Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson, who missed last week's loss to the New York Jets with a hamstring injury, said he worked out to stay loose during the team's eight-hour flight to London ahead of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Wilson also declared himself ready to return after the one-game absence.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett added the quarterback is "trending in the right way" to play Sunday against the Jags.

Wilson hasn't delivered the type of game-changing performances Denver sought when it acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks as part of a blockbuster trade in March.

The nine-time Pro Bowler has completed just 58.6 percent of his throws for 1,442 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions in six games. He's added one rushing score.

He ranks 29th out of 32 qualified quarterbacks in ESPN's Total QBR, and he's received a lackluster 59.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

While Wilson hasn't lived up to expectations, he's still the Broncos' best option under center. Brett Rypien and Josh Johnson, who's on the practice squad, are the team's reserves.

Denver, which ranks last in the league in points per game (14.3), will attempt to start finding an offensive rhythm against a Jags defense that's tied for 10th in points allowed per contest (19.6).

Kickoff at London's Wembley Stadium is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

As he prepares for his eighth game as head coach of the Denver Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett could find himself unemployed by the end of the weekend.

Per ESPN's Dan Graziano, there is chatter within NFL circles that Hackett's job "could be on the line" based on the result of Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Hackett has often looked like he is in over his head as a head coach through Denver's first seven games. There were multiple issues in the first two weeks with simple in-game situations, like clock management and deciding when to use the field-goal unit.

Some of those issues have gotten better in recent weeks, but the Broncos' offense still hasn't improved. They have scored more than 20 points just once in seven games and rank last in the NFL in points per game (14.3).

Denver also ranks 23rd in yards per game (328.6) and 20th in passing yards per game (219.1). The team's five touchdown passes are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears for the fewest in the league.

Adding to the issues for the Broncos offense is the price they paid, in money and draft picks, for Russell Wilson. They acquired the nine-time Pro Bowler from the Seattle Seahawks for a package that included two first-round and two second-round draft picks.

Prior to the start of the regular season, Wilson signed a five-year, $245 million contract extension that included $165 million guaranteed. He is on pace to have the worst season of his career with a 58.6 completion percentage and 35.2 QBR in six starts.

A hamstring injury kept Wilson out of Sunday's 16-9 loss to the New York Jets.

Hackett's hiring was likely based on the assumption he could elevate the offense after spending the previous three seasons as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers and his work with Aaron Rodgers.

Another complicating factor for Hackett is he was hired by the Broncos' previous ownership group. He got the job in January. The Walton-Penner group's purchase of the franchise was finalized in August.

The Broncos are already in last place in the AFC West and in danger of missing the playoffs for the eighth consecutive year. A loss to the Jaguars on Sunday would give them a 2-6 record.

Running back Melvin Gordon is reportedly one of several Denver Broncos players drawing interest ahead of the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano, Gordon is joined by wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, and pass-rusher Bradley Chubb as Broncos players who other teams have inquired about.

Gordon was expected to be Denver's bell-cow back once Javonte Williams was lost for the season in Week 4 with a torn ACL, but head coach Nathaniel Hackett has not committed to him as such.

While Gordon had 15 carries and 18 touches overall in the first game without Williams, he carried only three times for eight yards in Denver's 19-16 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

With Hackett opting instead to feed another veteran running back in Latavius Murray, Gordon could be seen shaking his head in apparent disgust and frustration on the sidelines during the game.

After the game, Gordon told reporters that it "hurt" to be benched, and he didn't have an explanation for why it happened:

Later that week, Gordon and Hackett told reporters that they had a positive conversation, and Gordon was then deployed as the starter in Week 7 against the New York Jets.

Gordon wasn't particularly productive in the 16-9 loss, rushing 11 times for 33 yards and catching two passes for 17 yards. Murray had eight carries and scored the team's only touchdown, while Mike Boone carried four times for 23 yards before landing on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Overall, Gordon has rushed for 234 yards and one touchdown this season, and he is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. Even so, he may still have at least some value in the trade market.

For starters, the 29-year-old veteran is a free agent at the end of the year, and the team that acquires would only have to pay him a prorated portion of his $2.485 million salary this season, so no long-term commitment has to be made.

Also, Gordon is a two-time Pro Bowler who has reached double digits in total touchdowns five times in his career, including last season when he had 1,131 total yards from scrimmage and 10 scores.

Given that Denver is already a highly disappointing 2-5 this season, Graziano and Jeremy Fowler speculated that a fire sale could be forthcoming if the Broncos lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has recently been the subject of trade inquiries from other teams, but another Broncos wideout is reportedly beginning to draw more interest prior to the Nov. 1 trade deadline.

Jordan Schultz of The Score reported on The Pat McAfee Show that third-year wideout KJ Hamler is more likely to be traded this season than Jeudy, mainly because of the difference in what teams would have to give up to land either receiver.

"A guy that quietly has been discussed from other teams is KJ Hamler. I think the asking price for him is less, he's a speed guy, hasn't really been ingratiated into the offense," Schultz stated. "I think when you're talking about Jeudy—a former first-round pick who's still on his rookie deal—the asking price would be extremely high, a two or a three. That's a lot to give up."

Schultz added that the Broncos have listened to trade calls but "no action [thus] far."

A second-round pick out of Penn State in 2020, Hamler hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his young career. He played 13 games as a rookie and racked up 30 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns before he was placed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury. He was limited to three games in 2021 after tearing his ACL in September.

Through six games this season, Hamler has failed to make an impact, with five catches for 113 yards and no touchdowns.

Any team that trades for him would be betting on his potential, as he hasn't shown the ability to contribute consistently so far in his career. Perhaps things would change for Hamler if he's given more opportunities in a different offensive system

Denver Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb knows he's been the subject of trade rumors ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline.

"Yeah I heard about them but I'm just focused on trying to help my guys fight through this," he said Sunday, per Mike Klis of 9News. "I know it's a business and anything can happen but all I care about right now is my guys and trying to get this thing turned around."

The Broncos fell to 2-5 on the season after a 16-9 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the team's fourth defeat in a row.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Broncos have "received multiple trade inquiries" on Chubb as well as receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.

The Broncos defense has remained a strength of the team despite the overall struggles, ranking third in the NFL in points allowed per game and second in yards allowed. Chubb has been a big part of that success, tallying 24 tackles and 5.5 sacks in seven games.

The 2018 first-round pick has struggled with injuries during his career—he's missed 24 games over the last three years—but he remains an impactful player when on the field.

Chubb tallied 12 sacks as a rookie and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2020 when he had 7.5 sacks in 14 games.

Now seemingly back to full strength, Chubb can be a difference-maker for a contender in the second half of the season if he is traded.

The 26-year-old is also set to become a free agent this offseason, currently playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract. The Broncos could either franchise tag him or agree to a new deal, but the talented player could be costly in 2023 and beyond.

It puts Chubb squarely on the trading block, but he will continue to focus on the task at hand until he is moved.

The struggling Denver Broncos have received "multiple trade inquiries" on linebacker Bradley Chubb and wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Numerous NFL teams told Schefter that they do not believe Denver will sell low in any trade and will instead be "value traders."

That's if they make any deals at all before the Nov. 1 trade deadline, per Schefter.

The Broncos entered this season with greater expectations after acquiring nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks.

However, Denver's offense ranks last in points per game, and the team has struggled to a 2-4 start despite a dominant defense.

Chubb is set to become a free agent this offseason unless the Broncos use the franchise tag on him.

The former North Carolina State star's fifth-year option on his rookie deal was picked up, but that contract is set to expire after this year.

He's been phenomenal to start 2022 thanks to five-and-a-half sacks and 20 tackles in six games. Denver in turn has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game largely because of Chubb's efforts.

It's easy to see why there would be interest in one of the game's most productive pass-rushers. Schefter reported that the Broncos want to retain him, Jeudy and Hamler but noted that "prices for defensive ends will continue to skyrocket."

Ultimately, the Broncos aren't considered a "seller" right now at the deadline, per Schefter, but that hasn't stopped teams from calling in.

Schefter added that Denver is open to hearing offers on tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, who has gotten lost in the positional shuffle this year and hasn't seen the field much of late.

For now, the Broncos are looking to get back in the win column. They'll have a tough task ahead on Sunday at home against the hot 4-2 New York Jets. Brett Rypien will start at quarterback in place of Wilson (partial hamstring tear).

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson wanted to play through a partially torn hamstring this week against the New York Jets, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

The reporting duo noted that Wilson has a partial tear (Grade 2 strain) of his hamstring and that the ailment is "generally a multiple-week injury because of the risk of additional damage."

"Wilson lobbied emphatically to play, sources say, believing he's played through worse while in Seattle," the NFL Network reporters wrote.

"He moved around and threw during the week, and he felt he could protect himself well enough to play. The original plan was for Wilson to work out a bit or throw on Saturday morning, but by that time the decision had been made."

The Broncos will now roll with Brett Rypien as the starter Sunday. Josh Johnson will back him up.

The Broncos will re-evaluate the hamstring this week to see if Wilson can play next Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. If not, Wilson's next chance to take the field would be Nov. 13 versus the Tennessee Titans following a bye week.

Wilson's first season in Denver has gotten off to a tumultuous start. He had just one game with two passing touchdowns and completed fewer than 60 percent of his attempts three times in the first six weeks.

The nine-time Pro Bowler has dealt with multiple injuries already in 2022. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection to relieve discomfort in his shoulder after the Broncos' 12-9 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 6.

In the wake of the Broncos' 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 17, Wilson began dealing with a hamstring injury.

This marks the second consecutive season Wilson has missed at least one game because of an injury. He made 149 straight starts dating back to his rookie season in 2012 until Week 6 of the 2021 campaign.

When Wilson has played, he's been largely ineffective. He's only completing 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,442 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Broncos rank last in the NFL in scoring offense (15.2 points per game), and they are currently in third place in the AFC West with a 2-4 record.

Rypien will now be Denver's starter. The third-year quarterback started one game as a rookie in 2020, throwing for 242 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 37-28 win over the Jets.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson will miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Brett Rypien will start in his place.

Wilson has dealt with a number of injuries this season. He underwent a procedure on his throwing shoulder on Oct. 7 to relieve the discomfort he was experiencing in the area. He also suffered a hamstring injury in an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers 10 days later.

Aside from injuries, the 33-year-old has struggled in his first season with the Broncos. He has completed just 58.6 percent of his passes for 1,442 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions in six games.

The Broncos are 2-4 on the season and will be in danger of falling even further out of the playoff picture with a loss to the streaking Jets on Sunday.

Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said running back Melvin Gordon III will start in his team's Week 7 game against the New York Jets, via James Palmer of NFL Network.

Gordon also got the start in Week 6, but he only saw nine snaps during the 19-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He finished with three carries for eight yards, while Latavius Murray and Mike Boone saw more playing time.

After the game, the veteran liked multiple tweets discussing trade scenarios:

"I'm not going to lie, it hurt a little today watching," Gordon said after Monday's game.

Murray took advantage of the opportunity, totaling 66 rushing yards on 15 carries for Denver. The 32-year-old joined the team this month after rushing for 57 yards and a touchdown for the New Orleans Saints in Week 4.

With Javonte Williams out for the year with a knee injury, the Broncos have needed someone to step up in the backfield.

Gordon was expected to take on a bigger role and saw a season-high 15 carries in Week 6, although he only averaged 3.6 yards per carry in a 12-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. In six games this season, the 29-year-old has 201 rushing yards and one touchdown, while his 3.7 yards per carry would be his worst since his rookie year in 2015.

Hackett seemingly wants to give Gordon another chance, but he could have a tough time against a Jets defense that ranks fourth in the NFL in yards allowed per carry.

With the Broncos just 2-4 on the season, Gordon likely won't get too long of a leash before Murray and Boone get more chances.