“49ers dodged a bullet”: NFL fans react as Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw gets sidelined for 4 weeks with injury
The Denver Broncos will be without one of their key defenders for the next few weeks. On Saturday, linebacker Dre Greenlaw was placed on injured reserve (IR) due to a quad injury. The team announced that Greenlaw is expected to return by Week 7, when the Broncos face the New York Giants.
Reported by Tom Pelissero, “The #Broncos are placing LB Dre Greenlaw on injured reserve because of his quad injury, as @ZacStevensDNVR said. He’s eligible to return Week 7 vs. the #Giants.”
### Fan and Analyst Reactions
As soon as the news broke, reactions flooded in from fans and analysts alike. Many expressed disappointment, given Greenlaw’s reputation as a strong defensive presence. Comments included:
– “That really sucks. Greenlaw is such a great player.”
– “That’s just sad, man.”
– “Hopefully he heals up soon.”
– “They should have put him on IR to begin with; now we’re stuck with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad for at least four more weeks.”
– “Hopefully the nostalgia has worn off and people realize the 49ers made the right decision.”
### Greenlaw’s Injury and Impact
Greenlaw joined the Broncos this offseason on a three-year, $35 million contract but has yet to play a single game due to this recurring quad injury. He even missed offseason training because of it.
On Wednesday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton gave a cautious update regarding Greenlaw’s status:
“We felt like he’s kind of on our schedule. It’s a little nebulous relative to the injury. That’s all I’ll say.”
This approach contrasts with the optimism Payton showed earlier this month when he emphasized the importance of Greenlaw’s health for the Broncos’ aspirations:
“We are being smart. We’re being conservative relative to the approach. It’s a long season. So most importantly, having him not only healthy early on but for the long haul is the goal.”
### Justin Strnad to Step Up
In light of Greenlaw’s injury, the Broncos have made roster adjustments. Fullback Adam Prentice and linebacker Garrett Wallow have been elevated from the practice squad to bolster depth. However, the biggest changes will be seen in the starting linebacker lineup.
Justin Strnad, mostly a backup for his career, will be starting for the second time this season. He and fellow linebacker Alex Singleton struggled with pass coverage, particularly against rookie tight end Tyler Warren during the Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Sean Payton remarked on their challenges, saying:
“A part of it was, when you have that balance, there’s conflict: run play, pass, dropback pass. So, I think being more efficient on first down can calm it down.”
Other linebackers available for the Broncos include Karene Reid, Levelle Bailey, and Jordan Turner.
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### About the Author
**Andre Castillo** is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda with over seven years of experience. He holds a Bachelor’s degree and has covered MMA, wrestling, and automobiles for various media outlets. An avid follower of the New York Jets and Washington Commanders, Andre’s favorite NFL position is tight end, admiring players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce. He is also a licensed professional teacher, with hobbies including watching UFC and MotoGP, playing piano, and traveling.
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