ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—The injuries keep mounting for the Denver Broncos. Just as Javon Walker was lost for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh, the team announced Thursday it had placed Stephen Alexander on injured reserve because of a calf injury.
Denver re-signed Chad Mustard to replace Alexander in what was already a thin tight end unit. Nate Jackson was lost for the year with a season-ending groin injury on Oct. 8.
Walker had been sidelined in the Broncos’ last two games because of excessive swelling in his right knee, the same one where he tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the 2005 season-opener when he was with the Green Bay Packers.
Coach Mike Shanahan said doctors thought Walker’s injury wasn’t serious, but serious enough to have a “clean up” procedure. Shanahan didn’t have a precise timetable for Walker’s return.
“Guys go down,” said coach Mike Shanahan. “It gives another guy an opportunity but it hurts when you lose a player with Javon’s ability. We have a number of guys we have confidence in and we expect them to step up and get the job done.”
One by one, and beginning in training camp, the Broncos have lost six players for the season. That’s also not counting Rod Smith, who is on the physically unable to perform list.
Starting center Tom Nalen’s injury forced an adjustment along the offensive line. Mustard may provide some insurance there too, as he was moved from tight end to tackle during a previous go-around with the Broncos earlier this season.
Offensive linemen Isaac Snell and P.J. Alexander were signed last week because of the lack of healthy bodies.
For now, Chris Myers has shifted from guard to center, and Chris Kuper has slid into Myers’ spot.
On the other side of the ball, there’s cornerback Champ Bailey, whose status is uncertain for Sunday.
Bailey is battling a left quadriceps injury suffered against San Diego. He didn’t practice on Thursday and said coming off the practice field in a pair of sweats and a Georgia Bulldogs sweat shirt that he didn’t know if he’ll be available Sunday.
While Bailey’s status is unclear for the weekend, Walker’s is unclear for at least the next few weeks.
When asked if Walker could miss the season, Shanahan said he didn’t know.
“He’ll be out for a few weeks,” Shanahan said. “How quickly he comes back, I’m not really sure.”
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BATES’ BUNCH:@ The Broncos defense has seemed like two completely different teams in 2007.
First-year defensive coordinator Jim Bates brought a new scheme that relies more on plugging the gaps along the defensive line rather than slipping through and pressuring the backfield.
Through the team’s first five games, it’s brought mixed results.
The Broncos pass defense is the best in the NFL. The team’s run defense is worst in the league.
So what gives?
“We’re just trying to get better,” Bates said. “In this league there’s going to be ruts in the road. There’s not too many teams that can go 14-2, 15-1, 16-0, so we know there’s going to be.”
Bates and the defense will have to bottle up one of the league’s most potent offenses in the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
Running back Willie Parker is fourth in the AFC in rushing and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the league’s fifth-ranked passer.
“Ben’s having a much better year. It looks like he’s over his injuries and is doing a great job,” Bates said. “Running game has been very effective. (Parker) can not only run with speed, but he can run with power.”
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NO PRESSURE:@ Quarterback Jay Cutler admits to being frustrated.
The second-year quarterback said he knows times are tough of the Broncos offense.
No one is calling for backup Patrick Ramsey to take over the reins, but Cutler knows the pressure of being a No. 1 draft pick and the man who is supposed harken back to the days of John Elway.
” I know that quarterbacks and head coaches are probably the only two on the team they keep win-loss records of,” Cutler said. “A lot of credit comes my way. A lot of other things come my way. That’s the quarterback position. You can’t get caught up in it.”
