Broncos Lose Eric Decker To Knee Injury

Added on Jan 09, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

The hit on Denver wide receiver Eric Decker that forced him out of yesterday’s thrilling overtime win over the Steelers will keep him sidelined for next weekend’s Divisional matchup against the Patriots. The injury is thought to be a sprained MCL, but he will undergo an MRI today to determine the severity.

Decker’s day ended early after taking a low hit to his knee by Steelers linebacker James Harrison. Known for his tendency to headhunt opposing players, Harrison delivered a perfectly legal, albeit nasty looking, blow to Decker’s lower body.

In his second season, Decker enjoyed a breakout campaign of sorts, catching 44 balls for 612 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories. Although, he likely would’ve posted even bigger numbers had Kyle Orton not been replaced by Tim Tebow. Decker registered 20 of his 44 receptions and half of his scores in the first month of the season when Orton was under center.

Decker has been plagued by foot and leg ailments dating back to his college days at Minnesota. A sprained foot ended his senior season after eight games, which caused him to fall to the third-round in the 2010 NFL draft. He then underwent foot surgery prior to his rookie season.

Without Decker, the Broncos will face the high-scoring Patriots with only three healthy receivers. Demaryius Thomas, yesterday’s overtime hero, and Eddie Royal are in line to start. Thomas has become Tebow’s favorite target in the second half of the season with 25 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns since Week 13.

Thomas’s 51-yard per catch average in yesterday’s win set an NFL playoff record, and his 80-yard touchdown was the longest in playoff history and also capped the fastest end to any overtime game in league history, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Denver lost to New England 41-23 in Week 15. Thomas caught seven passes for 116 yards.

Source: NFL.com