Broncos running back Samaje Perine is questionable to play in Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury.
Perine was a full participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being held out on Friday afternoon.
He is the only player with a game designation, as every other player is healthy and good to go for the Broncos’ crucial road game.
If Perine is unable to play, that’s a significant loss for the Broncos. The former Washington and Cincinnati running back has been a key target for quarterback Russell Wilson. Through 12 games, the 28-year-old has 35 catches for a career-best 342 receiving yards while averaging 9.8 yards per catch.
For the Chargers, wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ruled) has been ruled out after being a limited participant for two straight days. Palmer, who has 377 receiving yards and a touchdown, hasn’t played since Week 8.
Cornerback Deane Leonard (ankle/heel) will also be sidelined after starting in the last two games for Los Angeles.
Surtain named NFLPA Community MVP: Third-year cornerback Pat Surtain II was named the Week 14 NFLPA Community MVP after he surprised two Title I high schools with grants totaling $100,000 to build his foundation’s first two “Inspiration STEAM Rooms.”
The NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his foundation or charity of choice. In return, Surtain will take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital.
“The main thing for me is what legacy I left out there (for) my community,” Surtain told The Denver Post. “I want to leave a forever-lasting impact.”
Surtain’s award comes after left tackle Garett Bolles was selected as the team’s nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Putting the script together: Head coach Sean Payton doesn’t know what the second-half script looks like. He didn’t even have the first half script put together Friday afternoon, he said to gathered media after practice.
His process behind scripting out plays for games starts on Saturdays, when he lays out the first 15 plays of the game before team meetings. Payton said he waits until halftime to plan out the second-half script.
“I’ll put five or six plays together at halftime and then have my banana and go (use the restroom),” Payton said.
Whatever his process is, it hasn’t worked very well so far this season.
Denver had another brutal opening drive to start the third quarter last week in Houston, when Wilson was sacked twice before the Broncos had to punt the ball. It’s become a common theme this year. The Broncos have opened the second half with the ball 10 times, with those drives producing eight punts, a missed field goal and a blocked field goal.
Payton mentioned after Denver’s 22-17 loss to the Houston Texans that he would consider creating a second script between the second quarter and the start of the third quarter.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.
