Denver Broncos Quarterback "Full Go" for Week 16

The Denver Broncos won't have to survive the absence of their starting quarterback any longer. According to head coach Nathaniel Hackett, Russell Wilson has cleared concussion protocol and will be ready to go for a Christmas Day matchup with the Los Angeles Rams.

Russell Wilson is full go this week, per Hackett
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) December 21, 2022

Wilson missed the Broncos' Week 15 24-15 win over the Arizona Cardinals due to a concussion suffered in the second half of a 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14. Brett Rypien started in his place, throwing for 197 yards but absorbing a ludicrous seven sacks. Overall, the backup netted only 156 yards on 33 dropbacks.

Wilson has been Broncos fans' primary culprit for an embarrassing season on offense. The veteran quarterback has averaged 210.5 net passing yards per game for an offense scoring a league-worst 15.6 points per game. Shortly after trading multiple first-round picks for the nine-time Pro Bowler, the Broncos signed Wilson to a monster five-year, $245 million extension that carries through the 2028 season, so he'll get every opportunity to rebound next year.

Wilson entered the NFL as the 75th overall pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2012 NFL Draft. An immediate sensation, Wilson made four-straight Pro Bowls to open his career and led the Seahawks to consecutive Super Bowl appearances following the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Famous for his rare mobility, ability to extend plays, and penchant for dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks, Wilson led six top-10 scoring offenses in his 10 seasons prior to joining the Broncos, peaking with the fourth-most points in the league in 2015. It's possible he will recapture his former glory with another year in the Broncos' system.