Something didn’t seem right about the way Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was throwing last week.
His passes didn’t travel with their typical fastball velocity, and there were a couple of training camp sessions when Cutler didn’t throw the deeper routes.
Turns out, Cutler played last week with inflamed tendons in his right wrist, an injury that had healed considerably by Monday.
The injury wasn’t serious enough for Cutler to miss any reps with the first-team offense, but he was in enough pain that he wore a soft brace around his right, throwing wrist.
The mild case of tendinitis appears to be the result of excessive throwing. Cutler has been wearing long sleeves beneath his jersey to not draw attention to the brace, which he says he will wear for another week.
“It felt a lot better today,” Cutler said. “We’ve been icing it and rehabbing it quite a bit. Everything’s fine now.”
After a welcome day off Sunday, Cutler threw considerably better Monday. Cutler and the first-team offense are expected to play one or two series in the Broncos’ preseason opener Monday night at San Francisco.
Tight end Scheffler making progress
Tony Scheffler may be able to wear his Broncos uniform today a little longer than he did Tuesday, maybe for 45 minutes or so.
At this point, Scheffler will take what he can get.
“It’s something, and I think each day I’ll be on the field a little more than the last,” the Broncos tight end said.
Scheffler, who broke his foot during offseason workouts, was taken off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Tuesday and transferred to the active roster. The second-round pick in the 2006 draft was on the field, in uniform, for individual passing drills for about 30 minutes during the morning practice. He then trotted back to the locker room and changed out of his uniform. Within minutes, he was in his familiar workout gear and headed to the weight room for another session of rehabilitation work.
This will likely be a familiar scene for Scheffler in the coming days. He said he is aiming to play in Denver’s second preseason game, Aug. 18 at Dallas.
“He is still a ways away, but it is a first step,” coach Mike Shanahan said of Scheffler, who finished his rookie season strong.
The Broncos still have two wide receivers, Brandon Marshall (quadriceps) and Rod Smith (hip), on the PUP list.
Injury bug bites
Several Broncos were dealing with injuries Tuesday.
Offensive tackle Matt Lepsis left practice because of a groin injury, but said it was minor. Rookie defensive end Jarvis Moss sat out practice after twisting his knee Monday and is day to day. Ben Hamilton, a guard who sat out because of a concussion, also is day to day. Safety Quentin Harris banged his knee during the morning workout, as did defensive tackle Gerard Warren.
Shanahan said defensive tackle Sam Adams will practice one day and then work out in the weight room for two days to rehab a surgically repaired knee. Wide receiver Brandon Stokley continues to have tightness in his leg. Linebacker Warrick Holdman, who suffered a spinal cord concussion last week, said he is close to being cleared by doctors to resume practicing.
New holder for Elam
Special teams coach Scott O’Brien said punters Todd Sauerbrun and Paul Ernster will hold on field-goal attempts and PATs against San Francisco in the Broncos’ preseason opener Monday night. Both are expected to punt. The Broncos are looking for a new holder for kicker Jason Elam, with Jake Plummer gone. Quarterbacks Cutler and Patrick Ramsey may get some holding time in the preseason as well.
Safety situation
There hasn’t been much talk between the Broncos and Kansas City recently about safety Greg Wesley. Even though Wesley has been relegated to the second team in Kansas City’s camp, the Broncos’ interest in him may have waned because of the play of backup safeties Hamza Abdullah and Curome Cox (both have had outstanding camps) and the Chiefs’ asking price.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
Staff writer Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
