The Week of Bolles. Broncos shutout from NFL awards as Joseph finishes second for Assistant Coach of the Year.

SAN FRANCISCO — It must be a fad.

On back-to-back days, Broncos’ cornerback Jahdae Barron and outside linebacker Nik Bonitto posted photos of themselves in hospital beds following their respective surgeries.

Barron’s surgery addressed a soft-tissue injury and Bonitto’s operation dealt with the wrist injury he played through most of the season.


Week of Bolles

He didn’t garner any awards Thursday during the NFL Honors program but it was a big week for Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles.

It started with the Pro Bowl where in the first half, Bolles, playing center eligible in the 7-man flag football game, caught a touchdown and two extra points.

“And one called back,’’ Bolles said from the NFL  Honors Red Carpet Ceremony on Thursday evening. “I was having a blast, man. I wanted to show that the big boys can get out there and catch the ball. Why not play in the game? They said we could. I snapped the ball – which I never do, but I got it to the quarterback, that’s all that matters – and I was open.’’

Bolles was a finalist for inaugural Protector of the Year award which went to Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney. It’s an NFL, not an Associated Press award, and the five-person votes weren’t announced. Bolles was also up for the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year, which was given to Washington’s Bobby Wagner.

Still, Bolles was beaming he was considered for both.

“A great honor,’’ he said. “I’m beyond grateful I’m glad to be here to represent Broncos Country, represent Carrie and Greg Penner, George Paton, coach (Sean) Payton, coach (Zach) Strief and coach (Chris Morgan),  my beautiful wife my mom and dad. I’m just glad to be here.’’


Prediction

So who does Bolles like in the Super Bowl LX matchup Sunday between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots?

“That’s what I think,’’ he said. “They’ve great receivers. They have a good O-line. Not better than our O-line but a good O-line. They have a great quarterback. They have a young crew that will get the job done, they have a great coach. It’s exciting to see what they can do.’’


Bronco Bits

Bonitto finished fourth in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year balloting. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett received all 50 first-place votes. …

Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph finished second to Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.