Frank Clark expects to return Oct. 8 vs. Jets from partially torn muscle

Englewood: Some help is on the way for the Broncos’ woeful defense.

Denver outside linebacker Frank Clark has missed the past two games due to a partially torn adductor muscle and he will sit out a third Sunday at Chicago. But Clark is aiming to return Oct. 8 against the New York Jets.

“That’s my goal,’’ Clark said Thursday at the Centura Health Training Center. “I wanted to be back sometime this week. But you know how it is (with) injuries and different things like that. But next week it’s looking like I’ll be back on the field having fun again.”

After playing in Denver’s opener Sept. 10 against Las Vegas, Clark was injured in a Sept. 13 practice. He said he has a grade three tear of an adductor muscle, which affects his groin and hip. He has been listed as missing practices the past two weeks due to a hip injury.

“I had a heck of a pass-rush move and then all of a sudden it just grabbed a little bit,’’ Clark said of the being hurt. “I didn’t think anything of it but I got an MRI and they gave us the news that it was kind of worse then I thought. It was shocking.”

In a 70-20 loss last Sunday at Miami, the Broncos became just the third team to give up 70 or more points in an NFL record-season game and the first since 1966. They are last in the NFL in scoring defense and total defense.

Clark is a three-time Pro Bowl selection who won two Super Bowl rings while playing with Kansas City from 2018-21. He was signed last June and, even though he didn’t start the opener, was being counted upon as a veteran pass rusher. Clark said has been feeling “way better” lately and is “praying” to be able to face his former team Oct. 12 at Kansas City. But he first wants to be on the field against the Jets.

“You can only hope that you’re going to be healthy and hope that you’re going to be back when you’re dealing with what I was dealing with,’’ he said. “I usually play through everything. I’m not big on weeping. I’m not big on telling my guys they’re not going to see me out there at practice on the field. So it was kind of a bummer.”

Clark said it’s been “very frustrating” to have missed games while watching Denver fall to 0-3. It was especially difficult to not be able to help against the Dolphins.

“It was a terrible feeling because at the end of the day, you want your guys to win, you want to see them be successful (and) you don’t want to see them experience hurt or defeat like that,’’ Clark said. “Lessons are taught and I feel like this is one of the biggest lessons that anybody who is part of the this organization could be taught. … (We need to) look at this situation we just experienced and use it as ammo, use it as something to fuel our fire (at Chicago).”

While Clark won’t play against the Bears, he is optimistic about being a factor when he returns.

“It’s going to be a show,’’ he said. “I can’t wait. I look forward to getting back on that field.”

In addition to Clark, not practicing for the Broncos on Thursday were linebacker Josey Jewell (groin) and defensive tackle Mike Purcell (ribs). Listed as limited were safety Justin Simmons (hip) and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee). Asked if there is any chance he could play against the Bears, Jewell said, “We’ll see.” However, the odds are against him playing, and rookie Drew Sanders is likely to take his place in the lineup.

Mims the word

Even with Broncos rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. in line to get more plays from scrimmage, his role on special teams is not expected to change.

Despite averaging just 15.5 snaps at receiver in Denver’s past two games, Mims caught five passes for 186 yards and a touchdown. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said he has earned the right to have an expanded role.

Mims had a 45-yard punt return Sept. 17 against Washington and a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Miami. Special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica called him a “dynamic playmaker” and expects he will remain Denver’s primary punt and kickoff returner despite increased snaps on offense.

“I think so,’’ Kotwica said. “We’ve had those conversations regarding the rep count.”

Briefly

Lombardi said wide receiver Courtland Sutton’s two lost fumbles at Miami were a result of “pressing” and thinking he had to “do something special” with the Broncos trailing. Lombardi is not concerned, saying fumbling hasn’t “been a historic issue” for Sutton. … Defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, who played at Air Force and is on Denver’s practice squad, plans to attend the Nov. 4 game at Empower Field at Mile High between the Falcons and Army and hopes to stand on the sideline. The Broncos have a bye that weekend.