Dec 5, 2018 4 min read

Although the schedule gets easier for the Denver Broncos this month, the degree of difficulty in reaching the playoffs keeps going up.

The Broncos (6-6) lost leading wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a torn left Achilles tendon Wednesday. He was hurt in a non-contact drill at the beginning of practice.

The Broncos quickly claimed wide receiver Andre Holmes off waivers from Buffalo, giving them a seventh-year veteran to go with their four remaining receivers, all of whom made their NFL debuts this season.

Sanders, who led the team with 71 catches for 868 yards and four touchdowns in a bounce-back year, was injured on a routine route. He sensed the gravity of the injury as he crumbled to the ground, tearing off his helmet and rolling it away as teammates and trainers rushed toward him.

“It didn’t look good,” coach Vance Joseph said, adding Sanders “was sore last week in his heel area and he felt great today.”

Sanders’ injury was the latest blow to a team that’s lost seven starters from its opening-day lineup, including six on offense.

“It hurt, especially with an Achilles injury, that’s a major injury,” rookie receiver DaeSean Hamilton said. “He was our leader and he was a coach, too, so it was hard to watch.”

Sanders’ injury came three days after the Broncos lost star cornerback Chris Harris Jr . to a broken right lower leg, an injury that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season.

Sanders crumbled to the grass in an area of the field that has several brown patches and has led to several slips over the last few weeks, notably by rookie receiver Courtland Sutton.

Trubisky expects to play: Mitchell Trubisky is just about ready to return to the Chicago Bears’ lineup.

Trubisky said he is “really close to 100 percent” and expects to play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night after missing the past two games because of a right shoulder injury.

He went through a full practice on Wednesday. Assuming no setbacks, he figures to start when the NFC North leaders host the NFC West champions.

“I just gotta show coach that I can play,” he said. “I’m feeling good about where I’m at. As long as I can show them that I can go out there every day and make all the throws and be the player that they know I am, I feel confident that I’ll be able to go.”

Nagy said he feels “strong that he will play,” though he wouldn’t quite commit to it.

Darnold nears return: Sam Darnold is one step closer to returning from his foot injury.

The New York Jets rookie quarterback was a full participant at practice Wednesday, putting him on track to start at Buffalo against the Bills on Sunday.

“That’s the goal,” Darnold said. “I’m really excited about this week and where we’re headed. I’m really excited about how I felt today, so as of right now, I’m really excited about hopefully getting a chance to play on Sunday.”

Yes, he’s really excited.

After all, Darnold has missed the past three games with a strained right foot. He was injured against Miami on Nov. 4 and hasn’t played since. Despite Darnold fully participating and Josh McCown limited with a sore back, coach Todd Bowles wouldn’t commit to the rookie starting this week.

Green out for season: Bengals receiver A.J. Green will be sidelined for the rest of the season with an injured toe on his right foot.

The Bengals placed him on injured reserve Wednesday. Green got hurt on Oct. 28, missed three games with the injury, and returned last Sunday against Denver.

He aggravated it while running a route, and he’s getting medical opinions on whether he should have surgery.

Green finishes with 46 catches for 694 yards – both career lows – and six touchdowns.

Olsen on IR: The Panthers have officially placed three-time Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen on injured reserve.

The move was expected after Olsen told reporters on Sunday that he ruptured his right plantar fascia in Carolina’s 24-17 loss to the Buccaneers.