Domenik Hixon’s time has come.
“Finally. It’s been a long wait,” Hixon said. “I can’t wait to show the team what I can do.”
The highly regarded receiver and kick returner is expected to join his teammates on the practice field today for the first time after coming off the non-football injury list Tuesday. Hixon, a fourth-round pick from Akron, was put on that list in July because he had broken his left foot during his March pro day.
As per NFL policy, Denver can have Hixon practice for three weeks before deciding to activate him to the 53-man roster or return him to the injured list for the rest of the season. If fully healthy, Hixon could help Denver. He was an explosive playmaker in college and could be a valuable backup receiver or play special teams down the stretch.
“I feel like I can help the team,” Hixon said. “I’m just anxious to start doing something.”
In other moves Tuesday, the Broncos put safety Sam Brandon on injured reserve, officially ending his season. Brandon tore his right ACL on Sunday at Pittsburgh. He is expected to have surgery in the next two weeks and fully recover. Curome Cox is likely to replace Brandon.
The Broncos didn’t fill Brandon’s spot on the 53-man roster Tuesday. They can wait to see how several injured players progress during the week, and perhaps promote someone from the practice squad based on the greatest need.
The two injured players of greatest concern are linebacker Ian Gold (hamstring) and defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (thigh). Both will be evaluated daily, and their availability for the Broncos’ game at Oakland on Sunday is in doubt.
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Jacob Rodgers from USC made his second trip to Denver in a week. The former second-round pick by Dallas visited Tuesday after previously working out for the team Oct. 31. That could be a sign Rodgers is high on Denver’s list. Tight ends Eric Edwards, Aaron Halterman and Paul Irons also worked out for the Broncos on Tuesday.
Doing it with the ‘do
Darrent Williams played two games this season with a mohawk. Now, rookie receiver Brandon Marshall has given himself a shorter version of the mohawk, which he unveiled Sunday at Pittsburgh.
“I’m keeping it,” Marshall said. “I had a pretty good game, so I’m keeping it.”
Footnotes
Jake Plummer is one of three quarterbacks who are finalists for the FedEx Air NFL player of the week honors. … Left tackle Matt Lepsis had successful surgery Tuesday to repair his right ACL. … Raiders offensive lineman Barry Sims (abdominal) is questionable for Sunday’s game. … The Broncos are nine-point favorites Sunday. … This is what a six takeaway/no giveaway game will do: In one week, the Broncos jumped from a tie for 19th in the NFL in turnover margin (minus-2) to eighth (plus-4).
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
