Even if his left knee isn’t 100 percent, and he’s only participated in half a practice this week, Broncos running back Travis Henry will likely be given the chance to play Monday night against the Tennessee Titans.
Why save him?
After the game Monday, there’s a decent chance Henry will have a full season to heal. Henry attended his appeal hearing Friday in Phoenix in hopes the league will not give him a one-year suspension for failing a drug test. If the league agrees with the test, it would be Henry’s third offense for marijuana. The league is expected to make an announcement next week.
Meanwhile, Selvin Young waits. If Henry plays Monday, Young will begin as the Broncos’ backup running back. If Henry can’t play, Young will start. And Young would be the Broncos’ running back the rest of the season.
“There’s no such thing as adjustment as far as how much I’m going to play,” said Young, who has 331 yards on 5.3 yards per carry. “I never get into that. I’m a young guy so my main focus is the same as it was the first day I walked through the door. I’m trying to find a way to help the team. Whether it’s for four quarters or five minutes or two, I’ve just got to be ready to give what I’ve got.”
Young and Young
During their days at the University of Texas, Selvin Young and Tennessee quarterback Vince Young were road roommates.
“Best friends,” Selvin Young said.
The two remain in touch continuously, including a couple times this week.
“We talked about football a little bit but we try not to push any buttons,” Selvin Young said. “We’re both competitive people. Very competitive people. When we play PlayStation at the house, we’ve got an extra controller because one’s going to get broken.”
Footnotes
Broncos receiver Javon Walker is officially out for the game Monday. Special teams player Paul Smith practiced for the first time Friday and is listed as questionable. Safety John Lynch (neck) and defensive end John Engelberger (shoulder) have been upgraded to probable.
Tennessee cornerback Nick Harper (concussion) and defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (hamstring) again missed practice Friday and are listed as questionable.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
