Javon Walker could be the Broncos’ best big-play receiver. As opposed to, you know, actually being their best big-play receiver.
Walker didn’t play in Sunday’s 41-7 victory over the Chiefs after his never-ending knee problems limited him in practice on Friday. Walker, along with tens of thousands of other spectators, saw Brandon Marshall catch two touchdown passes and surpass the 1,000 mark in receiving yardage.
Marshall has become the player the Broncos hoped they were getting when they traded a second-rounder to the Packers for Walker. But Walker, after a solid 2006 season, has been hobbled by knee trouble for most of While his absence has been no fault of his own, Walker’s injury issues, combined with his big paycheck, have put his 2008 status in limbo.
Walker is due $4.4 million in bonus money during the off-season. That’s the kind of money a team’s go-to guy gets, but Walker isn’t that guy anymore. With Walker hurt and Rod Smith gone for the season, Marshall has grabbed the torch.
In a perfect world, a healthy Walker would return next season to team with Marshall in the best big-play offense in the AFC West. But if you’ve watched the Broncos lately, you know their world isn’t perfect.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s daily Broncos commentaries on The Jimmy Page at 7 a.m. and noon, and read his columns on Sundays and the day after Broncos games at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
