Steven Johnson is not officially the Broncos’ new starting middle linebacker. But he’s not much of a secret, either.
“Stevey Johnson is going to be able to get the job done,” said Broncos cornerback Chris Harris, a college teammate of Johnson’s at Kansas. “He’s been in our defense going on three years now. He has experience in there. He’s been waiting for his shot. Now he has his shot. We’ve been needing him on special teams since he’s been hurt, but now he has a shot to play and he has a chance to show what he can do.”
Johnson had a bum left ankle that caused him to miss the past two games, but he’s back this week. And just in time, as Nate Irving is out, having suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the loss at New England on Sunday. There is hope Irving can avoid the season-ending injured reserve list, although the Broncos caution the severe swelling in his right knee must subside before the medical team can make a more conclusive determination.
Until then, Irving is expected to be down for several weeks. He had so much swelling and pain after the game Sunday, members of the Broncos’ medical team had to help him pull his pants beyond his knee in the locker room.
A third-round draft pick in 2011, Irving took a while to develop until he emerged as a starting middle linebacker in this, his fourth season with the Broncos.
The injury occurred on a running play by New England’s Shane Vereen with 8:43 left in the game.
“It’s kind of messed up — I know what Nate is going through,” Johnson said. “I’ve been through something like that before, a bad knee injury. We have to be there for him and pick him up. I know you can get real down when you get hurt like that. But I’m sure he’ll bounce back and be back in no time.”
“I don’t remember how it happened,” Irving said as he hobbled out of Gillette Stadium on crutches Sunday night. “Not a good break. Not a good day.”
Broncos coach John Fox said Monday he had not yet decided whether he would replace Irving with Johnson, a third-year undrafted player from Kansas, or Lamin Barrow, a fifth-round rookie from Louisiana State, as the team’s new starting middle linebacker.
Johnson, a special-teams regular, missed the past two games with a left ankle injury, but he is expected to practice on a full-time basis this week. He has more experience than Barrow, although the rookie runs better.
“We’re real deep at linebacker,” Johnson said. “Everybody we have in our room is able to step up and play at any time. If it’s my turn to step up, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m ready for it. I’m ready to get back on track.”
Whoever they choose as their next man up, it has been a tough season for Broncos linebackers. Danny Trevathan, a starting weakside linebacker and the team’s leading tackler last season, has played only one full game because of two fractures around his left kneecap. Trevathan isn’t expected back until the Broncos’ 14th game, Dec.14 at San Diego.
He has been replaced by Brandon Marshall, who has emerged as the team’s new leading tackler, and now the Broncos will have to again reach into their second unit to replace Irving, who was the second-leading tackler.
“We will adjust,” Fox said.
The only starting linebacker who has stayed healthy is Von Miller, who plays on the strong side and primarily is a pass rusher.
Mike Klis: mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
Next man up
Broncos middle linebacker Nate Irving suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament Sunday at New England and will miss an undetermined amount of time. Denver Post beat reporter Mike Klis looks at two possible replacements for Irving:
Steven Johnson
6-foot-1, 237 pounds
Undrafted in 2012, Kansas
Notable: Tied for second on the team last season with seven special-teams tackles and blocked one punt, which he returned for a touchdown.
Lamin Barrow
6-1, 237
Fifth round in 2014, LSU
Notable: Helped fill in for Irving on Sunday. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds at the NFL combine and has good instincts.
Eye on… The Raiders
Broncos at Raiders, 2:05 p.m. Sunday, KCNC-4
For the record: The Raiders’ commitment to awfulness remains unrivaled. They have lost 14 consecutive games dating to last season, including eight this year. And they have dropped 15 consecutive against teams with a winning record.
Last game: Oakland lost to the reigning NFL champion Seahawks on the road 30-24.
Who’s hot: Oakland’s special teams provided a puncher’s chance of an upset in Seattle. Denico Autry blocked a punt that was pounced on for a touchdown, and T.J. Carrie returned a punt 27 yards to set up a late touchdown pass.
Who’s not: Rookie quarterback Derek Carr continues to make, um, rookie mistakes. He threw two interceptions that paved the way for the Seahawks to take a 24-3 halftime lead. Carr has shown enough promise to suggest he’s the future for the Raiders.
Key stat: Functioning in one dimension is not making it easy for Carr. Oakland can’t run the ball. At least not very well. The Raiders have only two rushing touchdowns, a league low. And their average of 3.5 yards per carry ranks fourth-worst.
FYI: Tony Sparano is 0-4 as Oakland’s coach, same as Dennis Allen’s record this year when he was fired. Allen was the Broncos’ defensive coordinator before taking the Oakland job. Coachspeak: “We’re just going to keep working at it. The thing is starting to turn. We are playing better and better.” — Sparano, after the Seahawks needed to recover an onside kick to clinch their victory over the Raiders
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
