Broncos outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett is expected to miss the rest of the offseason after suffering a hip injury in a non-team workout last week.
Barrett was absent from Broncos organized team activities Tuesday to undergo further evaluation and to determine the severity of the injury.
“(We’re in) the early stages of it right now,” head coach Vance Joseph said. “We should know more in a week’s time. That’s where he is.”
Barrett’s absence creates opportunity for free agent signing Kasim Edebali as well as Vontarrius Dora and undrafted free agents Deon Hollins and Ken Ekanem. But it may also prompt the Broncos to scour the free-agent market for more depth.
Barrett, a 2015 undrafted free agent out of Colorado State, has seven sacks over the past two seasons as a reserve pass rusher. With DeMarcus Ware’s retirement in March, Barrett — if healthy — is expected to take on a larger role this season.
The Broncos were also without receiver Demaryius Thomas at practice and guard Billy Turner. Joseph said Thomas was absent because of a personal issue. Joseph said Thomas is “absolutely” expected back this week but that Turner has been out since the first day of OTAs with an ankle sprain. He is expected to return within a week.
“He’s feeling better,” Joseph said of Turner. “He’s out of the walking boot, so he should be back out there in a week’s time.”
