HEADLINE

Broncos OT James to miss multiple weeks

Field Level Media

September 11, 2019 at 8:48 pm.

Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James will miss “at least a couple of weeks” with a left knee sprain, head coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday.

A report from 9News Denver said James’ absence will be “several weeks,” but the big free agent addition will avoid injured reserve, which would have kept him out for at least eight games.

James, who signed a four-year, $51 million contract with Denver in the spring, was hurt early in the second quarter of Monday night’s season opener against the Oakland Raiders. He was replaced by Elijah Wilkinson, who allowed two sacks over the final three quarters, according to STATS LLC.

Now in his sixth NFL campaign, the 27-year-old James has played all 16 games in a season just twice. He missed 18 games due to injury from 2015-18 with the Miami Dolphins.

Wilkinson, 24, made seven starts last season as an injury fill-in at right guard, though he is a tackle by trade. He allowed 3.5 sacks but did not commit any penalties.

On Sunday, Denver hosts the Chicago Bears and Khalil Mack, the former Defensive Player of the Year who rushes primarily off the offense’s right side.

Meanwhile, the Broncos placed wideout Tim Patrick on injured reserve with a broken hand and signed wideout River Cracraft to the active roster.

Patrick, 25, will have surgery but could be able to return later in the season. He had 23 catches for 315 yards and one touchdown in 16 games (four starts) last season.

Cracraft, 24, has one career catch. He’s worked primarily as a punt returner.

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