x
Breaking News
More () »

Bradley Chubb scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on left ankle

The Broncos pass rusher had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle in May.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos star outside linebacker Bradley Chubb gave playing despite ankle pain a shot.

But the ankle pain shot back.

Chubb will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday morning to remove a troublesome bone spur in his left ankle, the Broncos announced via its website. The timeline on his recovery won’t be determined until after the procedure but Chubb is expected to be placed on short-term injured reserve.

Chubb had a scope procedure to remove bone spurs in his other ankle, the right in mid-May. He missed OTAs and the mandatory minicamp, then the Broncos took five weeks off before returning to training camp in late-July. Based on the recovery from his previous ankle procedure, a minimum of four weeks and possibly as much as 8 weeks can be expected.

Chubb missed the season opener against the New York Giants and was in-and-out of the lineup during the first half Sunday at Jacksonville before aggravating the ankle injury with a minute left in the half.

“It was during that 2-minute drive I tried to turn the corner and I felt it wasn’t all the way there,’’ Chubb told the team’s website. “I’ve been dealing with this bone spur I’ve got in my ankle and sometimes when I try to turn the corner it gets a little annoying and I feel like a stab-type pain.

Credit: AP
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb heads to the locker room after taking part in drills at an NFL football training camp at team headquarters Friday, July 30, 2021, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“Did everything I could to manage it and try to come back and play. I took the New York (Giants) week down to try and calm it down a little bit and Jacksonville week I tried to do everything to get back on the field and unfortunately all those things weren’t working in my favor so the thing is now is to go in and get it cleaned up and be right back. It’s just a bone spur. They have to go in and scope it out and come out on the better side of this and feel like myself again.’’

The decision to have surgery was made after the Broncos’ medical consulted with Dr. Robert Anderson, the acclaimed foot and ankle specialist who now resides in Green Bay.

“These past couple years haven’t been going our way in the win column and I feel like we’re starting to change that, we’re starting to get over that hump and not being able to be there is going to be very frustrating,’’ Chubb said. “But I’m going to push everything I can to get back to these games and hopefully it’s sooner rather than later and my mindset is going to be to attack it 100 percent every day.’’

Credit: AP
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) greets strong safety Kareem Jackson (22) before an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Chubb broke Von Miller’s team rookie record with 12 sacks in 2018, but suffered a season-ending torn ACL in game 4 of 2019. While he returned in 2020 and was named to the Pro Bowl after posting 7 ½ sacks through 14 games, he missed the final two games with his right ankle injury. Now it’s the left ankle that will keep him out. The Broncos will use Malik Reed, followed by rookies Jonathon Cooper and Andrew Mintze in place of Chubb with star Von Miller pass rushing from the other side.

“When this thing is healed up I expect to see a whole new Bradley Chubb,’’ Chubb said. “A whole new animal, a whole new dog. I feel like 2018 was my last full year healthy and I feel like when I get done with this it’s going to be 10 times that and I’m really excited to see everything come full circle.”

The Broncos' No. 5 overall draft pick in 2018, Chubb is making $4.37 million this year and is guaranteed to make $12.716 million next year after the team picked up his fifth-year option in early May.

RELATED: Broncos linebacker Josey Jewell likely out for season

RELATED: Source: Elway interested in joining ownership group if Broncos are sold

Broncos podcast: Klis' Mike Drop

Denver Broncos headlines, game previews and interviews with our 9NEWS insider Mike Klis.

HOW TO LISTEN

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Sports

MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS

Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER

Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n 

HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE

ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.

For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.

Before You Leave, Check This Out