Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the closing seconds during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos' Russell Wilson 'not happy' about not playing vs. Cardinals

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 12/16/22

Quarterback Russell Wilson cleared the concussion protocol but nevertheless has been benched for when the 3-10 Denver Broncos host the 4-9 Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett made it known Friday that Wilson is displeased with that decision.

"As an organization, we decided to give [Wilson] another week to get ready so he's ready to go for the Los Angeles Rams," Hackett explained, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN. "We informed him of the decision. He's not happy with it. He wants to be out there and play. ... But we as an organization, after talking and discussing for this entire week, have decided it's best for our organization, best for Russell. And we talked about this all the way from top all the way to the bottom."

Wilson appeared to be temporarily knocked out in the fourth quarter of last Sunday's 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs:

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— highlight heaven (@lowdarkhell) December 11, 2022

Per Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk, Wilson insisted Friday he wanted to play against the Cardinals and that he "felt great all week." The 34-year-old also admitted that "a concussion is a very serious thing" and vowed that he will do whatever possible to help backup Brett Rypien be ready to go versus Arizona.

Regardless of what anybody thinks about the Broncos giving Wilson a massive extension this past summer, the truth of the situation ahead of Christmas Day is that the club is already eliminated from postseason play and has zero reason to risk the veteran's long-term health across the final four games of the campaign.

As shared by ESPN stats, Wilson heads into the weekend 27th among eligible quarterbacks with an 85.0 passer rating and a 37.2 total QBR this season. He's 31st with a 60.4% completion percentage and has thrown 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions in 12 games.

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