Baron

Browning

Johnson and LB Baron Browning (concussion) remained sidelined all week. The team is also without LB Mack Wilson (ribs). The three defenders will be missed against the 49ers, whose offensive health is improving. Both QB Brock Purdy (toe) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) will return to action this week.

Johnson missed Week 10 with back/hip issues and is trending to miss Week 11 as well. Also not practicing on the defense were LB Baron Browning (concussion), LB Mack Wilson (ribs), or S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle). The Cardinals defense is hurting heading into a Week 11 matchup against the 49ers and each of these players will need to log a practice to have a chance to play.

Browning was traded to the Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round pick at last year’s trade deadline. Last season, Browning totaled 21 tackles, two sacks, and five TFLs while splitting time between the Broncos and Cardinals, and has never totaled more than five sacks in a season. Now under contract through 2026, Browning will hope to provide more production next season to a Cardinals defense that jumped from 31st to 15th in points allowed from 2023 to 2024.

Browning was activated from injured reserve last month after dealing with a knee injury he suffered in Week 2. The fourth-year linebacker has totaled 9.5 sacks in 43 career games and tallied 4.5 sacks last season. The Cardinals hope Browning can add to a pass rush that currently ranks 13th in the league in sacks with 21.

Browning played in the Broncos’ first two games of the season before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. His return will give the Broncos an added pass-rusher, as Browning has totaled 9.5 sacks and 12 TFLs over the last two seasons.

The Broncos’ hope is to get Browning back at some point during the preseason. That would be a best case scenario after Browning underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus this month. A more likely timetable would put Browning in a race to get cleared for Week 1. Denver can move Browning slowly after they signed ex-Chiefs DE Frank Clark.

The sudden uncertainty around Browning does help explain the Frank Clark signing a bit more. Browning, who had five sacks last year in a more EDGE-centric role, will be a training camp injury to monitor.

Browning has yet to practice since suffering a sprained hip in Week 7. Denver’s EDGE corps will be in rough shape without him and Bradley Chubb as they come back from their Week 9 bye against the Titans.

Browning is set for an MRI tomorrow. Browning came into the game with a 73.9 PFF rating and especially flashed as a pass rusher against the Colts in Week 5. He did not appear in the Week 7 box score for the Broncos. It would be a significant loss for the Broncos if Browning were to miss major time.

It was announced on the broadcast that Browning was questionable to return, but the Broncos EDGE reportedly went to the locker room to undergo X-rays on his wrist. Browning’s exit came in the middle of the fourth quarter. Even if Browning did dodge a major injury, his return in this one seems unlikely given the time left in the game.