The previous time Courtney Brown practiced, his screams of pain echoed. Monday, there simply were sighs of relief when he returned to the field with his teammates.
“It’s good to be back and it felt good to be out there,” the defensive end said. “I just want to get going again.”
Brown dislocated his left elbow Aug. 4 while trying to make a tackle. Brown has missed 33 of 80 games in five NFL seasons.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan said Brown will play Friday at Arizona in the preseason finale, if he doesn’t have any setbacks in practice this week. Brown will be one of the few starters playing against the Cardinals.
“He practiced today and looked pretty good,” Shanahan said. “He’s should be able to go full speed.”
Brown was one of several injured players to return to practice Monday. Tight end Nate Jackson (hamstring), running back Cecil Sapp (hamstring), cornerbacks Lenny Walls (bruised knee) and Jeff Shoate (knee) and defensive end Chukie Nwokorie (quadriceps) returned. Safety Jeremy LeSueur (knee) was held out of practice, but is expected to return today.
Bell not giving up
The situation is clear to Tatum Bell: He will begin the season behind Mike Anderson as the No. 2 tailback. Still, Bell said he will continue to try to earn playing time.
“It’s a long season,” Bell said. “I’ll get my chances. The time that I do get on the field now, I have to take advantage of it.”
Bell will provide a change of pace, with Anderson likely getting the majority of snaps. Bell had just one carry for 2 yards Saturday night against Indianapolis. Anderson gained 159 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown run, on 13 carries.
“I’m happy for Mike,” Bell said. “He’s my boy. But I’ll still be pushing him.”
Veterans go fast
Overshadowed by the pending release of rookie running back Maurice Clarett, was the team’s decision to cut veterans such as defensive linemen Luther Elliss and Raylee Johnson, quarterback Danny Kanell and tight Patrick Hape. They are expected be among at least 15 players officially released today.
“Luther and Raylee were two of the toughest cuts I’ve had,” said Shanahan, who added the early timing may allow veterans to sign with another team.
Shanahan said Kanell could be a candidate to return if there is an injury at quarterback.
Big blocker
Don’t be surprised to see 6-foot-4, 325-pound defensive tackle Gerard Warren back in the role of lead blocker at fullback sometime this season. Warren played fullback on a 2-yard touchdown run by Anderson on Saturday night.
“He’s a great athlete,” Shan- ahan said. “How would you like to be a linebacker and see him coming at you?”
Noteworthy
Shanahan said rookie kicker Paul Ernster will handle some of the kickoff duties Friday. It will be the team’s last chance to see Ernster in a game before deciding whether to keep three kicking specialists. If the Broncos don’t keep Ernster, punter Todd Sauerbrun, who kicked off Saturday, will handle kickoffs. … Defensive tackle Dorsett Davis was excused from practice Monday for personal reasons and is expected to return today.
Feeling the knife
The Broncos have to cut 15 players by today. At least 13 players already have been informed they will be cut, with two more cuts coming today. Here are the unlucky 13:
Player Pos.
Rob Babers CB
Kris Briggs RB
Maurice Clarett RB
Romar Crenshaw WR
Luther Elliss DE
Chad Friehauf QB
Patrick Hape TE
B.J. Johnson WR
Raylee Johnson DE
Danny Kanell QB
Cameron Spikes OL
Markus Steele LB
Tim Stuber OL
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
