On an injury report extending a baker’s dozen long, the most significant names jumped off the page.
Champ Bailey and Javon Walker weren’t on it. How bad can it be at Dove Valley? Bring on the Raiders.
This is not meant to diminish the contributions of linebacker Ian Gold, defensive ends Ebenezer Ekuban and Patrick Chukwurah, cornerback Darrent Williams and nickel safety Sam Brandon. It’s just that so long as the Broncos have Bailey, their fine cornerback, and Walker, their splendid receiver, the Raiders will be considered the underdogs when the teams meet Sunday at Oakland’s McAfee Stadium.
“I hope we get most of those guys back soon, because it doesn’t get any easier from here,” Bailey said. “But if we get some guys to step up and play well and pick up that game experience, and then we get guys like Ian and Ebenezer back, that will help us down the road.”
For the Broncos’ defense, this is Rudy week. So many injuries, so many Rudys who normally don’t play finally getting their chance. Players such as Hamza Abdullah, Nate Webster, Louis Green, Karl Paymah and Curome Cox are about as well-known to the casual Broncos fan now as Rudy Ruettiger was to the Notre Dame faithful in 1974.
“Yeah, but let me tell you something, the guys we have here can play,” said Broncos safety John Lynch, noticeably recovered from the concussion that knocked him out late at Pittsburgh on Sunday. “Nate Webster, I’ve played with him since he was a rookie in Tampa, and this guy is a heck of a football player. Would we miss Ian Gold? Absolutely, but a guy like Nate Webster can go in there and do some great things.”
All right, so Rudy was a zero-skilled inspiration for a movie, while in real life, the Broncos believe their depth chart is loaded with untapped talent. The point is, call in the reserves.
Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said he has never had to overcome so many game-ending injuries on the defensive side of the ball as he did at Pittsburgh. Fortunately for the Broncos, the concussions have cleared for safeties Lynch, Nick Ferguson and middle linebacker Al Wilson.
And Bailey and Walker are in fine health.
But it appears the Broncos will need replacements for Gold, Ekuban, Brandon, Chukwurah and possibly Williams. Get in there, Rudy.
“You could say that but what Coach Shanahan has always preached to us to is, you may have a role on the team, but you don’t have to accept it,” Cox said. “You may be second on the depth chart, but in your mind, you think you can be a starter at any time and you prepare the same way each week. Now, it may be a more opportune time this week because there’s a couple guys banged up.”
Brandon played most of the game at strong safety against Pittsburgh last week until he suffered a season-ending knee injury. His role this Sunday will be filled by either Cox, who was otherwise the Broncos’ best special-team gunner, or Abdullah, who has been inactive the past five weeks.
“One of my goals this year has been to prepare as if I’m going to start,” Abdullah said. “And I can say I’ve done that every week. I watch films. Some guys when they know they’re not playing, they’re not listening during meetings, but that’s not me. I’m always attentive and studying.”
Gold, the Broncos’ every down outside linebacker, did not practice Wednesday because of a strained hamstring and is generously listed as “questionable” for the Raiders’ game. His replacement would be either Louis Green, previously known as a special-team wedge buster, or Webster, a linebacker who has yet to dress for a game this year.
“There’s always a point when you understand injuries are a part of the game,” Green said. “You have to stick together and realize that anyone with pads on has a chance to play. Now it’s time for some other guys such as myself to step up and come through.”
Ekuban, the Broncos’ starting defensive end, and Chukwurah, a third-down rush end, also are leaning toward the doubtful side of questionable for the game Sunday. They would be replaced by Elvis Dumervil, whose playing time would extend beyond passing situations, and John Engelberger, whose playing time would extend, period.
If Williams, who missed a portion of practice Wednesday with a dislocated left shoulder, is limited at cornerback, nickel back Domonique Foxworth and Paymah, the dime back, would get more playing time.
If it’s a bit much to call this Rudy week, it’s at least a chance to learn about the Broncos’ depth chart.
“I think we’ll find out good things,” Foxworth said. “I know what we have here and we have a lot of dudes who can play. It’s always been that way around here from what I’ve heard. I remember coming in last year, Lenny Walls was the other guy, Champ and Lenny. And Darrent and I stepped in and made it happen.”
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
