Broncos put rookie RB Audric Estime on injured reserve, set to miss at least four weeks with ankle injury

Denver rookie running back Audric Estime’s debut hit a speed bump after three snaps.

The fifth-round draft pick carried twice for 14 yards Sunday against Seattle but played sparingly. Then Wednesday the Broncos placed him on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Estime is not expected to have surgery, a source said, but the IR placement means he’ll miss a minimum of four games. He’s first eligible to return Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He was on the side field during the portion of practice open to reporters Wednesday, a positive sign overall. The Broncos had a busier day with their rehab group than at any point during training camp or the preseason.

Estime also missed OTAs and the mandatory minicamp in June with a knee injury that required a minor scope procedure.

The Broncos promoted fullback Michael Burton from the practice squad to the active roster and signed receiver Kaden Davis to the practice squad Wednesday, meaning their roster and practice squad remain full.

In addition to Estime, it included left tackle Garett Bolles (calf) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and receivers Devaughn Vele (ribs) and Josh Reynolds (Achilles).

Reynolds missed a bit of time late in training camp with “some wear and tear” to his Achilles tendon, Payton said at the time. Against Seattle, Reynolds got kicked right in the heel area on his left foot during on the first play of the third quarter. He hobbled off the field after the play but later returned to the game. Reynolds dealt with on-and-off Achilles soreness early in his career but said after the game Sunday that it hadn’t been an issue for a couple of years until this training camp.

Bolles has an ankle contusion, but Payton said Monday that all the X-ray and MRI information came back showing good news. Wattenberg went down in the second half but didn’t miss any game time.

Rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (knee) was a limited participant in practice.

Also on the side field were three of the Broncos players who are on injured reserve (CB Damarri Mathis) and physically unable to perform (LB Drew Sanders and S Delarrin Turner-Yell).

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