Knowshon Moreno, Tony Carter should be fine
Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) rushes the ball against New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) in the second half during the 2013 AFC championship playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots lost a couple of players to injury in yesterday’s AFC Championship Game, and the injury that had the biggest impact on the game was the game-ending injury to Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib. But going forward, the most important injuries are the ones the Broncos suffered following their 26-16 win, as they will be facing the Seattle Seahawks in two weeks for a Super Bowl matchup between the two best teams in the league (the Broncos and Seahawks were the clear favorites before the season started).
Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno has been a revelation this season, and his workhorse rushing behind a stout Broncos offensive line has been a huge key to the team’s offensive prowess. Peyton Manning and the four horsemen steal the show on offense, but Moreno gives the Broncos key balance. He had a decent game against the Patriots with 14 carries for 59 yards, though he didn’t quite have the 200-yard performance he put up the last time these two teams played. Still, he did his job, and the Broncos won this one in the AFCCG, so I’m sure it was a better day all-around for Moreno.
He did go down with a chest injury in the fourth quarter, but it sounds like his X-Rays came up negative. FOX Sports’s Mike Garafolo reports that Moreno should be able to play in the Super Bowl, and that early indications are that the rib injury he suffered isn’t serious but is still probably worth monitoring.
Broncos cornerback Tony Carter should also be good-to-go against the Seahawks in two weeks, as he suffered a concussion yesterday. Carter isn’t nearly as important to the Broncos as Moreno, but the Broncos can’t afford to lose more players, especially corners. At this point, I would be surprised if either player missed the biggest game of their lives.