Keith Burns’ injured knee has continued to improve and on Monday the Broncos’ special- teams leader said he is hoping to play Sunday against Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.
Burns likely will be listed as questionable on the injury report, and if he doesn’t play, he likely won’t miss more than two weeks. The Broncos initially feared Burns’ season might be over when he was hurt in the first quarter at Dallas on Thursday. However, an MRI showed a second-degree sprain of his medial collateral ligament and a stretch in his posterior cruciate ligament.
“It’s all about stabilizing the knee,” Burns said Monday. “I’m not counting myself out. All I know is it could have been worse.”
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Cornell Green has a second-degree shoulder separation and likely won’t play Sunday, coach Mike Shanahan said. Green had been rotating with starting tackle George Foster. Green should be ready by Dec. 11, when Denver plays Baltimore. Burns and Foster were the only Denver players who did not practice Monday.
Running back Tatum Bell didn’t practice at full speed Monday, but is expected to be ready to play against the Chiefs. Bell missed the Dallas game because of a bruised chest he suffered Nov. 20 against the Jets.
Elam likes one-step style
Denver’s Jason Elam said he will continue to use a one-step kicking approach at Kansas City and is seriously considering making it a permanent change in his technique.
Elam, whose strained calf in his nonkicking leg is nearly healed, has used the one-step approach the past two games and made three field goals. He suffered the injury warming up before the game against the Jets.
Before using the new approach, Elam, a 13-year veteran, used a 2 1/2-step approach. Oakland’s Sebastian Janikowski also uses a one-step approach.
Elam said for longer kicks, he likely will go back to his original approach.
“I really think I may keep this and I’ll definitely do it for now,” he said. “You’re always looking for ways to refine your game. This may be it. I really like it.”
Busy day ahead
Broncos assistant coaches Tim Brewster and Steve Watson are working on the logistics of seeing their sons play Saturday in the Class 5A championship game for Mullen. Brewster’s sons, Clint and Nolan, along with Watson’s son, Stephen, face Douglas County at Invesco Field at Mile High.
The Broncos’ chartered flight is set to leave before the high school game. Brewster said he and Watson are trying to work out other travel arrangements.
Mullen coach Dave Logan also will need to make special arrangements to get to Kansas City. Logan doubles as the Broncos’ play-by-play announcer on radio broadcasts of games.
“We’ve talked to Coach Shanahan about it and he is a very big family man and he understands,” Brewster said. “We’ll get it all worked out. It’s going to be a very exciting weekend.”
Footnotes
Denver released veteran cornerback Lenny Walls from injured reserve Monday. He likely will be claimed today. … Denver has the No. 1-ranked run defense and No. 2 run offense in the NFL.
EYE ON THE CHIEFS
Denver at Kansas City, 2:15 p.m. Sunday
For the record: The Chiefs are 7-4, tied with San Diego for second place in the AFC West and two games behind the Broncos.
Last game: Kansas City beat visiting New England 26-16 on Sunday as the Chiefs’ defense harassed usually mistake-free Tom Brady, forcing him into throwing four interceptions.
Streaking: The Chiefs have beaten Denver in 14 of the 15 games in Kansas City in December. The Broncos are 2-8 in their past 10 trips to Kansas City.
Who’s hot: Safety Greg Wesley made three interceptions Sunday.
Who’s not: Defensive lineman Lional Dalton. The former Denver player was arrested after an alleged domestic case and made only one tackle Sunday.
Key stat: Kansas City has won 17 consecutive home games when holding opponents to 21 points or fewer.
FYI: The Chiefs’ remaining schedule is brutal. The only team Kansas City plays that doesn’t have at least a share of first place is the Chargers, and they’ve won four straight. The teams remaining on the Chiefs’ schedule have a combined 38-17 record.
Injury update: Center Casey Wiegmann (ankle), defensive tackle Ray Simms (foot), defensive end Carlos Hall (hamstring) and safety Jerome Woods (hamstring) are uncertain for Sunday.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
