Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff

In the high-impact world of the NFL, injuries are an inevitable part of the game—but the difference between a team that bounces back and one that struggles often lies in the quality of its injury recovery staff. For the Denver Broncos, their medical and athletic training team has established itself as one of the league’s most innovative and dedicated, turning long-term injury concerns into stories of successful comebacks. From personalized recovery plans to cutting-edge technology, the Broncos’ staff doesn’t just treat injuries—they prioritize players’ long-term health and ensure they return to the field stronger than before. Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff explores how this team of professionals has become a backbone of the Broncos’ success, supporting players through every step of the recovery journey.

Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff begins with the team’s holistic approach to injury assessment—a process that goes beyond just diagnosing the physical issue to understand its impact on the player’s overall well-being. When a player gets injured, the Broncos’ staff (led by head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos) conducts a multi-layered evaluation: they use advanced imaging (like MRI and CT scans) to identify the injury’s severity, work with biomechanics experts to pinpoint movement patterns that may have contributed to the issue, and even consult with nutritionists to ensure the player’s diet supports recovery. A prime example of this came in 2023, when tight end Greg Dulcich suffered a knee sprain in Week 3. Instead of just prescribing rest and physical therapy, the staff analyzed Dulcich’s running form, discovered a slight imbalance in his hip muscles, and adjusted his recovery plan to include targeted strength training for those muscles. “We don’t just fix the injury—we fix the cause,” Antonopulos said. “That’s how we prevent players from getting hurt again.” Dulcich returned to the field in Week 8, ahead of the initial 6–8 week timeline, and didn’t reaggravate the injury for the rest of the season—a testament to the staff’s thorough approach.

A defining strength of the Broncos’ recovery efforts is their use of cutting-edge technology to speed up healing and improve outcomes. The team’s training facility, UCHealth Training Center, is equipped with state-of-the-art tools that have become game-changers for injury recovery. One such tool is the anti-gravity treadmill, which allows players with leg injuries to walk or run while reducing the impact on their joints by up to 80%. This was crucial for running back Javonte Williams’ 2023 recovery from a torn ACL: Williams used the treadmill to maintain his cardio fitness and rebuild leg strength without putting stress on his healing knee, cutting his recovery time by nearly a month. The staff also uses cryotherapy chambers to reduce inflammation, blood flow restriction therapy to build muscle without heavy lifting, and virtual reality (VR) to help players maintain their mental focus and reaction times while sidelined. “Technology doesn’t replace hard work, but it makes that work more efficient,” said Broncos physical therapist Sarah Johnson. “It lets us push players just enough to progress, without risking setbacks.” For players like Williams, who rely on speed and power, this technology isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity to get back to their elite level.

A key way Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff stands out is their personalized post-recovery integration plan—a strategy that ensures players don’t just heal, but seamlessly return to game action with the Denver Broncos. The staff doesn’t consider a player “recovered” just because they’re medically cleared; they create a phased return process that starts with practice reps against scout teams, then moves to limited snaps in preseason or regular-season games, and finally to full participation. In 2024, when defensive end Zach Allen recovered from a shoulder injury, the staff worked closely with head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to design his return: Allen started with 10 snaps in a Week 4 preseason game, then 25 snaps in the regular-season opener, and gradually built up to full starter reps by Week 6. This approach not only prevented Allen from re-injuring his shoulder but also helped him regain his game rhythm—he recorded a sack in his first full game back. “Returning to the field is as much mental as it is physical,” Antonopulos said. “Our job is to make sure players feel confident and prepared, not rushed. That’s how we get the best out of them.” For the Denver Broncos, this personalized integration means fewer injury setbacks and more consistent performance from key players—a big advantage in the competitive AFC West.

Another critical part of the Broncos’ injury recovery efforts is their focus on mental health support—a often-overlooked aspect of recovery that the Denver Broncos staff prioritizes to help players stay resilient. Recovering from a serious injury can be mentally draining: players may feel frustrated about missing games, anxious about their future, or isolated from teammates. To address this, the Broncos’ staff includes a sports psychologist who works one-on-one with injured players, helping them manage their emotions and stay motivated. When wide receiver Tim Patrick missed the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL, the psychologist met with him weekly, using visualization techniques to help him imagine returning to the field and setting small, achievable goals (like completing a certain number of physical therapy sessions) to keep him focused. Patrick later said, “The mental part was harder than the physical part. Having someone to talk to made all the difference.” The staff also encourages injured players to stay involved with the team—they attend meetings, join film sessions, and even help coach rookies during practice—so they don’t feel disconnected. For the Denver Broncos, this mental health support isn’t just about player well-being; it’s about ensuring players return to the locker room with the same confidence and positivity they had before their injury.

Wrapping up Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff is the long-term impact of these efforts on the team’s success—a legacy that has helped the Denver Broncos maintain competitiveness even when key players are sidelined. Over the past two seasons, the Broncos have had 12 players suffer injuries that typically require 4+ weeks of recovery, yet the team has still managed to finish with winning records in both years. This is no coincidence: the staff’s ability to get players back quickly and safely has kept the roster deep and competitive. For example, in 2023, the Broncos lost three defensive starters to injuries in the first half of the season, but the staff’s recovery work helped all three return by Week 12—just in time for the playoff push. “Our injury recovery staff is as important to our success as any coach or player,” said Broncos general manager George Paton. “They keep our team on the field, they keep players healthy long-term, and they set the standard for how we care for our athletes.” For the Denver Broncos, investing in top-tier injury recovery isn’t just a financial decision—it’s a commitment to winning and to the players who make the team great. Injury Recovery Efforts by the Denver Broncos Staff ultimately shows that in the NFL, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about the people behind the scenes who support that talent, day in and day out. And the Broncos’ staff does that better than most.