Von Miller headlines a star-studded list of Denver players currently on IR. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos 'top' NFL in injured reserve payroll

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/29/20

The Denver Broncos will enter October at 0-3 and without multiple lineup mainstays healthy and available. They do, however, lead the NFL in one dubious category.

As Mike Klis of 9News pointed out, Denver has the highest payroll for players on injured reserve among all clubs as of the final week of September:

Top NFL IR payrolls:
1. Broncos $53.42M
2. DAL $33.52M
3. SF $29.86M
4. LVR $28.21M
5. CIN $28.16
6. MIN $26.25M
7. CAR $26.21M
8. LAC $23.11
9. NYJ $22.05M
10. NYG $20.33M
Broncos have most cash on IR by 37.3% over 2nd place Cowboys. #9sports https://t.co/kdn7opWSkF
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) September 29, 2020

Following Sunday's 28-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey joined noteworthy Denver players such as All-Pro linebacker Von Miller, Pro Bowl wide receiver Courtland Sutton and others currently on IR. As Jeff Legwold wrote for ESPN, the Broncos expect right tackle Elijah Wilkinson will also land on IR after he fractured a shinbone in the defeat to the Bucs.

Quarterback Drew Lock is recovering from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and could miss at least another two games.

Broncos IR list:
Von Miller, $18M
AJ Bouye, $13.4M
Jurrell Casey, $11.8M
Eli Wilkinson, $3.3M
Mark Barron, $2.5M
Courtland Sutton, $1.1M
D Walker, $1.1 million
D Jones, $685,400
Justin Strnad, $637,772
Austin Calitro, $502,942
Austin Fort, $400,000
Total ……. $53.42M#9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) September 29, 2020