Denver Broncos All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller suffered a tendon injury in the ankle area during today’s practice that will require season ending surgery. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Miller’s MRI confirmed the Broncos’ initial fear – that the injury would cost the 31-year-old his 2020 season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned that a source close to the situation called t a “freak injury.”
Last season the Broncos lost their other star pass rusher, Bradley Chubb in Week 4 with a partially torn ACL that also required season-ending surgery. Without Chubb on the others side, Miller totaled only eight sacks on the year. In 2018, when both were on the field the dynamic duo totaled 26.5 sacks combined.
It’s unclear what the Broncos will do to replace Miller’s production. Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu are currently the next men up. Reed and Attaochu combined for 5.5 sacks last season.
With Jadeveon Clowney now off the market, there’s not much value out on the free agent market that could produce in a similar manner to Miller. A couple of possibilities could include Terrell Suggs or Clay Matthew, who are both capable of playing the outside linebacker position in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense.
Denver currently has $25.5 million in cap space entering the season. There’s also a possibility that the Broncos could make a trade for another pass rusher that could replace Miller in the long term.
Next season will be the final year on Miller’s current contract with a cap hit of over $22 million. If Denver were to release the Super Bowl 50 MVP it would only cost them $4.2 million on their 2021 cap. Unfortunately, not only is Miller probably out for the rest of this season, but this could be the final time we see the future Hall of Famer in a Denver Broncos uniform.
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