ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—For the first time in weeks, the Denver Broncos don’t have to scratch any extra names off the roster.
The Broncos got through a 27-11 win over the Chiefs on Sunday without any substantial injuries.
And coach Mike Shanahan is counting his blessings for that.
The Broncos have already put eight players on injured reserve, meaning they’re lost for the season.
Starting safety John Lynch has missed the Broncos’ past two games with a pinched nerve in his neck.
Wide receiver Javon Walker hasn’t played since Week No. 3 against Jacksonville. He underwent surgery on his right knee and still can’t go full speed at practice.
And running back Travis Henry has aching ribs and a sore left knee.
At least those filling in are playing well.
Selvin Young shined the brightest in Henry’s stead, running for 109 yards on 20 carries and scoring his first NFL touchdown.
The undrafted rookie from Texas may have had the most important game, too. Henry is in limbo while he fights the league over the results of a positive drug test.
If Henry is unavailable, whether because of injury or off-the-field issues, Young has certainly proven himself a capable replacement.
Young’s lone touchdown tied him for the team lead, with Henry, Cutler, and Cecil Sapp. He also ranks third on the team in receptions (20).
“It doesn’t surprise me,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “He’s been doing this since preseason.”
Hamza Abdullah took over for Nick Ferguson at safety against the Chiefs and picked up a team-high eight tackles, forced a fumble and knocked down a pass.
Domonique Foxworth also saw increased time in the secondary because of Lynch’s absence.
“We thought that Foxy and Hamza would really help us in the passing game,” Shanahan said. “We thought they’d throw the ball a bit, which they did. I was really impressed with the way they handled themselves.”
There was no timetable scheduled for Walker’s return, though after Walker’s October surgery Shanahan said he’d be back in “a few weeks.”
Walker is practicing, but the Broncos are taking it slow with their biggest offensive weapon.
“One day he’s feeling good, the next day he’s not feeling too good,” Shanahan said. “We’ve got the extra day and a half, so that’s good. I would say it’s probably a long shot for him to play Monday night. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, but I don’t know.”
Lynch is still struggling with his neck. The All-Pro said on Halloween the stinger he suffered against Green Bay was unrelated to his 2004 neck surgery. But Shanahan said Lynch stills feels the aftereffects. Lynch doesn’t have any feeling in his fingers, Shanahan said.
“We don’t want to take a chance on him taking any hits until that numbness wears off,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think that it makes any sense. John’s such a warrior, he’ll play through any pain, but there’s got to be some kind of commonsense when there is no feeling in your fingers, and obviously no strength.”
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TURNING THE CORNER:@ The Broncos are finally out of the cellar when it comes to stopping the run.
Denver’s defense allowed a season-low 67 yards rushing to the Chiefs on Sunday. That puts them at 31st in the NFL, instead of 32nd.
“We’ve gotten better since the bye week,” Shanahan said. “We keep working on it and hopefully we can continue to improve. If you don’t get good stopping the run, you’re in for a long day, I don’t care who you are. Three yards a carry, that’s a big improvement. Hopefully we can build on that.”
The Broncos face Tennessee on Monday night. The Titans are the league’s fourth-best rushing team.
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A LITTLE LETDOWN:@ The Broncos did their part on Sunday to grab a share of the AFC West lead. San Diego didn’t cooperate.
Despite Denver’s 4-5 record, the team still sits just one game behind the Chargers for the division lead.
Shanahan watched the Broncos’ chance to tie atop the standings slip away when Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 29-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter that would have put Indianapolis ahead of the Chargers on Sunday night.
“Of all the guys kicking that, I think it’d be him,” Shanahan said. “It shows you everybody is human because he hasn’t done that very many times.”
The Broncos certainly would have appreciated an Indianapolis win. The Chargers hold the tiebreaker over Denver thanks to a 41-3 win against the Broncos in October.
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EXTRA POINTS:@ DE Josh Mallard, who signed with the Broncos on Tuesday, saw action in 46 plays against the Chiefs. “Any time you play 46 plays and have only been on the roster for a few days, it really is a credit to him. He’s a veteran and played quite well,” Shanahan said.
