Denver Broncos

Broncos rookie TE Heuerman still working despite knee injury

Published Jun. 30, 2015 11:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jeff Heuerman just tore his ACL. He quite literally cannot take big strides forward

Figures of speech aside, Heuerman is progressing in the rehabilitation process. He's expected back in the weight room sometime this week.

"Each day’s a bigger step, which it kind of sounds corny and it kind of sounds like I’m just saying that, but it really is," Heuerman told the team's official website. "I’m getting my flexion back in my knee, bending it — getting a few degrees each day is exciting. That’s kind of what I look forward to now."

When the rookie tight end can walk without a limp, he'll call it progress. Until then, Heuerman will watch Broncos practice with gritted teeth.

The Ohio State product is resigned to master the mental half of his new profession first. He's stuck his nose in head coach Gary Kubiak's new playbook. And he'll take home hours of tape on Owen Daniels, the tight end who's mastered Kubiak's offense the best.

Daniels is Heuerman's muse on the field. Ryan Clady is his support in the trainer's room. The two Broncos have become rehab buddies as they both work back from the same season-ending injury.

Heuerman won't stop crafting his game, even with one good knee.

"He’s going to know how to do it, he’s going to know how to go about it like an All-Pro and get himself back to being an All-Pro. I definitely take notes and watch and learn from him."

(h/t Denver Broncos)