Houston – Quentin Griffin considered the predicament. Would he rather have his friends and family watch him labor in person Saturday night, or watch during the regular season on television, running injury-free?
“Really, it was an easy decision,” Griffin said.
Those close to the former Houston-area high school star will have to wait. Griffin is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which he suffered last October in Cincinnati, and will be held out of Saturday’s game. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Griffin could play Aug. 20 against San Francisco at Invesco Field at Mile High. Shanahan said Griffin will be ready for the season.
Griffin, who has been practicing once a day, enjoyed a good week. He started last season as Denver’s No. 1 tailback before losing the job to since-traded Reuben Droughns, and is working with the third team behind Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell.
“He’s really coming along well,” Shanahan said, “but we don’t want to rush it.”
Griffin, who appears to be coming out his media-shy shell, said he is close to being at full speed.
“This is a process, and I have to take one step at a time,” Griffin said. “But I’m getting there. I feel it coming. In a perfect world, I’d play here Saturday night and do great. But that’s not going to happen. But it’s going to happen soon.”
