Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall was asked Monday if the team’s slump can be blamed on the heavy roster turnover that has occurred from offseason transactions and in-season injuries. Marshall began by saying there are no excuses.
“We stink right now,” Marshall said. “Do we stink? No, but right now we do. Overall we don’t. But we can definitely get it turned around if we get our heads out and start making plays.”
Javon, Lynch updates. The Broncos have not counted out receiver Javon Walker from practicing next week or from playing in their next home game, Nov. 19 against Tennessee. Walker has not played since the third game, against Jacksonville, because of a knee injury that was surgically repaired Oct. 19.
The team also is hoping John Lynch can return for the game Sunday at Kansas City after the safety missed the Lions game with a neck injury.
Roster move. The Broncos are likely to bring in Tennessee practice-squad defensive end Larry Birdine with designs of signing him to the active roster as soon as today. The rookie from Oklahoma signed with Tennessee last month after being cut from Green Bay. The pass rusher would take the place of first-round pick Jarvis Moss on the 53-man roster. Moss broke his ankle last week in practice.
Moss will have surgery today to repair his fractured right fibula, along with torn ligaments and tendons in his right ankle.
Footnotes. Glenn Martinez has sore ribs after taking a shot while making a catch with 1:11 remaining Sunday, but no bones were broken. …
Had Ramsey gone down, the Broncos would have promoted long snapper Mike Leach to quarterback. “I think all the handoffs would be no problem,” Leach said. Can Leach throw a spiral? “I can throw a spiral between my legs, so I hope I can throw one overhand.” …
Saying he understands how important shutouts can be to a defense, Shanahan wasn’t upset the Lions’ made a futile challenge of the Broncos’ touchdown with 2:31 remaining that turned a 44-0 lead into 44-7. …
Lions defensive end Cory Redding could be fined if the league determines he led with his helmet on the play that injured Cutler.
Staff writer Bill Williamson contributed to this report.
