Early in the offseason, Denver Broncos’ star pass rusher Von Miller told the media that he’s aiming to lead the NFL in sacks and win the Defensive Player of the Year this year. Unfortunately, Miller will have to postpone those plans for next season, as he’s unlikely to play at all in 2020.
According to NFL Network, Miller suffered a season-ending tendon injury at practice on Tuesday. The 31-year-old underwent an MRI the same day, which showed that he will require surgery in order to repair the damage. The eight-time Pro Bowler is now awaiting a second opinion, but Denver reportedly isn’t too optimistic.
The injury represents a tough blow for Von Miller, considering he was preparing to have a big year in 2020. After a down year by his standards, which still included 8.0 sacks and 46 tackles, Miller spent the majority of the year working on his body and making sure he enters this season in the best shape.
He was also set to benefit from the return of Bradley Chubb, considering Miller was often double-teamed last season in his absence. In Chubb’s rookie season in 2018, the duo combined for 108 tackles, 26.5 sacks, and 47 QB hits.
“I just tried to change that, and I tried to work as hard as I possibly could,” said Miller earlier in the offseason. “I didn’t take any days off, I didn’t go on any vacations, and I didn’t do anything but work out, grind and reinvest all the time that I would usually spend on endorsements. I just reinvested that time back into myself.”
Since returning from ACL injury in 2014, Miller was almost all-present for Broncos. In the past six seasons, in which he earned Pro Bowl nods each year, he only missed one game while playing impressive 5,251 defensive snaps.
