'[He's] going to be a great Bronco for a long time': DC Ed Donatell previews returns of now-healthy Bradley Chubb, Bryce Callahan

[Miles]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When the Broncos' starting defense trots back on the field at UCHealth Training Center, the unit will feature a couple of new faces.


Jurrell Casey and A.J. Bouye were acquired via trade this offseason, and both of the veterans figure heavily into the Broncos' defensive plans. Casey and Bouye, though, won't be the only welcome reinforcements for a defense that finished 10th in points allowed last season.


In both the front seven and the secondary, the Broncos will return a pair of players who either missed the majority of the 2019 season or the entirety of the campaign.


As Casey aims to provide an inside rush for the Broncos, he could meet Bradley Chubb in the backfield, as the third-year player returns following a partially torn ACL.


Chubb set the Broncos' rookie sack record with 12 quarterback takedowns in 2018, but he didn't enjoy similar success during his sophomore campaign. Chubb suffered the season-ending injury in the Broncos' Week 4 game against the Jaguars and finished the year with just one sack.


Defensive Coordinator Ed Donatell, though, said Thursday that the NC State product "fit in very well" in the Broncos' scheme last year and that the pass rusher will be ready to go for the 2020 season.


"He's just good in all areas," Donatell said via Zoom conference call. "He's such a solid, consistent person in all areas of his life. He's just got a lot of skill and ability. But this is a [player] that's going to be a great Bronco for a long time; we just didn't get to see enough of it last year, because of the injury. We've seen him running on tape, and he's full speed and ready to go. You'll see a really good year from him."


Bouye, meanwhile, will be joined by Bryce Callahan, whom the Broncos signed in 2019 as a free agent. Callahan, though, reaggravated a foot injury in training camp that he originally suffered in late 2018. He didn't appear in a single game for the team, and he eventually went on injured reserve.


Callahan, too, is ready to return.


"On the medical side, he's ready to go," Donatell said. "He's running full speed. He'll be right in our camp and be ready to go. And he's been totally engaged."


As the Broncos look to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2015 season, Casey and Bouye should play major roles for Denver. Don't discount, though, the impact that Chubb and Callahan could have on the Broncos' defense.


After disappointing seasons, both players could rebound in major fashion.