Injury Report: Broncos hopeful Von Miller takes next step in recovery ahead of #DENvsKC

[Miles]

Tackle Ja'Wuan James joined Miller in returning from injury to face the Texans, anchoring the right side of the line for the first half. James had last played in a Week 8 game against Indianapolis before aggravating a knee injury he first suffered in Week 1 against Oakland.


"He did fine, played a pretty good half," Fangio said. "Not perfect, but, again, more positive than negative."


James did not play in the second half.


Fangio wouldn't commit to increasing James' workload ahead for the Broncos' Week 15 game vs. Kansas City, but he said that option will be under consideration.


"We'll see how that goes this week," Fangio said. "That was our plan last week. I think he can be extended more. We'll see."


Meanwhile, the Broncos' defensive depth will likely continue to be tested as Miller recovers and as rookie defensive end Dre'Mont Jones faces missing time to recover from an ankle injury. After placing Derek Wolfe on injured reserve on Dec. 3 with an elbow injury, the Broncos were already missing a key player in the trenches, and Jones' absence after the second defensive snap further thinned the Broncos' depth on the line.


"It's a high-ankle sprain," Fangio said Monday. "We're not sure of the severity. It could be that he might be able to play this week, or it could be that he'll miss a couple weeks. The next few days will tell."


Fellow rookie Noah Fant also left Sunday's game with a lower leg injury, but Fangio said Monday, "I think he's OK."


"He got stepped on, on his foot," Fangio said. "Got a little bruise there, which is OK, and a little hip irritation injury, but they're still doing more tests on him. [I'm] hopefully optimistic."