The Broncos plan to release reserve safety Sam Brandon.
Brandon’s agent, Michael Hoffman, said he and Brandon have been told by the Broncos the team will release the former fourth-round pick, who has had a relapse in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last year at Pittsburgh.
Brandon will require another microfracture knee surgery. The recovery time is expected to be eight months. Hoffman said there is no animosity between Brandon and the Broncos, and the team has expressed interest in signing Brandon for the 2008 season after his recovery.
Under guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement, Brandon will receive an insurance payment. There will not be an injury settlement from the team.
“Sam is fully focused on returning in 2008 whether it’s in Denver or anywhere else around the league,” Hoffman said.
When he returns to the NFL, Brandon will face a two-game suspension from the league stemming from a domestic violence arrest. He was notified of his suspension this month and is appealing the penalty.
Brandon was a valuable player for the Broncos after being drafted in 2002. He had success playing as a “big” nickel back, covering opponents’ tight ends and playing on special teams.
With Brandon out, Curome Cox and Hamza Abdullah are the Broncos top backup safeties. The team also has talked with the Chiefs about trading for veteran safety Greg Wesley.
Brandon likely will be released when Denver starts to sign its three draft picks still not in the fold. Talks continue with all three as the team prepares to report to training camp Saturday and begin workouts Sunday.
Wilson update
Al Wilson is expected to see a neck specialist in the coming weeks. His agent, Peter Schaffer, said the former Broncos linebacker is improving but he has not been cleared to play.
The Broncos released Wilson in April, three weeks after he failed a physical by the Giants. The teams had agreed on a trade, contingent on Wilson passing the physical. Wilson injured his neck last December.
“Al is progressing well,” Schaffer said. “He’s not going to play football until the only risks he has are normal football risks.”
Schaffer said he has received many calls about Wilson’s availability. Wilson, 30, was a defensive captain and a five-time Pro Bowl selection while with the Broncos.
Good question
The Broncos’ Ring of Fame selection committee will have an interesting question to answer when it meets in the coming weeks. Is former running back Terrell Davis eligible yet?
Davis last played for the Broncos in 2001, but he was on injured reserve the next season.
The Ring of Fame requires a player to be gone five years from the franchise for eligibility. Davis was eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, which may help the argument he also should be eligible for the team’s Ring of Fame.
Footnotes
The Broncos have extended their TV contract with KCNC-4 through 2010. Seventeen of the Broncos’ 20 preseason and regular-season games this year will be broadcast on Denver’s CBS affiliate in addition to five weekly, locally produced Broncos- related programs. …
The Broncos have hired scouts Eugene Armstrong and Anthony Kelly. Former Broncos scout Ed Lambert became a national scout with Houston. …
Because of a logjam at defensive end, a veteran such as Kenard Lang could be available in trade talks should another team have a need. With the emergence of young players, Lang likely would be expendable for the right price.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
