Broncos DE Crick carted off field in practice

Aug 14, 2017 - 8:53 PM Denver Broncos defensive end Jared Crick was carted off the field at Monday's practice due to an apparent back injury.

Broncos coach Vance Joseph said Crick was initially suffering from back spasms but was undergoing further testing.

"He's having an MRI as we speak," Joseph said. "The first thought was that it's a back spasm but we're not sure to be honest. I'll let you guys know later on after the MRI comes in just so we're sure."

It was the second time in as many practices the Broncos had a defensive end carted off the field. Derek Wolfe exited Saturday's practice with a sprained ankle. Denver also lost defensive end Billy Winn to a torn ACL in Thursday's preseason game.

"It (stinks) anytime you get someone down. Wolfe seems like he'll be OK. I'm not sure what went on with Crick today but that's the name of the game. It's football, things happen like that.

"... Someone goes down, it's about the next man standing up and going out there and proving yourself. We have a lot of young guys here that are ready to stand up, but hopefully Crick and Wolfe will be fine and I believe they will."

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Crick started 15 of 16 games for the Broncos last season, registering 53 tackles with three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Crick, 27, spent his first four seasons with the Houston Texans, starting 31 of 32 games in 2014-15. He had career highs with 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2014.