Dre Greenlaw, Questionable for Broncos Debut
The hope that existed at the beginning of the week regarding the participation of Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans vanished on Friday. Greenlaw, one of the Broncos’ most prominent additions in free agency this year, was officially ruled out for the first game due to a hamstring injury. Although Greenlaw practiced on Monday, he did not participate for the rest of the week. Coach Sean Payton has declined to specify whether Greenlaw aggravated the injury suffered in training camp or if it is another physical setback. Greenlaw did not participate in the Broncos’ preseason program due to a hamstring injury suffered during training, but Payton assured at the time that Greenlaw would not miss time in the regular season. Subsequently, he suffered an injury to the same hamstring in training camp, which Payton described as “different” from the original injury, and did not play in the preseason.Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, who left Thursday’s practice due to a calf injury, has also been ruled out for the opening game. The three-year, $31.5 million contract that Greenlaw signed in March was the second-largest deal the Broncos gave to a free agent from another team this year. Justin Strnad, who started eight games last season, is expected to take some of the snaps in the base defense in place of Greenlaw. Greenlaw has dealt with injuries in recent years, playing only three and two games in the 2021 and 2024 seasons, respectively. The most serious injury was a rupture of the left Achilles tendon in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at the end of the 2023 season. Greenlaw didn’t return to the field until December 12 of last season, where he recorded eight tackles in 30 snaps against the Rams. A week later, he suffered a calf injury after four snaps in Miami, and San Francisco ruled him out for the rest of the year.He hasn’t played in the preseason, but he’s worked hard. We’re being smart. We’re being conservative in terms of approach. It’s a long season. The most important thing is that he’s healthy not just at the beginning, but throughout the season… With each player, you have to treat them based on injuries, injury history, and the position they play. And yes, is there always risk when you line up playing a position like that? There certainly is, but he’s very much in tune with what we’re doing.
Sean Payton
