Broncos Star Von Miller Hurt More Than Just His Ankle Thursday Night

Broncos edge rusher Von Miller is looking a lot like the thirty-something neighbor who tells you he would've won state senior year if not for the crooked refs. But to Miller's credit, he seems to recognize as much. After smack-talking the Browns earlier in the week, Miller was forced to leave Cleveland with an injured ankle and a bruised ego to go along with a team loss.

"My pride hurts more than anything," said Miller after the loss.

Miller, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, had big plans for Thursday night, telling the media earlier this week: “I don’t know who the tackle is that I’m going against, but I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill him and the other guy on the other side. I’m going to play extremely well. I’m going to make plays for my team. I’m going to set us up to win this game.”

Turns out, the only thing Miller killed was his own ego. Before leaving with a second-quarter ankle injury, Miller played the role of quiet assassin, minus the assassin part. He registered one tackle, mostly lining up across from Cleveland backup OL Blake Hance, who was filling in for starter Jack Conklin.

"I talked a lot of shit before this game," said Miller. "I wanted that animosity. … I feel like I was on the way to doing some big things.”

Instead, Miller mostly had to watch as the Cleveland offensive line paved the way for a 17-14 win. Cleveland running back D'Ernest Johnson rushed for a career-high 146 yards, and quarterback Case Keenum was rarely pressured.

"Hats off to those guys," Miller added.

Denver next plays on Halloween afternoon versus Washington, allowing Miller's ankle and ego ample time to heal before he plots his next kill.

 

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