ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Champ Bailey missed his second practice of the week on Wednesday while he tries to recover from a quadriceps injury.
The All-Pro cornerback also sat out Monday, saying he was likely to play Sunday against Pittsburgh.
“I’m not where I want to be, but I think a couple more sessions of treatment and working out, I’ll be well by Sunday,” Bailey said Monday.
Coach Mike Shanahan was more conservative, giving Bailey’s status as day-to-day.
“He got some treatment, got a little work in the weight room. We’ll learn more tomorrow on Champ,” Shanahan said.
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WALK THE WALK:@ Javon Walker certainly doesn’t lack any confidence.
Despite a nagging knee injury, the Broncos second-leading wide receiver participated in limited practice Wednesday. He’s clearly hopeful for a chance to play against the league’s best defense Sunday.
“It feels good to get back,” Walker said. “I’m definitely going to go out and show what I can do against a good team.”
Though quick to point out the Steelers’ No. 1 ranked defense, he wasn’t exactly overloading them with compliments.
After missing the Broncos’ previous two games because of the injury, the good-natured Walker said Pittsburgh should be worried about his return.
“Last I remember, I had over 200 something yards of offense,” Walker said. “They’re probably sitting back watching tape on ‘Do we hope he comes back? Or is he going to come back?’ That’s what they have to worry about. I’m not worrying about nothing. It’s the guy who’s going to line up over me that’s going to be scared.”
Though he didn’t call out any of Pittsburgh’s players by name, Walker is certainly preparing for a big game.
“It’s just me and the defensive back,” Walker said. “If he’s not confident in himself, then he’s looking at me like he’s going to have a tough day.”
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SURPRISED AT BRONCO RUN DEFENSE@: Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker couldn’t believed his eyes. Parker has watched the Broncos’ run defense on film and was reminded this it ranked dead last in the NFL.
“Yeah, I’m really surprised because they smashed the run in the previous games we played them in the last three years,” Parker said. “They really stepped up and challenged our running game.”
Denver’s defense has given up an average of nearly 188 yards per game on the ground. The Broncos are well behind Miami’s run defense, which gives up an average 168.5 a game.
“They’ve got five Pro Bowlers up there on their defense,” Parker said. “Sometimes they get caught up in the game trying to make plays just like all of us.”
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin offered this bit of solace to his counterpart. “There is a fine line in this league between success and failure. I know they have the people in place to correct that and I’m sure that they are working on it.”
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PASSING MARKS@: Quarterback Jay Cutler gave new center Chris Myers some favorable reviews after working out together during the bye week.
“I got better working with Chris over the bye week,” Cutler said of Myers. “He knows all of the calls and he’s looked better and better.”
Myers, who started five games at left guard, is moving to center to replace 14-year veteran Tom Nalen, who was lost for the season with a biceps injury.
“Chris has some playing experience there,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s been in some battles there.”
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RETURN TO FORM@: There was little to be gleaned from Denver’s 41-3 debacle against San Diego. Cutler found a small gem among the ashes, the rediscovery of his favorite target in 2006, tight end Tony Scheffler.
“Tony is coming along well,” Cutler said. “He made few catches for us in the San Diego game and blocked a punt.”
Scheffler caught his first passes of the season for 37 yards against the Chargers. The second-year tight end from Western Michigan had been slowed down by a broken foot that he suffered last May.
“We tried to push him out there maybe a little bit too early and he didn’t have a lot of confidence in his foot,” Cutler said. “It affected his play and I think he got down on himself.”
“He felt like he should have be making plays for us like he did last year,” Cutler said.
Scheffler became Cutler’s favorite target a year ago when Cutler took over the No. 1 quarterback job. He made 18 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns.
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EXTRA POINTS@: The Broncos worked out seven players at kick returning drills after practice Wednesday. The Broncos’ 22.9 yards per return is tied for 19th in the league.
