AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs

Broncos

• Dr. David Chao writes that based on his past experience as a team doctor, he believes Broncos OLB Von Miller suffered a dislocation to his peroneal tendons in his ankle. 
• Chao says if Miller just needs the tendon relocated instead of repaired, there’s precedent for him to return this season. He notes he performed a similar operation on Chargers DE Luis Castillo in 2007 who suffered the injury in Week 9 and returned during the playoffs. 
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport confirmed Miller dislocated his peroneal tendon and that surgery is expected. He said the typical return is 5-6 months with a three-month timeline the best-case scenario.
• Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio points out Miller is unlikely to play out next season on his current contract with the Broncos. He’s due $17.5 million in the final year of his deal in 2021 but none is guaranteed. 
• Florio expects Miller to either sign a new deal or for Denver to trade or release him. Miller is due to have $7 million of his base salary guaranteed on the first day of the 2021 league year, so that will serve as a deadline of sorts. 
• Broncos HC Vic Fangio said Miller will go on injured reserve at some point and there’s a chance his season is over: “It was just a normal play. He rushed around the edge. If you saw the video you would think nothing happened. But it did.” (Troy Renck)
• Replacing Miller will be a group effort, per Fangio: “The whole team must pick up the void. It’s everybody when you lose a player of that caliber, on the field and off the field. We have a good enough team to overcome it.” (Renck)

Chargers

• Per the Athletic’s Daniel Popper, Chargers HC Anthony Lynn said C Mike Pouncey will be a game-time decision. Pouncey is dealing with an injury that’s not related to the season-ending neck injury he suffered last year. 
• Lynn said the Chargers are comfortable with first-round QB Justin Herbert as the No. 2 quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor. (Gilbert Manzano)
• Chargers WR Mike Williams is “working slowly” to get back to the field, per Lynn. (Manzano)

Chiefs

• The Chiefs did not list any players on the injury report ahead of their season opener against the Texans on Thursday night.