Chris Kuper Injury Update: Broncos RG To Miss 6 Weeks After Breaking Forearm

Denver Broncos right guard Chris Kuper can't catch a break. After breaking his leg during the 2011 regular season finale, Kuper has now broken his forearm on Tuesday, according to the Denver Post's Lindsay Jones. He suffered the injury early in practice and left for x-rays, which determined that he broke his left forearm. He will likely miss the first three games of the regular season (vs. Pittsburgh, at Atlanta, vs. Houston).

Kuper was recovering well from the broken leg and dislocated ankle he incurred back in January, but he had been held out of the team's first preseason game, a 31-3 victory over the Chicago Bears.

Manny Ramirez had been taking first-team snaps with the Broncos and is now poised to begin the season as the starting right guard. However, the team had in the past expressed interest in playing right tackle Orlando Franklin at guard. The second-year lineman played guard while in college at Miami. Whether that is a legitimate option right now remains to be seen.

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Chris Kuper Injury: Elway Hopes To Have Kuper Back For Training Camp

Ever since his gruesome injury in Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Chris Kuper has been working to get back into playing shape. Given the severity of the ankle injury, there have been few public discussions about when Kuper might return to the field. However, the official website of the Broncos caught up with Kuper to discuss his rehabilitation since the injury, including a potential timetable for a return.

Originally told his recovery timetable ranged from four to six months, Kuper said that is "probably going to be right on par."

"He's been here, he's done everything we've asked, he's worked very hard, he's very diligent and he's working and getting better every day," Antonopulos said.

With the recovery currently on schedule and Kuper getting closer to return, John Elway even told season ticket holders that the injured guard could be good to go for training camp:

On a conference call with season ticket holders, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway said he hopes Kuper will be ready to go once training camp starts at the end of July -- and he could be recovered as early as the middle of June.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard Had Procedure To Remove Screw

Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper is likely on track for a return from injury by the time training camp begins, but he recently had a second procedure done to remove a screw from his fibula, according to the Denver Post. Kuper, recall, broke his fibula and dislocated his ankle during the 2011 season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kuper had a screw removed because it was discomforting him. There are no indications that Kuper has had any setbacks, allowing him to believe that he could be ready to start working out in June. He will miss the organized team activities, but he could be ready to do something during June minicamp if everything goes right.

Manuel Ramirez could potentially fill in for Kuper if he isn't ready to go. The Broncos could always draft a guard, but any such player wouldn't be expected to start.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard Could Return For Training Camp

Denver Broncos offensive guard Chris Kuper suffered a dislocated ankle against the Kansas City Chiefs in the team's final regular season game last season, but don't expect the team to pursue a replacement in the 2012 NFL Draft. Kuper was spotted on crutches last week and is expected return for the start of training camp.

Kuper started in all 16 games for Denver during the 2011 season, and he inked a five-year, $25.5M contract in 2010 that runs through the 2015 season. As noted by Jeff Legwold of the Denver Post, Kuper was also present when the team made its pitch to Peyton Manning during the QB's visit to Dove Valley team headquarters back in March.

Related: Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard To Be Placed On Injured Reserve

Backup guard Manny Ramirez would be next-in-line if Kuper suffers a setback during his recovery.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: OL Expected To Return By Training Camp

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Chris Kuper suffered a horrible injury against Kansas City in the final game of the regular season. On Friday afternoon, Andrew Mason provided an update on Kuper's condition -- the injured lineman was spotted in crutches, but the good news is he is expected to be back in action by the start of training camp.

OL Chris Kuper was seen at Broncos headquarters moving around on crutches with a boot on his lower leg. Kuper suffered a leg fracture against Kansas City on Jan. 1 and is expected back by training camp.

Related: Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard To Be Placed On Injured Reserve

Kuper started in all 16 games for Denver during the 2011 season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury Leads Denver To Sign Ex-Bronco Ryan Harris

The Denver Broncos wasted little time in filling in the gap that Chris Kuper's injury left on the offensive line. The team announced on Monday afternoon that former Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Harris signed with the team.

The #Broncos have signed OL Ryan Harris, who played 46 games (34 starts) with Denver from 2007-10.

— Denver Broncos (@Denver_Broncos) January 2, 2012

Harris hit free agency this year due to the new collective bargaining agreement. There was some thought that he was going to re-sign with the Broncos in August, but he decided to ply his trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dream Team at the time. Instead, he suffered a back injury, had surgery, was placed on injured reserve and was released after reaching a settlement with the team.

Now Harris will get the playoff chance with the Broncos that he missed out on in his previous four years with the team.

For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard To Be Placed On Injured Reserve

On Monday afternoon, Denver Broncos head coach confirmed that guard Chris Kuper is out for the season when he told the media that the dislocated ankle and broken lower left leg will put the player on season-ending injured reserve.

Fox: "We're going to put Chris Kuper on IR. He did break his lower leg. He's doing fine today, I've already spoken to him."

— Denver Broncos (@Denver_Broncos) January 2, 2012

Fox then compared the injury to one that Jordan Gross experienced in Carolina when he was the coach there. Gross was able to return to the starting lineup when training camp opened in late July for the Panthers. We can only help that Kuper will be able to be on the same timetable.

The Broncos do have backup guard Manny Ramirez to fill in as a back up with Russ Hochstein's move to the starting lineup. Ramirez had been inactive for the games this season.

For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard's Dislocated Ankle, Broken Leg Leave Big Hole On O-Line

Chris Kuper has reportedly suffered several injuries as a result of fellow Denver Broncos offensive lineman Orlando Franklin accidentally falling on him during Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Along with the dislocated ankle, Kuper has reportedly broken his fibula and tibia, according to the Denver Post. After Sunday's game, head coach John Fox had mentioned that Kuper broke his leg, but it wasn't clear at the time if he was mentioning that in addition to the dislocated ankle.

Russ Hochstein will replace Kuper at right guard on the line, but there is a huge gap for the team now (via above Denver Post link):

"Kupe is a big part of the offensive line, and those guys really played for him," running back Willis McGahee said. "That was the talk — let's do this for Kupe."

According to the Denver Post's Lindsay Jones, Kuper was at Dove Valley on Monday with a cast on his lower left leg and moving with crutches.

For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

VIDEO: Chris Kuper Injury Results In Dislocated Ankle During Broncos Vs. Chiefs

The Denver Broncos lost veteran guard Chris Kuper for the remainder of the season after he dislocated his left ankle during Sunday's 7-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. On a Willis McGahee run, rookie offensive tackle Orlando Franklin unluckily fell on Kuper from behind, dislocating the ankle. The video below shows the aftermath of the incident.

via BenjiGridiron

You can see McGahee's and Tim Tebow's reactions to the injury quite clearly. As soon as they look down at Kuper they realize that an ankle isn't supposed to go that way. They wince in obvious pseudo-pain and wait for the trainers to come out and help And that's when the viewing audience gets a full glimpse of Kuper's left foot being at 90 degrees in the wrong direction.

Kuper was drafted by the Broncos in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, the latest player drafted from the University of North Dakota. Previously, Jim Kleinsasser held that distinction, and the tight end went into retirement after Sunday's Minnesota Vikings game.

For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Chris Kuper Injury: Broncos Guard Breaks Leg, Says John Fox

Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper, a mainstay on the offensive line since 2007, will not be in the playoffs for the team after breaking his leg in Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. After the game, head coach John Fox told the media that Kuper broke his leg, reports Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post.

The Broncos put in Russ Hochstein as his replacement, but at one point he limped off the field with a bit of an injury. Chris Clark, an offensive tackle and sometimes eligible tight end, was forced into the guard position for a bit when Hochstein left the game.

The Broncos had made inactive guard Manny Ramirez and tackle Tony Hills before the game, making the gameday depth on the line quite thin.

For more, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Denver Broncos Injury Update: Chris Kuper, Spencer Larsen Will Not Return

With a playoff spot on the line, it should come as no surprise that the Week 17 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs would have a physical side to it. Unfortunately, the Broncos have seen the injury bug strike twice in the opening half, as the Denver Broncos Twitter account has reported that neither Chris Kuper or Spencer Larsen will return after suffering injuries:

@Denver_Broncos: #Broncos guard / offensive captain Chris Kuper has been carted off with an apparent leg injury.

@Denver_Broncos: Kuper will not return to today's game with a leg injury.

@Denver_Broncos: #Broncos FB Spencer Larsen has a knee injury. He will not return today.

The loss of Kuper could be a significant blow for the offensive line. Kuper serves as an offensive captain for the Broncos, and the offensive guard has been excellent this season. Larsen has made 15 appearances this season and has rushed for 44 yards on 14 carries in the fullback role.

Willis McGahee did not react well to the sight of Kuper's injury (click to animate):

via Mocksession

For more on this Week 17 game, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report and Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.