On a shortened week of practice, the Denver Broncos are working hard to get back to full strength in advance of a Week 17 matchup with San Diego. The team was again without their primary signal caller on defense at Thursday’s practice, while two pass catchers took steps backward.
Regaining their health on the short week is a double-edged sword for the Broncos. Denver needs a win over the 4-11 Chargers to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs, not to mention the AFC West title for a fifth consecutive year, but they also need to consider their long-term health as the playoffs approach.
The biggest news of the week may, ironically, not have any impact on the field, as quarterback Peyton Manning was officially deemed “healthy” to the point that he intends to dress on Sunday and serve a backup role to Brock Osweiler. Manning was one of three players whose practice participation status was changed from Wednesday to Thursday; he went from limited reps to a full participant – at least, as full a participant as a backup can be.
Two other Broncos moved in the other direction, however. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) went from full to limited participation and tight end Owen Daniels (back) did not practice.
After practice Kubiak clarified Daniels’ situation, saying, “…really it was just the fact that we went inside. He’s beat up, but if we were outside he probably would have done something. He’s just taking a day. He took all of the walkthrough and stuff. That’s really it.”
Daniels took a monster hit late from Cincinnati’s Reggie Nelson late in the fourth quarter of Monday’s overtime win over the Bengals. From the sounds of it, he intends to play Sunday.
Kubiak and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison did not offer additional details on Thomas.
Perhaps most concerning though, was that Brandon Marshall (ankle) missed his second consecutive practice. Kubiak was unsure if Marshall would be ready to practice Friday, but said, “You know, I wouldn’t bet against him.”
Playing without Marshall would be a big setback for the defense, as defensive coordinator Wade Phillips pointed out Thursday. “Brandon has been our signal caller—our main [signal caller]—although Danny alternates with him, but mainly in our sub-defense, too. If we don’t have Brandon, it takes a little bit out of us.”
In his absence, says Phillips, “Todd Davis would be our first guy to go in, or will be our first guy to go in if Brandon isn’t available.”
The final practice report and game status update will be released Friday afternoon.
Thursday’s full practice participation and injury report is below…
