Houston – Maurice Clarett’s hiatus from game action has spanned more than two years, seven months and one week.
And it will stretch at least seven more days.
The former Ohio State star and third-round draft pick was expected to headline Denver’s preseason opener tonight against the Houston Texans, but he didn’t make the trip because of a sore groin.
“The MRI was negative,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.
“It’s nothing serious. It’s not torn. He is getting rehab right now, working out a couple of times a day in the weight room, getting treatment about four times a day. Hopefully when we get back, he will be ready to go.” But there will be plenty of other action. While Clarett awaits his first NFL game, Jerry Rice will begin his 21st season.
Rice, who sat out practice Wednesday morning with a sore heel, participated in the remainder of the team’s workouts in Houston.
He’s listed as second-string at one of the receiver positions behind Ashley Lelie.
Saturday’s game also will give the Texans a first look at their revamped defense, including first-round draft pick Travis Johnson.
Coach Dom Capers moved Kailee Wong from outside to inside linebacker in his 3-4 defense and picked up speedy free agent Morlon Greenwood to play middle linebacker in an attempt to generate a pass rush.
They got Phillip Buchanon from Oakland in the offseason, and he’ll join last year’s defensive rookie of the year runner-up Dunta Robinson at cornerback.
Johnson, a defensive tackle who missed one day of training camp before signing, said he’s up to speed and ready to play his first game. As for what will be in his head when he lines up for his first play, Johnson answered quickly.
“Violence,” he said with a laugh. “It’s always controlled violence. I’m going to go out there and work hard.” The Broncos will get to test that defense with their high-powered offense. Denver was fifth in the league in total yards per game last season with 395.8 yards and quarterback Jake Plummer threw for a Broncos single-season record of 4,089 yards.
Plummer said practicing with Houston all week gave his offense a good chance to get reacquainted with the 3-4.
Even without Clarett, the Broncos have a multitude of good running backs led by Mike Anderson. Second-stringer Tatum Bell had 75 carries for 396 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie and could push for the starting job.
Shanahan said competition is fierce at running back and several other positions.
“We’ve got a lot of guys fighting for positions and backup positions,” he said. “That’s what preseason is all about. To see how they operate in game situations and hopefully they play well.” Both coaches said they expect to play their starters for about 10 plays and then use the remainder of the game to evaluate players vying for roster spots.
“These games you’d like to go out, you’d like to see your team be efficient in all three areas,” Capers said. “But it’s real important that you get a good evaluation. It’s the first step in the competitive stages of being able to select your roster.” The Texans hope their offensive line fares better than it did last season, when David Carr was sacked a league-high 49 times.
Capers will start offseason acquisition Victor Riley over incumbent Seth Wand on Saturday. He said he’s not sure who will be the starter this season, but that he’s starting Riley because he hasn’t seen as much of him.
Offensive guard Chester Pitts said the line will be more consistent this season and that it will show Saturday.
“If we do things right we’re just as good as anybody in the NFL,” Pitts said. “But when we don’t do things right ohhhh we can look sloppy and ugly. So the biggest thing for us is doing things right play in and play out no matter how many plays we have out there.” While Clarett has gotten most of the hype, Denver’s top-draft pick, cornerback Darrent Williams has impressed coaches. The second-round pick is listed first on the depth chart at both kick and punt returner. He could start at left cornerback in place of Champ Bailey, who’s missed several practices with a sore hamstring.
Texans third-round draft pick Vernand Morency and Tony Hollings will both get a good look Saturday as they compete to be Domanick Davis’ backup.
Reggie Swinton, who played in Detroit last season, will return kicks and punts for Houston, but the position is not his yet.
Coaches have said Buchanon could help with punt returns, but they won’t risk playing him there Saturday. Rookie receiver and kick returner Jerome Mathis may not play because of a sore groin.
