Hunter to injured reserve; Wolfe to replace him

(BroncoTalk.net)

Offensive guard Chris Kuper was not the only Bronco that went down with an injury during practice yesterday; defensive end Jason Hunter also suffered a torn right triceps.  According to the Denver Post‘s Mike Klis, Hunter will likely miss the entire season due to the injury.

Barring a medical miracle, Jason Hunter is not likely to play in 2012.  The Broncos’ starting defensive end suffered a torn right triceps during an early training camp drill Tuesday.

Hunter (6-4, 271 lbs.) is a seventh-year pro who had jumped fellow defensive end Robert Ayers (6-3, 274 lbs.) for a starting position during training camp.  Hunter, a “LDE” on Denver’s depth chart, is backed-up by rookie defensive lineman Derek Wolfe (6-5, 300 lbs.).

During Wednesday’s practice, Elvis Dumervil (5-11, 260 lbs.) started at RDE with Ayers behind him and Wolfe starting on the other side of the D-line.  A similar first-team rotation is expected for Saturday’s preseason Week 2 match against Seattle later in the week.

Other Broncos not participating in Wednesday’s practice were cornerbacks Champ Bailey and Tracy Porter (illness); linebackers D.J. Williams, Keith Brooking (hamstring) and Danny Trevathan (ankle); running back Ronnie Hillman (hamstring); wide receiver Tyler Grisham (knee); and defensive tackle Ty Warren.

Warren was excused for a family matter, Bailey attended practice in street clothes while not listed on the injury report and Williams was attending his DUI trial from a December 2010 incident (the trial had been delayed several times).  Williams was found guilty of DWAI (more on that to come shortly).

It’s a tough break for Hunter and the Broncos defensive line.  But it is a situation that could thrust Wolfe into action sooner than some may have expected.  Time will tell how the rookie handles the increased workload.