For the first time since early in training camp, Broncos defensive end Courtney Brown participated in a full practice Monday.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Brown will play Monday night against the Baltimore Ravens at Invesco Field at Mile High, but it is an important step in his recovery from a lingering knee injury.
“He looked good out there,” Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. “If there aren’t any setbacks, he may be able to play. We’ll just have to see. But he looked good.”
Brown has practiced on a limited basis in recent weeks. Monday’s practice was a 70-minute workout. Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practices will be more intense.
Brown had minor surgery Aug. 9 on his previously surgically repaired left knee. He hasn’t played since. Brown has maintained he is taking his re- habilitation day by day.
Meanwhile, linebacker Al Wilson was practicing Monday and is expected to practice full speed Wednesday. Wilson suffered a hamstring injury in pregame warm-ups Sept. 24 at New England. He played much of the game.
Reserve running back Cedric Cobbs might miss a couple more games with a sprained ankle he suffered Sept. 17 against Kansas City. Cobbs didn’t practice Monday.
Happy for Texans
Shanahan was happy to see Houston register its first win Sunday, a 17-15 victory over visiting Miami. The Texans, coached by former Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, head into their bye week 1-3. Several former Denver assistants are with the Texans – as is Shanahan’s son, Kyle, the team’s receivers coach.
“I talked to Kyle and they’re all really excited,” Shanahan said. “It’s always great to get that first win.”
Sorry for spitting
Denver receiver Javon Walker said Monday he apologized to a Broncos cheerleader he inadvertently spit a drink on during a timeout against Kansas City on Sept. 17.
“I didn’t even realize it happened, it was during the game,” Walker said. “I just turned and spit and it happened. I felt bad, I apologized. I even hit (fellow receiver) Brandon Marshall with some of the water. It just happened.”
Pryce’s opinion
Shanahan was asked to comment on former Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce’s comments to The Denver Post on Sunday, when Pryce said he believes San Diego will win the AFC West. Pryce was cut by Denver in the offseason and plays for Baltimore.
Shanahan said he wasn’t bothered. “But I understand you got to get it done on the field,” he said. “San Diego is a very talented team. It’ll be a great challenge for our football team.”
Bye-bye, bye
Shanahan said the Broncos’ bye came at a good time. Now the 2-1 team will play for nearly two months before it gets another bye of sorts. The Broncos play Thanksgiving night at Kansas City and Shanahan said the following weekend essentially will be another bye week.
EYE ON … The Ravens
BALTIMORE AT DENVER: 6:30 p.m. Monday
For the record: The Ravens are 4-0 and in first place in the AFC North.
Last game: Baltimore beat visiting San Diego 16-13 on Sunday in the final seconds. It was the Ravens’ second consecutive final-minute victory. Streaking: The Ravens have won four straight games for the first time since 2000, the season they won the Super Bowl.
Who’s hot: Quarterback Steve McNair. He has led the Ravens to final-minute wins the past two weeks and has given the offense a swagger it has missed for a long time.
Who’s not: The Ravens’ running game. Baltimore had just 56 yards on 21 carries against San Diego.
Key stat: 29. That is the number of tackles Baltimore linebackers Bart Scott and Ray Lewis combined for against San Diego. Scott had 15 tackles and Lewis 14.
FYI: Running back Jamal Lewis is coming to Denver after all, but it’s as a Raven. Last March, Lewis re-signed with the Ravens hours before he was to board a plane to visit the Broncos. Pursuing big-ticket running backs is unusual for Denver, but the team was intrigued because he fits the system.
Injury update: Starting left guard Edwin Mulitalo was lost for the season after tearing his right triceps tendon Sunday. Jason Brown replaces him.
Coachspeak: “We had quite a win against one incredible opponent. The character that we had to show – to do what we did out there in a 15-round boxing match. We knew that was the way we framed it. It wasn’t pretty. A lot of things have to be corrected, and we will be about that tomorrow morning.” – Baltimore coach Brian Billick, after beating San Diego
