Broncos defensive lineman Matt Henningsen has run into some more bad luck.
Henningsen, 27, was carted off during preseason practice on Friday, with reports indicating that he might have an Achilles tear.
Although Denver has yet to make an official statement concerning the injury, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis reported that Henningsen did indeed suffer an Achilles tear.
Matt Henningsen of the Denver Broncos celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half of a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Aug. 11, 2024. Getty Images
The injury comes exactly one year after Henningsen suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in a joint practice against the 49ers — his latest injury was to his other leg, Klis reported.
If Henningsen’s injury turns out to be a torn Achilles, he will likely miss his second full season in a row.
Henningsen was competing for a rotational role behind lineman Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and Malcolm Roach prior to his injury.
After spending five NCAA seasons at Wisconsin, Henningsen was drafted in the sixth round by the Broncos in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Arizona Cardinals running back Hassan Hall (48) is brought down by Denver Broncos defensive end Matt Henningsen (91) during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals on August 25, 2024. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
He appeared in all 17 games both as a rookie in 2022 and in the following season before being waived and subsequently re-signed to Denver’s practice squad.
In those two seasons, Henningsen has notched 40 tackles, a sack and two pass defenses.
Since the 2023 season, however, Henningsen has yet to play an NFL snap.
Henningsen re-signed with the Broncos in March, and head coach Sean Payton said that he has been performing “really well” in practice.
“Well, you saw the reaction [to the interception],” Payton told reporters when asked about Henningsen in June. “He does a great job of seeing those screens or underneath throws. He’s doing really well. He’s exceptionally smart.
“He has great respect from his teammates. He knows the technique and the defense well. In a position that gets rotated and plays a lot, he’s going to be competing for one of those spots.”
