Bryce

Callahan

Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and cornerback Bryce Callahan are also listed as doubtful. None of the three defenders are expected to play. James has been off the field for two of the Chargers’ defensive snaps this year. His loss is a tremendous blow to LA’s secondary and makes an exciting matchup even better for Tua Tagovailoa and company.

Callahan played fairly well for Vic Fangio in Denver after being ported over from Chicago in free agency; he just couldn’t stay healthy. He managed just 655 defensive snaps in 2020 and 504 in 2021 over 21 games. The Chargers are fairly set with JC Jackson, Michael Davis, and Asante Samuel at corner. Callahan will be a depth piece, and perhaps play a role on pure passing downs.

Callahan went down with a knee injury back in Week 8, but he was always expected to return this season. Playing quality snaps as the slot corner before going down, Callahan’s return will boost Denver’s defense. The Broncos will also get back DB Michael Ojemudia (hamstring) and LB Micah Kiser (groin) from injured reserve this week.

Denver specified that Callahan will not require surgery for the knee injury he suffered in Week 8, but he is expected to miss a significant amount of time. League rules mandate that he misses at least the next three games after being placed on injured reserve. It’s a minor hit to the Broncos’ secondary.

“Foot injury” and “Bryce Callahan” has almost become synonymous since he signed with Denver. He missed all of last season with foot complications after injuring it in his last season with the Bears. Callahan again went down in Week 12 and will miss at least the next three weeks.

Callahan has played nearly every span for the Broncos defense this year and has two interceptions. With Bouye and Callahan out, Matt Ryan is facing one of the most depleted cornerback units in the league this week. He and Julio Jones are both locked-in fantasy starters versus Denver.

“On the medical side, he’s ready to go,” DC Ed Donatell said Thursday. “He’s running full speed. He’ll be right in our camp and ready to go. He’s been totally engaged.” Signed to a three-year, $21 million deal in March 2019, Callahan missed the entire season after a 2018 injury lingered and lingered. He has since restructured his contract. Although he is going on 29 and coming off a lost season, the Broncos have kept Callahan penciled in as a starter in their Chris Harris-less secondary.

“We’re hopeful that things are coming along and he’ll be ready by the time we get to training camp,” Elway said. 28-year-old Callahan was signed to a lofty three-year, $21 million deal last offseason but failed to log a single snap following a season-ending foot injury (then a setback) suffered during OTAs. Nearly a full calendar year after the fact, it’s somewhat concerning Callahan’s status is even up in the air at this point. He’ll default as the team’s starting slot corner if cleared in time for camp.

The move frees up $1.8 million in cap space. This doesn’t come as a surprise after Callahan missed the entire 2019 season. Callahan will make $5 million in 2020 with another $2 million available through incentives.

Callahan was signed to a three-year, $21 million deal in the 2019 offseason, but ultimately failed to play a single snap in the regular season. The former Bears slot corner thrived in Broncos coach Vic Fangio’s scheme in 2017 and 2018. The expected return of both Callahan and stud OLB Bradley Chubb will be great news for this Broncos defense.