The Broncos realize Mike Bell is not thrilled with the fact he has permanently moved to fullback.
But they believe he can be a standout at the position.
“I think Mike can be a Pro Bowl fullback,” Broncos coach Mike Shana- han said. “I really do. He can be a special player there.”
The Broncos moved Bell from tailback to fullback last week. He is competing with Cecil Sapp to start at the position.
“I’m just sucking it up and trying to make the best of it,” Bell said. “Now, it’s my job to win the fullback job.”
The Broncos have not heard from any teams wanting to trade for Bell, which is fine by them. They want to keep him.
“Mike is a quality player,” Shanahan said. “I think he’ll do very well at fullback.”
Hamilton out two weeks
Shanahan said left guard Ben Hamilton has been given medical orders to rest for two weeks as he recovers from the lingering effects of a concussion that kept him out of the preseason. Shanahan said Hamilton will be re-evaluated after the two-week period.
Hamilton went to Pittsburgh last week to see a concussion specialist after he continued to have dizziness.
Chris Myers, who worked with the first unit all preseason, has replaced Hamilton in the lineup.
Paymah recovering
Backup cornerback Karl Paymah said he could play at Buffalo on Sunday if needed, but he could also be held out another week as a precaution from a concussion he suffered in the Broncos’ preseason finale Thursday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Paymah was knocked unconscious while making a tackle. He was taken off the field on a stretcher and spent the night at a hospital.
“It was scary,” Paymah said. “But I’m feeling fine now.”
Meanwhile, tight end Stephen Alexander was held out of practice because of a lower leg bruise but is expected to be ready to play Sunday.
Footnotes
To make room for Simeon Rice, the Broncos will have to trim a player from the roster. … Receiver Javon Walker said it is reasonable to think he could gain 1,500-1,600 receiving yards this season. … Linebacker Cameron Vaughn signed with Arizona’s practice squad, and offensive tackle Manny Akah signed with Kansas City’s practice squad. The Broncos cut both players Saturday. The Broncos put a waiver claim on offensive tackle Rashad Butler, but he was awarded to Houston because the Texans had a worse record and better claiming priority. Butler was cut by Carolina on Sunday. … The Broncos expect rookie offensive lineman Ryan Harris to be ready to play in about three weeks. He had minor back surgery Aug. 15. … Former Broncos punter Paul Ernster has a workout today in Cleveland. … Quarterback Patrick Ramsey switched from No. 8 to No. 11, and offensive lineman Chris Kuper switched from No. 77 to No. 73.
EYE ON … THE BILLS
BRONCOS AT BUFFALO, 11 a.m. Sunday, KCNC-4
For the record: The Bills went 2-2 in the preseason.
Last season: The Bills finished 7-9 and in third place in the AFC East.
Streaking: The Broncos have won four consecutive games against Buffalo, dating to 1995. Before that streak, Buffalo defeated Denver four straight games.
Who’s hot: Rookies Marshawn Lynch (from California) and Paul Posluszny (Penn State). Lynch will start at running back, Posluszny at middle linebacker.
Who’s not: Jason Whittle lost the right guard battle to Brad Butler.
Key stat: The Bills had two players with more than 34 receptions last season. Lee Evans had 82 and Peerless Price finished with 49.
FYI: Broncos running back Travis Henry and defensive tackle Sam Adams will make their Denver debuts against the Bills. Henry played for Buffalo for four seasons. Adams was with the Bills for three seasons.
Coachspeak: “I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Freddie Jackson because he did stand out in that football game. I think anybody that watched it would notice Fred Jackson, the effort he gave and the plays that he made were really good ones.” – Coach Dick Jauron, on the Bills’ 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back from Coe College
