Brandon Johnson will not be a game-time decision after all.
The Broncos’ second-year wide receiver was placed on injured reserve Saturday with a hamstring issue, the team announced.
Johnson injured his hamstring late in Thursday’s practice, coach Sean Payton confirmed Friday. Payton thought perhaps the injury was minor enough that he’d have a chance to work out before the game Sunday against Kansas City. After Friday’s practice, the Broncos had him listed as questionable for the game.
Instead, though, he’ll miss at least the next four contests.
Johnson will be eligible to return Dec. 3 at Houston.
He had played in all seven games for Denver so far this season and had eight catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns.
The Broncos elevated wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith from the practice squad for the game against the Chiefs. It’s his first elevation since signing with Denver earlier this season. Smith, who played extensively for Payton in New Orleans, will likely be a candidate for the roster spot opening with Johnson on IR.
In five years with the Saints (four with Payton as coach), Smith had 131 catches for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns. Both Smith and Johnson arrived in the NFL from Central Florida.
Williams fined. Broncos running back Javonte Williams got hit with a $14,433 fine from the NFL for unnecessary roughness in Week 7 against Green Bay. The league ruled that Williams lowered his head into contact with Packers defensive back Keisean Nixon after catching a pass out of the backfield in the second quarter. The play did not draw a penalty when it happened.
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