The Denver Broncos will open their preseason slate this Saturday night when they face the San Francisco 49ers on the road.
While the Broncos want to evaluate as many players as possible in that game as they get closer to putting forth their initial 53-man roster, the main goal will be to get out of the game unscathed. While the Broncos have had great fortune in the injury department in recent years, one player going down can change the complexion of an entire season.
Heading into that game, here is where things sit for some players on the roster.
Drew Sanders, LB: Sanders, who could ill-afford another injury, suffered one in one of the first practices of training camp. The Broncos have a lot of questions at the inside linebacker position and Sanders' future in Denver is certainly up in the air at this point.
He did have surgery on his injured foot, and Sean Payton stated that his recovery time is "north of four to six weeks". It seems that Sanders could miss up to two months of action, which would put him out into the regular season. For a player who needed as many reps as he could get this summer, that is less than ideal.
A.T. Perry, WR: A.T. Perry began training camp on the PUP list and has yet to take part in a single practice. Since he came to the league, there has been a lot of hype surrounding him, but he's never been able to put enough of that into anything that truly matters.
On a team that has seen some big plays made by undrafted rookies in training camp, Perry is likely not going to be long for Denver.
READ: Inside linebacker options for Broncos to consider acquiring before season kicks off
Johnny Walker, Jr., Edge: Johnny Walker, one of the more intriguing undrafted signees in this year's class for the Broncos, has been placed on injured reserve with what was only described as a lower body injury. His season is over. He will have a chance to be back next summer and take a crack at the 53-man roster.
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