ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who has practiced as the team's No. 3 receiver since training camp opened, will miss "a few weeks'' with a fracture in his right elbow.
Fowler, who had three receptions and blocked a punt in the Broncos' 22-0 victory over the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, suffered the injury in punt coverage.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak on Saturday called it "a small fracture'' and said Fowler would miss "a few weeks.''
"We have to stabilize it here for a few days and should be able to get into running and conditioning,'' Kubiak said. "But he's going to miss a little time."
Fowler believes he'll be ready for the Broncos' final preseason game -- Sept. 1 against the Arizona Cardinals -- but few players who are regular contributors on offense or defense appear in that game. The Broncos are optimistic Fowler could be ready for the Sept. 8 regular-season opener against the Carolina Panthers.
"I can still condition," Fowler said. That's the good thing. I can still run and do things like that.''
Fowler added the fracture was "right outside the elbow'' and called it "not that big of a deal.''
Fowler said he noticed something didn't seem right in the elbow Friday morning, shortly after the Broncos had returned from Chicago. Fowler has gone from the Broncos' practice squad in 2014 to spot duty in 2015 to being on track to be the Broncos' No. 3 receiver this season.
He had 16 receptions last season and played in all 16 games, and he caught Peyton Manning's last career pass for a 2-point conversion in the Broncos' 24-10 win in Super Bowl 50.
Fowler also is a key special teams performer. Following Saturday's practice, Kubiak said he expected Fowler would be limited in activity for two days and then begin conditioning workouts so he could return to the field more quickly once the elbow heals.
"Disappointing," Kubiak said. "He's really playing well, but we'll get him back. He's going to miss a little time.''
