Denver defensive tackle Gerard Warren said Friday, after practicing for the first time this week, that he expects to play Sunday in the Broncos’ pivotal game against Indianapolis at Invesco Field at Mile High.
“I’m banking on playing,” Warren said. “It’s a long two days before the game. I hope I’ll be ready.”
Warren participated in all of Denver’s 90-minute workout, the final workout before playing the Colts. Denver coach Mike Shanahan said he will review the practice film of Warren’s participation and it will be a game-time decision on whether he can play. Warren missed most of the Broncos’ win at Cleveland last week with a sprained right big toe. If Warren can’t play, Demetrin Veal, who spelled him last week, likely will start with newly signed Kenny Peterson playing a backup role.
Meanwhile, Shanahan continued to say he will announce his starting left tackle Sunday. A strong candidate to replace Matt Lepsis is Erik Pears, who replaced Lepsis early in the second quarter in Cleveland after Lepsis tore his right ACL and was lost for the season. Pears, a Denver and Colorado State product, made his NFL debut last week.
If Pears doesn’t play, Adam Meadows could be used or right guard Cooper Carlisle could be shifted to left tackle and rookie Chris Kuper could be inserted at right guard.
Davis early nominee
Former Broncos star running back Terrell Davis is on the list of 11 nominees submitted Friday for possible election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The list will be pared in the next two months to 15. The finalists will be announced Feb. 3 – the day before the Super Bowl in Miami.
Davis starred on the Broncos’ two Super Bowl teams. He played seven years with the Broncos (1995-2001). Many observers believe Davis might have difficulty getting elected because his career was cut short because of injuries.
“I’m hoping I’ve done enough,” Davis said in February. “The Hall of Fame is something I really want.”
Footnotes
Colts safety Bob Sanders didn’t practice Thursday and Friday because of knee injuries that have kept him out for the past month. Fellow safety Mike Doss is out for the year, so the Colts might be playing Sunday without both of their starting safeties….The last time the Colts were underdogs in a regular-season game, in which their starters played significantly, was the 2004 season opener at New England.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
