According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are activating outside linebacker/edge rusher Jonathon Cooper and rookie running back Jonah Coleman. Cooper spent the first six weeks of the season on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while Coleman missed the past four games due to a high-ankle sprain.
To make room for these two players, the Broncos are reportedly placing outside linebacker/edge rusher Jonah Elliss and running back Tyler Badie on the short-term injured reserve. Elliss suffered
a lower-body injury late in last week’s victory over the Seahawks on Thursday Night, but the injury is not considered season-ending. Also, Badie suffered a thumb injury in the same game and will be out a minimum of four weeks.
Adding Cooper will boost a Denver Broncos defense that has struggled at times to set the edge against the run. It remains to be seen if Cooper will be eased into action, but his impact should be felt right away. With Elliss sidelined, I would expect promising second-year edge rusher Que Robinson to get plenty of snaps, as well as reserve edge rusher Dondrea Tillman.
As for Jonah Coleman, he flashed his potential in Week 2 vs. the Jaguars. Harvey was sidelined, and Dobbins left the game, so Coleman, who suffered a high-ankle sprain earlier, was tasked with starting at running back for the Broncos. Not only did he play well, but he also iced the game late for the Broncos and showed off his intelligence and toughness in that game. With the Broncos’ run game struggling, the rookie could provide a boost there and, hopefully, spark a struggling Broncos offense that will be looking to get back on track vs. the Cardinals.
Cooper and Coleman are expected to be big pieces for the Broncos in the second half of the season and will look to improve on some weaknesses the team has displayed through the first half of the season. Cooper should help stabilize the Broncos’ run defense while adding a boost to their pass rush, and Coleman could potentially be the Broncos’ lead running back sooner rather than later.
