As we know, Denver Broncos all-pro kick returner Marvin Mims Jr. has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans as he moves through the concussion protocol. However, what we didn’t know was that he wasn’t even supposed to be in the game when he went down with that concussion. The reason he was in there was due to a communication error between the coaching staff.
Head Coach Sean Payton was asked about how that might have happened and he chalked it up to there being a lot of subbing going on and one was missed that, unfortunately, resulted in that player’s injury.
“Yes, so listen, let’s be clear,” Payton said on Friday. “We were at that stage of the game where we were making changes. Everyone doesn’t get to come out because you have 40-some players, and we’re subbing, so there was a switch there. No, we’re good. Darren [Rizzi] has been outstanding.”
I get why Payton would gloss things over, but this isn’t the first time special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has drawn the ire of fans this season. The whole trying to block a 60-yard field goal resulting in an asinine leverage penalty comes to mind. I would imagine there isn’t too many substitutions being called for at the end of games on special teams units. Maybe one or two starters at best, so I’m not sure I buy the explanation.
In any case, I’m just a fan and looking for a reason to complain because Marvin Mims is a guy who causes issues for both defenses and special teams. Now that’s going to missing for a critical road game. Hopefully he’ll continue to progress in the right direction is back on the field sooner rather than later, and hopefully the next time an order comes through to sub a player it is heard and listened to.
What do you all think? Is this a no big deal or just another annoyance stacked upon a growing list of annoyances? I’m leaning annoyances. I certainly don’t think we have a ‘problem’ yet, but we seem to be trending in that direction.
