Broncos-Lions Final Injury Report: OLB Nik Bonitto Out

One of the hallmarks of the Denver Broncos' current 6-1 run has been the team's ability to stay healthy. Staving off the injury bug isn't easy in the NFL, especially since the schedule increased to a 17-game regular season. 

The changes and hirings that head coach Sean Payton made in Denver have made a world of difference. However, no team is completely impervious to the vagaries of that virulent bug, and if the Broncos are going to continue to stay alive in the AFC playoff gauntlet, they'll need that injury good fortune to continue. 

Against the Detroit Lions this week, though, the Broncos will be without a key player who's contributed mightily to the team's turnaround. While that stings, the ruled-out player in question is expected to return soon, which is a vast departure from the who's who list of starters that have stacked up on Denver's injured reserve by December in the recent past. 

Meanwhile, the Lions, despite losing two of their last three games, are mostly healthy entering Week 15. Let's dive into the final Broncos-Lions injury report for Saturday night's tilt at Ford Field.

Broncos

Out

• Nik Bonitto | OLB | Knee 
• Greg Dulcich | TE | Hamstring/Foot (IR)

Questionable

• P.J. Locke | S | Neck

Full Go

• Mike Purcell | DT | NIR-Rest
• Jonathon Cooper | OLB | Ankle
• Chris Manhertz | TE | NIR-Rest
• Quinn Meinerz | OG | Illness
• Samaje Perine | RB | Knee/NIR-Rest

Analysis: As disappointing as it is to see Dulcich ruled out of this game, after the Broncos started his clock with full participation in Wednesday's practice, he's still on IR, where he's languished for the past two months. He's been active in only two games this season. 

Dulcich's lingering injury? That hamstring. The Broncos fully expected him to practice all week with an eye toward activating him to the roster in time for Saturday's action. But as it so often goes with injury-prone players, he seemingly suffered another ding in that full-go practice, as he's now listed with a foot on top of the hamstring, which wasn't there on Wednesday. 

Bonitto's absence is the one that might sting Denver, as mentioned in my above preamble. He leads the team in sacks with seven, which means the Broncos will need Baron Browning to convert all these fantastic pressures into production in Detroit. 

With Cooper also banged up but fully cleared to play, it'll be interesting to see how the Broncos solve for outside linebacker depth in this one, especially after waiving Ronnie Perkins. Expect undrafted rookie Thomas Incoom to get the nod. 

It's relieving to see Meinerz listed as a full go for Week 15 after he was taken to the hospital last Sunday in L.A. with an irregular heartbeat. His heart issue quickly stabilized under observation of medical staff, and he's been good to go since. But keep an eye on the Meinerz situation because he's played at a Pro Bowl level this year. 

Lastly, Locke's neck injury is a big concern because the Broncos are still a week out from Kareem Jackson returning from his four-game suspension. Locke has been a dynamic playmaker for the Broncos in relief of Jackson, and if he doesn't suit up on Saturday, the Lions will definitely look to exploit Delarrin Turner-Yell, as every other team has when the second-year safety has been called upon this year.