The Broncos ended practice Friday with coach Mike Shanahan saying he was optimistic cornerback Champ Bailey will play Sunday against his former team, Washington.
Bailey practiced for the third straight day Friday as he recovers from a left hamstring injury sustained Sept. 26 against Kansas City. The injury kept him out of the Jacksonville game on Sunday, snapping a 99 consecutive game streak for Bailey. It was the longest current streak of any NFL cornerback.
Shanahan said if Bailey doesn’t have any setbacks leading up to the game that he will play Sunday. The Broncos traded running back Clinton Portis for Bailey in March, 2004.
“There’s a good chance I’ll play,” Bailey said.
The only Denver player not to practice Friday was cornerback Roc Alexander. He missed all three days of practice with a hamstring injury that kept him out of the Jacksonville game. If Alexander can’t play, rookie Karl Paymah will likely be activated for the second straight week.
