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| Kuper could be out 4-6 weeks. (US Presswire) |
The last memory you might have Broncos guard Chris Kuper is when in Week 17 of last year, he suffered a gruesome leg injury in which his ankle basically was turned backward. He had dislocated his ankle and suffered multiple fractures in his lower left fibula, and after undergoing two offseason surgeries, Kuper rehabbed to make it back in time for the beginning of the 2012 season.
He did for training camp, but now, it looks like he’ll miss the beginning of the season anyway after breaking the left ulna in his forearm Tuesday. The team reports that Kuper is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks as his arm heals.
So, what kind of impact will Kuper’s absence have on the squad?
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Writes the Denver Post’s Mike Klis: “A case can be made Kuper is the Broncos’ best all-around lineman as he has the quick feet and technique required for pass protection and strength and nimble feet that are blocking necessities in the run game.”
The last time Kuper had to miss time, his Broncos teammates made sure to use the loss of Kuper as motivation entering their playoff game vs. the Steelers.
"It was huge, man," linebacker Elvis Dumervil said in May referring to Kuper's injury. "He’s one of your key guys and leaders -- that hurt. You know if he was out there, he’d give it all he’s got. And so I just kind of brought that up and let the guys know, ‘Hey, this can be taken away from you any day,’ and I think a lot of guys were inspired by that. We went out there and played for ‘Kup.’"
Unfortunately for the team, the Broncos might have to do the same for the first few weeks of the 2012 season as well.
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