Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett plans to see how the week plays out before making a decision on whether quarterback Russell Wilson can play in Sunday’s game against the host Arizona Cardinals.
Wilson sustained a concussion during the fourth quarter of last weekend’s 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We’re taking it day by day,” Hackett told reporters before Wednesday’s practice.
The Broncos listed Wilson as “DNP” — Did Not Practice — on Wednesday but he reportedly took part in some individual drills.
Wilson is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will have to be cleared by an independent neurologist to play against the Cardinals.
Hackett said Wilson is showing signs of progress.
“We’re just following the protocol exactly how we need to and making sure that we increase his physical activity appropriately as the NFL has listed it out,” Hackett said.
How Denver proceeds this week will be interesting to watch. The Broncos (3-10) have lost five straight games and have been eliminated from AFC playoff consideration.
“In the end, his safety is what matters most to us,” Hackett said. “We want to be sure that we are taking care of him and all of his well-being. We’re doing what’s right for Russell. It always starts right away with the medical department. We have a really good medical department and an independent neurologist (involved in the decision).
“We’re going to be sure that we are in constant communication with them. He’s being monitored by everybody, and we’ll go from there. We’ll talk with him, and it will be an organizational decision.”
Wilson has endured a rough first campaign after being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the offseason. He has completed a career-low 60.4 percent of his passes and has thrown a career-low 11 touchdown passes.
Brett Rypien is being prepared to start if Russell isn’t cleared. The fourth-year pro completed 4-of-8 passes for 16 yards, one touchdown and one interception after he replaced Wilson against the Chiefs.
Rypien has made two NFL starts with one coming in Week 7 when Wilson was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Rypien was 24 of 46 for 225 yards and one interception in a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets.
“From an improvement standpoint, let’s get him out in practice and let’s get him back in the groove so that he can go out there and execute,” Hackett said. “He did a good job against the Jets. There are things that he can correct, and he knows that. We’ll see where he goes.”
Also missing practice on Wednesday were receivers Courtland Sutton and Kendall Hinton — both with hamstring injuries — and defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (hip). Sutton was inactive against the Chiefs.
The Broncos also placed linebacker Jacob Martin (knee) on injured reserve.
–Field Level Media
