Jason Hunter Injury Update: Broncos Officially Place DE On Injured Reserve

Once projected to miss around four months originally by Denver coach John Fox, Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter was officially placed on injured reserve on Monday according to the team's official Twitter account.

Hunter suffered a torn triceps muscle back on Aug. 14 during training camp, and it appeared unlikely he would return at any point during the 2012 campaign despite the optimistic timetable two week ago. Now that the Broncos have officially ruled him out for the season though, the 274-pound run-stopper can instead focus on getting fully healthy to open camp in 2013 as opposed to rushing himself back prematurely.

Rookie Derek Wolfe, a second-round pick out of Cincinnati, figures to see the lion's share of Hunter's playing time this season while the veteran watches from the sideline. Even though Hunter's loss remains a serious blow for Fox's team, Wolfe, who happens to lead the Broncos in preseason tackles at the moment, might just wind up running away with his expanded opportunity in the meantime.

Be sure to stay with this StoryStream for any coverage related to Hunter's injury, and head over to Mile High Report for more Broncos news. Also check out SB Nation's NFL hub for even more coverage from around the league.

Jason Hunter Injury Update: Broncos DE Will Miss 4 Months, Says John Fox

Denver Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter underwent surgery on his torn triceps on Wednesday and will be out of the lineup for four months.

Hunter suffered the injury on Tuesday, during the same practice where right guard Chris Kuper broke his left forearm and running back Ronnie Hillman aggravated a hamstring injury. News of Hunter's surgery came via Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post:

Fox said both Kuper and Hunter have had surgery. Fox said Hunter will be out 4 months. #broncos

— Lindsay Jones (@PostBroncos) August 15, 2012

Kuper is expected to be out four to six weeks after his surgery. Rookie Derek Wolfe replaced Hunter in the lineup on Wednesday and, even though he has quickly grown close with Hunter, he aims to make the most of the opportunity, via The Associated Press:

Wolfe said he was bummed by Hunter's injury, but quickly added: "I've got to step in and do my job. There's no time to sit back and wallow in that. J-Hunt's one of my good friends, so I'd like to think of him as a mentor to me because he's been helping me out through this whole situation. I'm just going to step in there and do what I have to do."

It's understandable if the Broncos and their fans are feeling a bit of deja vu, as defensive linemen Elvis Dumervil and Ty Warren had season-ending injuries in training camp in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

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Jason Hunter Injury: Broncos DE Tears Triceps, Will Miss At Least 2 Months, According To Report

Denver Broncos defensive end Jason Hunter has torn his triceps muscle and is out for at least two months.