Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was injured last night during a 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football.
Wilson suffered a “fairly significant” hamstring injury following the squad’s three-point loss to the Chargers, per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
This was the concern pending tests today. Russell Wilson plays through pretty much everything. But his health will be worth monitoring — again — on a short week leading up to Sunday’s game against the #Jets. https://t.co/kzHxrcH0O7
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 18, 2022
Russell Wilson looks like a shell of himself this year. In his decade-long tenure with the Seattle Seahawks, he always had his offense firing on all cylinders. Ever since his off-season trade to Denver, he has looked terrible. His offense has produced next to nothing since the new season began, a major cause of concern for the Broncos faithful.
Wilson’s Broncos rank dead last in points-per-game six games into the season according to ESPN’s offensive stats. Their struggling offense averages just 15 points. Shockingly, the team’s record is a lousy 2-4. (RELATED: Kicker Dustin Hopkins’ Pro Christian Message After Big Win)
From the looks of it, Wilson doesn’t even look like he should be the starter. He’s been that bad. In multiple games this season, he’s missed some wide open targets. In the Broncos overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in week five, Wilson did not see his wide-open receiver, KJ Hamler, standing in the end zone for what would have been a very easy game winning touchdown pass.
KJ Hamler was wide open during the final 4th and 1 play Thursday night.
Russell Wilson did not throw it to him and the Broncos turned it over on downs. Hamler was visibly upset after pic.twitter.com/BNzK9MsS7B
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 7, 2022
Similarly, Wilson had another wide-open target last night when Denver tight-end Greg Dulcich was standing in the center of the field with no L.A. defender within eight yards of him. But Wilson didn’t see him and instead got sacked.
Russell Wilson missed a wide open receiver on third down and took a sack. pic.twitter.com/CF4EgXrmZJ
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 18, 2022
For whatever reason, Wilson’s passing vision has seemed to deteriorate in his eleventh NFL season.
Although Wilson has underperformed on the field, his bank account probably isn’t. In fact, his trade to Denver is beginning to look like the heist of the century. Denver agreed to a massive $245 million extension in September with the veteran QB. Wilson got $165 million of that money guaranteed. Not bad for his season record so far.
For making multi-millions per year, you expect much more out of your franchise quarterback if you’re the Broncos. For Denver to be dead last in points is concerning considering the off-season investment they’ve made in the former Super Bowl champion.
If things continue to go poorly, you’d imagine that it is only a matter of time before backup QB, Brett Rypien, gets the nod to become the new Denver starter.