What’s next for the Denver Broncos after Tim Patrick’s injury?
Tragedy struck during the Denver Broncos training camp at the start of August, with the indispensable Tim Patrick suffering a nasty ACL injury. The wide receiver could be out for the entirety of the season, in a huge blow to the Broncos’ ambitions. Patrick has been a standout performer over the last couple of years, growing into the full-time starter role he earned in 2020.
He was integral to the Broncos’ offense last season, so fans are understandably concerned. The young and inexperienced head coach Nathaniel Hackett now has quite the task on his hands, especially without legendary players like Von Miller, who was traded last year.
Patrick’s injury also changes the way sports bettors look at the Denver Broncos. His absence from the offense makes the franchise a less appealing pick for high-scoring games, and has damaged their chances of reaching the Super Bowl. Regardless of how you bet, make sure to use football betting promo codes to claim options like free bets or deposit match offers.
These promotions can be even more useful in situations like this, where it remains to be seen whether Patrick’s injury will seriously affect the Broncos. Stay with us as we find out what’s next for the team without their star wide receiver.
Tim Patrick: a player overview
Tim Patrick joined the Denver Broncos in October 2017 after being waived by the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. He had a promising college football spell in Utah but entered the NFL as an undrafted player. Patrick spent a couple of years at the Broncos without being a full-time starter, solidifying himself as part of the first team in 2020.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time that injuries have jeopardized Patrick’s career. Had it not been for a few serious injuries in his college years, the talented wide receiver would have almost certainly been a top pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. As it happened, he had to fight for a place in the league, with the Ravens and 69ers deciding against keeping him before the Broncos snapped him up for their practice team.
2020 as Patrick’s breakout year for the Broncos, in which he established himself as a key part of the team. He caught 51 out of 74 throws, ran 742 yards and scored six touchdowns. His stats for 2021 were similar, with 53-of-83, 734 yards and five touchdowns. Many experts were tipping him for an even more successful season this time around, so his potentially season-ending ACL injury is a huge shame.
Is Patrick’s season already over?
Tim Patrick tore his ACL during training camp after an athletic jumping catch. Landing awkwardly on the knee can be devastating for the fittest players, and unfortunately, Patrick’s predisposition to injury did him no favors here. But is his season over before it even begins?
It’s a tough one to call, but ACL injuries generally take several months to come back from. Most people will agree that Patrick is seriously unlikely to play this season, but with the right rehabilitation and training regime, he might be back for the playoffs. Realistically, though, we’re not expecting to see Patrick play for the Broncos this year.
Who can fill Tim Patrick’s boots for the season ahead?
Broncos fans have resigned themselves to a season without Tim Patrick. While it’s a kick in the teeth, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the end of the world. Fantasy Football enthusiasts with Patrick in their teams may want to follow some top draft strategies to replace him before it’s too late. As for the real-life Broncos, there are a few players who will need to step up to fill the void.
For example, K.J. Hamler has the potential to make the wide receiver position his own, but the Broncos must be careful as he has only just recovered from a season-ending ACL injury of his own, which he suffered last year. Kendall Hinton doesn’t quite have the technical ability of Hamler, but his speed and quick feet would be valuable assets in the vacant wide receiver berth.
Otherwise, the Broncos could choose to put their faith in Brandon Johnson, an exciting undrafted rookie from Florida, who has been impressive in the third team. Johnson still has a huge amount to learn and has a few veterans ahead of him in the pecking order. But you never know – with a solid run in the team, this young starlet could be exactly what the Broncos need to get over Tim Patrick’s absence.
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