Retaining offensive tackle Matt Lepsis was a primary goal of the Broncos’ front office last winter.
Hours became days and days became weeks, but working at extending Lepsis’ contract was worth the time. That’s why the Broncos felt so satisfied when the 32-year-old University of Colorado product signed a four-year, $25 million deal with $9 million in guarantees in early March. Lepsis is a perfect Denver offensive lineman, a perfect cog.
He also is an elite left tackle who would come in handy against nasty pass rushers such as Dwight Freeney.
Denver’s diligence to bring Lepsis back is a moot point for the rest of the 2006 season, beginning Sunday when Freeney and the Indianapolis Colts come to Invesco Field at Mile High for an AFC power clash. The Broncos’ worst fears were exceeded Monday when an MRI revealed Lepsis suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s 17-7 victory at Cleveland.
The season is over for Lepsis. Coach Mike Shanahan said the Broncos hope Lepsis, who will have surgery in the next two weeks, will make a full recovery and be able to play next season. Lepsis had the same injury on the same knee while at CU before Denver signed him as an undrafted free agent.
“Matt has been a warrior,” Shana- han said. “He has always been out there. He has been great in the running game and great in the passing game. He is one of those guys that you can always count on. It’s real unfortunate to have this type of setback. It is one of those freak accidents where you don’t know why it occurs, but it occurs. We are going to have someone step up and play well.”
Shanahan hasn’t decided who will replace Lepsis. Colorado State product Erik Pears made his NFL debut in the absence of Lepsis against the Browns and finished the game. Pears appears to be a strong option. The team also could move right guard Cooper Carlisle to left tackle and insert rookie Chris Kuper or second- year player Chris Myers at right guard, but that would affect two spots in the lineup. Former Colt Adam Meadows is another option.
“We just have to see how it plays out. We’re still thinking about it,” Shanahan said. “I like the options.”
While the Broncos caught a bad break on Lepsis, they were more fortunate in the case of defensive tackle Gerard Warren. Like Lepsis, Warren missed much of the Cleveland game. Shanahan said an MRI showed that Warren suffered a right big toe sprain with slight ligament damage. While Warren could miss some practice time, the team hopes he will be able to play against the Colts. If Warren doesn’t play, Demetrin Veal will start and newly signed Kenny Peterson likely will play as a reserve.
“I think it really has to do with pain threshold,” Shanahan said of Warren. “We won’t know until later in the week exactly if he will be able to go or not, or if he will be able to practice or not. We have a couple of days, so we will see how it heals up and hopefully he will be able to go.”
While the Broncos are waiting on Warren, they had to react to the Lepsis injury. He was put on injured reserve and rookie receiver and returner Brian Clark was signed from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
The Broncos were set to look at offensive linemen today even before Lepsis’ injury. Some veteran players are available, including Kirk Chambers, formerly with Cleveland. Denver will look at an offensive lineman to fill the practice-squad spot.
Expect the replacement for Lepsis to come in-house. The Broncos like Meadows, a former Colts standout who is back in the league for the first time since 2003, but he has lingering shoulder injuries. Shanahan said Meadows had an MRI on Monday, which showed no new damage.
The Broncos were hoping Lepsis’ injury would be nothing more than a twisted knee, the original diagnosis. Lepsis played one more play after the injury. He walked off the field on his own and into the locker room for X-rays several minutes later. After the game, he was enjoying the victory with teammates and was walking without assistance.
“Anytime you lose one of your top players for the season it is always a pretty good punch, a knockout punch almost,” Shanahan said. “That is just the nature of this game.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
