After the coronavirus pandemic wiped out organized team activities in the spring, condensed training camp and then forced the cancellation of the preseason, NFL rookies were set up for a near-certain baptism-by-fire in 2020.
In the case of the Broncos, the lack of an acclimation period for rookies has been noticeable as Denver’s dealt with a long list of injuries through the first four games. That’s caused the Broncos’ rookie class to play 1,288 snaps so far, second-most in the league behind the Jaguars.
Five rookies have been particularly impactful. Center Lloyd Cushenberry’s played every offensive snap (269 total), while cornerback Michael Ojemudia has three starts and 272 snaps.