Bradley Chubb To Miss Extended Time For Broncos

The Broncos will be without pass rusher Bradley Chubb for 6-8 weeks, as he underwent left ankle surgery today and has been placed on injured reserve per NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.

Pelissero said the timeline is best case scenario and that Chubb will be 100% when he returns. The injury is another setback for Chubb, 25, who suffered a torn ACL in 2019 before returning to his Pro Bowl form in 2020. Chubb had his fifth-year option exercised by the Broncos in April, but then received surgery on his right ankle during the summer. If you're keeping count, that's two separate ankle surgeries in a span of months.

You have to feel for Chubb, who has been mighty productive while playing in just 35 career games, racking up 20.5 sacks. Denver feels the loss as well, as fellow top pass rusher Von Miller will be without his sacking partner for the time being. Denver's defense has been the backbone behind its 2-0 start, ranking third in the NFL in total defense.

Head coach Vic Fangio's defense will turn to Malik Reed to fill the void. Reed has been a force in limited playing time and recorded eight sacks last season next to Chubb and Miller.

It's a hit for Denver, but they are certainly more adept than most to deal with a major injury.