Glenn Martinez will have a keepsake of the Broncos’ first punt return for a touchdown in four years. Martinez will be honored as the AFC’s special-teams player of the week in the wake of his 80-yard punt return for a touchdown during the first quarter of Denver’s 34-20 win over the Tennessee Titans on Monday night.
Martinez’s return was Denver’s first since Rod Smith had a punt return for a score Nov. 16, 2003, against San Diego. It was the first such award for Martinez in his two-season NFL career. He was previously with Detroit. It is the second time a Denver player won this award this season. Kicker Jason Elam won it after an overtime field goal to beat Oakland in Week 2.
Walker update. The Broncos and receiver Javon Walker have maintained for a week that he hopes to return to the practice field on a full-time basis starting this week with hopes of playing Sunday against Chicago. Walker has said if he can’t face Chicago, he hopes to play at Oakland on Dec. 2.
Walker has missed the past seven games with a knee injury that required minor surgery Oct. 19. Walker has said he feels healthy enough to try to play but has been unsure he can handle a full week of practice, and until that point he likely won’t play. Walker’s knee injury could eventually require microfracture surgery if he suffers a setback.
Footnotes. Newly signed defensive lineman Kenny Peterson played in the rotation Monday. . . . The Broncos didn’t conduct any player workouts Tuesday. . . . Denver has moved up from No. 31 to No. 30 in run defense. Denver is allowing an average of 149.2 yards a game on the ground. . . . Safety John Lynch is one of eight finalists for the Home Depot NFL Neighborhood MVP program that recognizes the player who is most committed to giving back to his community.
