a short route, Sanders went down. It looked like he knew right away. He took his helmet off immediately, rolled it away from him and trainers checked his left ankle/lower leg.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 5, 2018
The Broncos confirmed the injury after Sanders had an MRI after practice.
WR Emmanuel Sanders has an Achilles injury and will miss the rest of the season.
RT to join us in wishing him a speedy recovery. ? pic.twitter.com/BUkWCSxdIm
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 5, 2018
In response to losing Sanders, the Broncos claimed former Bills wide receiver, Andre Holmes.
Timing is everything: Source says the #Broncos claimed former #Bills WR Andre Holmes.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2018
The Broncos currently sit at 6-6 and with an easy schedule coming up they were looking to make a run at the wildcard in the playoffs. Emmanuel Sanders has 868 yards on 71 receptions with four touchdowns this season. He led a receiving core that traded away Demaryius Thomas to the Texans earlier this season.
That depth will now be missed as they begin to close out the season with a receiving group that, even with the addition of Holmes, lacks top-end talent. If the Broncos want to keep pace in the AFC wildcard race, wide receiver Courtland Sutton and tight end Jeff Heuerman will have to step up and become viable weapons for quarterback Case Keenum.
