Champ Bailey can’t remember looking forward to a practice as much as he is looking forward to Wednesday’s workout.
The plan is to go full speed. For Bailey, that is a novel approach to this injury-riddled season.
“Full speed, it’s a big deal,” Bailey said Monday. “It’s different, that’s for sure. I haven’t been able to go full speed in a long time.”
Bailey said going full speed Wednesday doesn’t mean he will be out of the woods from a nagging left hamstring injury as he prepares for his first meeting against Oakland’s Randy Moss.
“I still feel it, but I think I’m at the point where I can go hard at practice,” Bailey said. “If I don’t feel great after this game, it’ll probably mean I’ll feel (the pain of his hamstring) all season.”
Bailey, who didn’t practice Monday, said he felt improvement during the bye week. Denver coach Mike Shanahan also said it appeared Bailey’s rehabilitation time last week helped him.
Bailey missed parts of the Philadelphia and New England games because of the injury he originally suffered Sept. 26 against Kansas City.
He missed the next two games. Bailey had a left hamstring injury in the preseason and suffered a shoulder injury in the season opener at Miami on Sept. 11.
Meanwhile, safety Sam Brandon, who has played some nickel back this year, practiced Monday and said he hopes to be able to play against the Raiders.
Brandon suffered a shoulder injury against New England on Oct. 16 and has missed two games.
“The Oakland game was my target date and I think I might make it,” Brandon said. “I’ll have to play with some pain, but I think I may be on target.”
Talking T.O.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ announcement Monday that star receiver Terrell Owens won’t play with the team for the rest of the year was a hot topic among the Broncos.
“I can’t believe it has gotten that bad,” said defensive end Marco Coleman, who played with Philadelphia in 2003.
“I’m glad I’m not on a team with something like that going on.”
Said Shanahan: “It sure looks like a tough situation from the outside.”
Walls update
Cornerback Lenny Walls continues to rehabilitate his groin injury at Dove Valley and likely won’t be healthy for another week or so.
Walls was put on a little-used list that requires he be released when he regains his health within a six-week window.
Walls injured his groin Oct. 23 against the New York Giants. There likely will be several teams interested in claiming him when he’s waived.
Eye on the Raiders
Denver at Oakland, 2:05 p.m. Sunday
For the record: The Raiders (3-5) are in last place in the AFC West.
Last game: Lost 27-23 at Kansas City on Sunday when the Chiefs’ Larry Johnson scored on a 1-yard run on the game’s final play. The Chiefs decided to go for a touchdown instead of a game-tying field goal that would have forced overtime.
Streaking: The Broncos have won the past two years at Oakland, 31-3 in 2004 and 22-8 in 2003. Last year’s win was the team’s most lopsided ever at Oakland.
Who’s hot: Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins. Has thrown three interceptions in 283 attempts, the best mark in the NFL.
Who’s not: Oakland’s defense still is having problems. It’s ranked 23rd in the NFL.
Key stat: The Raiders have turned the ball over only seven times this season. It is the second-fewest in the NFL behind Denver, which has six and is on pace to tie the NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season, set by Kansas City in 1982 with 12.
FYI: Former Denver defensive coach Keith Millard, who was not retained by the Broncos in January, is a defensive line assistant with Oakland.
Injury update: Receiver Randy Moss still is bothered by a nagging groin injury.
Coach speak: “I don’t rank ’em. They all hurt the same.” – Oakland coach Norv Turner, after the loss to Kansas City
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
