A day after being carted off Ford Field, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler received good news.
He has a chance to play Sunday at Kansas City in a game the Broncos (3-5) must win to stay in the AFC West race. Cutler’s chance to play improved immensely when an MRI exam Monday revealed he did not suffer a hairline fracture when he was knocked out of the Broncos’ 44-7 loss Sunday at Detroit.
Cutler’s lower left leg was badly bruised. He received treatment nearly all day Monday and was not available for comment.
Cutler was injured early in the second quarter with Detroit leading 6-0. Detroit defensive lineman Cory Redding plowed helmet-first into Cutler’s fibula. Cutler was helped off the field and taken on a cart for X-rays. Cutler watched from the sideline in the second half as backup Patrick Ramsey played.
Cutler said after the game that he was “a little nervous” about his pending MRI on Monday, fearing he might have a hairline fracture. Any apprehension by coach Mike Shanahan turned to relief Monday.
“There’s no question about it,” Shanahan said when asked if the MRI results were the best news possible. “We took X-rays right away, but you never know for sure until you get an MRI and check for a stress fracture, and there was no stress fracture. We know it was a bruise, we know it’s badly bruised, and we’ll see what the recovery time is.”
Although the Broncos are optimistic about Cutler playing against the Chiefs, they will hold off on a decision until late in the week. Cutler will receive treatment today and attempt to practice Wednesday.
Ramsey said he’ll prepare for the Chiefs, but that’s not out of the ordinary for his routine.
“I’m heading to go watch film of the Chiefs,” Ramsey said as he left the locker room Monday. “Every Monday, I look at the opponent on film, and I’m doing it this week again. It’s really the same thing. I don’t know if I’m playing this week, but that’s how it is every week.
“I didn’t know I was going to play against the Lions until the game. … I am going to keep on working like I’ll be playing.”
Coaches and teammates expressed their support for Ramsey after the game at Detroit. He completed 29-of-46 passes for 262 yards and an interception. It was returned for a touchdown, and a fumble by Ramsey was returned for a score in the lopsided defeat.
If Ramsey gets the call against an improved Kansas City defense, the team is confident he can perform well, especially after he receives extra practice repetitions with the first-team offense. Ramsey, a former first-round pick by the Washington Redskins, signed a two-year contract with the Broncos in March.
“He played exceptionally well,” Shanahan said of Ramsey. “There are always a couple mistakes that you’d like to take back. I thought he played exceptional in a tough environment. He stood in the pocket and made some big throws.”
Shanahan said he’ll get a better idea about Cutler’s chances of playing after monitoring him this week.
“The MRI was negative, so that’s a good sign. There was no stress fracture. It’s a little sore,” Shanahan said of Cutler’s injury. “I think we’ll get a better feeling Wednesday, and we’ll see what he can do.” I
If Cutler can’t play, the Broncos will make a roster move to bring in a backup. One possibility would be practice-squad player Darrell Hackney. Long snapper Mike Leach, who hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since high school, was Ramsey’s backup Sunday.
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
