When the Denver Broncos set their initial 53-man roster this weekend, a pair of offensive linemen could be candidates to begin the season on injury lists.
Backup guard/center Nick Gargiulo (knee) seems likely to be moved from the active/phsyically unable to perform list to the reserve/PUP list, which would rule him out for at least the first four games of the season.
Meanwhile, backup offensive tackle Frank Crum (leg) could be a candidate for short-term injured reserve. Crum "figures to be out two to four weeks," according to KUSA-TV's Mike Klis. Denver can place up to two players on short-term IR when they set the initial 53-man roster, and those players are eligible to return after four games.
If he's sidelined for two weeks from today, Crum
could perhaps return in time for Week 2. If it's four weeks from today, Crum might be ready for Week 4. If he goes on short-term IR, Crum wouldn't be eligible to play until Week 5.
As the Broncos juggle the roster numbers, Crum's health will be a key consideration. If he goes on IR, that will open up another roster spot, but Crum might be healthy sooner than the four-game window. That's just one of the many tough decisions Denver's front office will have to make this weekend.
Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos' backup lineman might be a candidate for short-term IR
