ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is still unsure whether he’ll play Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.
The All-Pro cornerback missed Denver’s last game against Pittsburgh because of a lingering thigh injury.
“It’s still up in the air,” Bailey said. “But I feel better than last week.”
The Broncos were scheduled to practice Friday night at Invesco Field rather than during the day at the practice facility to help prepare for Monday night.
The extra day of rest may help Bailey.
He’s still loath to go full speed when he does practice, he said.
“It’s just I feel it,” Bailey said. “When I feel it, that’s really not good. I can play through some pain, but stretching and pulling is another thing.”
Coach Mike Shanahan said Bailey, as much he may want to play, knows when he can and cannot go. Bailey has only missed three games in his career because of injury.
Third-year cornerback Domonique Foxworth played in Bailey’s stead against the Steelers. He rewarded the Broncos, collecting seven tackles and a pass breakup in the 31-28 win.
Still, the Broncos may need every healthy body available against Green Bay’s No. 3 ranked pass offense.
“It’s one of those things that’s up and down,” Bailey said. “Right now it’s OK, that’s all I can say, really.”
Running back Travis Henry’s status is also uncertain for Monday night.
Henry is recovering from sore ribs that have kept him from practice during the week.
Rookie Selvin Young is listed as the backup and would likely start if Henry can’t play against the Packers.
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TO EACH HIS OWN:@ John Lynch doesn’t expect to play against an air-it-out offense Sunday.
The Broncos safety is more concerned about Green Bay’s running game.
“They know to be successful, at some point this year they’re going to need to run the ball,” Lynch said. “I’m sure they worked on that during their bye week. I expect to see it.”
In a rather unusual scenario, Green Bay’s biggest offensive weakness is Denver’s biggest defensive weakness.
The Packers are last in the league in rushing offense, while the Broncos are last in rushing defense.
Green Bay’s biggest offensive strength? That’s Denver’s biggest defensive strength.
The Packers have the league’s third best passing attack, but the Broncos counter with the league’s best passing defense.
So what gives?
Even with a well-rested Brett Favre at the helm, Lynch is banking on a Green Bay ground attack.
“A lot of people are saying they’re just not even going to try,” Lynch said. “I don’t think that. I think they’re going to come out and try to establish it and we need to be up to that challenge.”
They could try even more because of the Broncos’ familiarity with Favre, at least in the secondary. Lynch and cornerback Dre’ Bly have seen Favre plenty, having played against him twice a year when they were with Tampa Bay and Detroit, respectively.
Lynch is wary of the pass, but he warns his team not to overlook the run.
“When a team is like that, you’ve got to be on the little details and you’ve got to do everything right or they’re going to expose you,” Lynch said.
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MOSS-MAN:@ Jarvis Moss is looking forward to his first Monday Night Football game.
He’s even more excited to be playing in front of a national audience against one of the league’s best: Favre.
“Brett’s a great player. He’s proven himself. He’s done it on the big stage,” Moss said. “It’s just exciting getting to compete against him and line up against him and see what you’ve got against him.”
The rookie defensive end has played well for the Broncos, getting a sack and forcing a fumble through the team’s first six games.
But things are a little different this week against Favre.
“You think about him at night when you’re at home,” Moss said. “I hear them talk about how Brett has played such and such games without missing a game. He’s a warrior, a fighter. He puts it all on the line for his team.”
