AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

The potentially season-ending injury to Broncos OLB Von Miller‘s ankle continued what’s been a rough 12 months for the veteran and threw his future into doubt. Miller has just one year left on his deal and will be 32 next year, so it’s unclear if he’ll be back in Denver. What is clear is that Miller doesn’t intend on retiring anytime soon. 

“If you still have a passion for it and you’re still doing it at a high level, I don’t think I should even think about not playing,” Miller said via ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. “I still feel like I’m able to compete; I still feel like I’m fast, most importantly. As long as I can keep doing that, I’m going to play. … Every year I get to play, every play I get to play, I’ll just keep pushing and at the end I’ll see how many [years] it is and I’ll look up and I’ll be cool with that.”

Miller also shed some light on his mentality that had his teammates and coaches eager to see another breakout year in 2020 from a player who has already had a borderline Hall of Fame career. 

“Over time I’ve really learned what effort means,” Miller said. “You can’t get complacent. It’s impossible to do that and succeed. When you start doing that, that’s when you go downhill. When you get complacent — you don’t take advantage of every day. So, do more, commit to it more. As time goes on, you’ve got to relearn that process every single year. You’ve got to keep going at it every single year.

“You can’t get bored with trying to be great; you can’t get bored with winning or thinking it just happens. You don’t want to get bored with whupping other people’s ass. You don’t want to get bored with success, don’t want to get bored with coming in here every day with the mindset of giving to your teammates and pushing yourself. Because if you do, you’re done, that’s it.”

Chargers

• Adam Schefter reports that early indications are that Chargers LB Drue Tranquill suffered a broken ankle during Sunday’s game. 
• Chargers HC Anthony Lynn confirmed that Tranquill did, in fact, break his left ankle. However, Lynn isn’t sure if he’s out for the season. (Gilbert Manzano)

Chiefs

• According to Fansided’s Matt Verderame, Chiefs CB Charvarius Ward is not expected to miss an extended amount of time with his fractured hand. 
• Anthony Lynn confirmed Drue Tranquill broke his left ankle. He said he’s not sure if he’s out for the season

Raiders

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders don’t believe LB Nick Kwiatkoski‘s pec injury is as bad as they initially thought and that the veteran previously played through a worse injury. They’re waiting for final MRI results. 
• Rapoport was able to confirm Kwiatkoski did not tear his pec.