Injury Bug Bites Another Broncos Pass-Catcher

Scheffler should be ready to make an impact this year. Photo Courtesy

Breaking news out of Denver today, as our first significant injury of this offseason has occured, leaving the Broncos vulnerable in the passing game yet again. Only a month or two after Rod Smith announced he would be having surgery for a long-ailing hip, Tony Scheffler suffered a broken foot during 7-on-7 drills late Friday afternoon. He will likely miss 2 months after he has surgery on Monday.

Scheffler looked very promising at the tight end spot last year (you should have heard the guys over at Sirius Fantasy Football swooning over the 240-lb. pass catcher). Some concern coming into this year involved his sudden weight gain – 20 lbs. since the season broke on Dec. 31. Since then he has lost 10-12 lbs., and was planning on losing another 5 or so before the season began.

He should be back in the saddle in time for training camp, with high expectations as he was one of Jay Cutler‘s favorite targets late last season. While not the best blocker in the world, he will be an integral part of our two tight end sets in long yardage and third down situations (apparently the plan is for Daniel Graham to be in on just about every down, with Stephen Alexander seeing more running plays and Scheffler adding his speed to passing plays).

While the timing and everything for such young players is key, and missing these two months of practice will hurt, Broncos fans should thank their lucky stars the injury wasn’t more serious. Full and speedy recovery wishes to you, Scheff.