At 5-feet-8, Darrent Williams is used to the odds stacking against his diminutive frame.
A day after learning the remaining portion of his rookie season with the Broncos could be in jeopardy, Williams on Tuesday went back to his confident, beat-the-odds roots.
“Don’t ever count me out,” the right cornerback and return man said. “It’s not for sure over for me. I’m a fast healer. They’re telling me four to six weeks, but we’ll see. Hopefully, it’s a quick turnaround.”
Williams suffered a serious groin injury Sunday against Baltimore. Denver coach Mike Shanahan said he is hoping Williams can come back in four weeks through an aggressive rehabilitation. If so, Williams would be able to make Denver’s first playoff game. If it takes six weeks, he could target the AFC championship game if Denver advances.
Williams said the motivation of helping in the postseason is driving him.
“Playing this game and being part of this team is what I do,” Williams said. “I’m a player. I don’t want to be a sideliner. … I’ll do what it takes to be out there.”
Meanwhile, the Broncos secondary went back to work Tuesday in preparation of playing at Buffalo on Saturday night.
Rookie Domonique Foxworth, who likely will start against the Bills, knows if the Broncos can play without star left cornerback Champ Bailey, they can deal with the current situation. Bailey missed two regular-season games and parts of three others.
“We went into the Jacksonville game with Lenny (Walls) and myself. And we went into Washington game with myself and Darrent,” Foxworth said. “I’d like to think that by having Champ, this tandem is better than those other two tandems.”
Cornerbacks Curome Cox and Karl Paymah, a rookie, are excepted to play more.
“These guys have to look at it as an opportunity to go out there and impress the coaches and impress the teammates,” Denver safety John Lynch said. “We need them.”
Losman may not play
Bills quarterback J.P. Losman did not practice Tuesday because of an injury to his right shoulder and will undergo an MRI, Bills coach Mike Mularkey told reporters after the practice. Losman also has a leg injury.
If Losman can’t play against Denver, Kelly Holcomb would start at quarterback. Holcomb has made five starts for the Bills this season, Losman eight.
Denver injury report
Defensive end Courtney Brown missed part of practice Tuesday. Brown is dealing with a knee injury he suffered at Kansas City on Dec. 4, but is expected to play at Buffalo. He played Sunday against the Ravens even though he was listed on the injury report as questionable. He is listed as probable this week.
Backup offensive lineman Cornell Green practiced Tuesday and is listed as probable with a sore shoulder. Green has missed the past two games.
Quick turnaround
The Broncos began the work week in earnest Tuesday instead of Wednesday because they play Saturday instead of Sunday. Denver ends the season with three consecutive Saturday games.
This week figures to be the most challenging because the Broncos’ preparation time is cut by one day. The players had to change their internal clocks Tuesday morning, which usually is a day of leisure.
“This week will be the toughest because we are already on the Wednesday schedule today and our bodies are used to having the whole day off,” Denver quarterback Jake Plummer said. “Once we play this one on Saturday, we will be back on schedule. … In my mind it is Wednesday, but it is Tuesday.”
Footnotes
Shanahan was on the Florida coaching staff when Mularkey played tight end for the Gators. … Bills wide receiver Eric Moulds was back at practice Tuesday. He was suspended by the team for the New England game last weekend.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
