One of these days, Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler will have a full complement of receiving targets.
It just won’t be the rest of this season.
Tight end Daniel Graham will try to practice today for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain Dec. 13 on the Broncos’ first offensive play against Houston. Graham will have to heal in a hurry, though, if he is to play on Christmas Eve against San Diego.
Brandon Stokley isn’t sure if his battered right knee will be ready by Monday night. Stokley has been practicing on a limited basis this week.
And Javon Walker won’t return to 100 percent strength until sometime during the offseason. Walker did say his practice Thursday was his best since late September when he started dealing with swelling in his surgically repaired right knee. He has missed seven games, and had arthroscopic surgery in October.
“It’s been getting better and better, and I think having the weekend off really helped,” Walker said.
No call from the Duke
John Elway, the only Broncos player in the Hall of Fame, has lost a few team passing records since his retirement after the 1998 season. But now he’s about to lose a coveted record to a place- kicker.
When Jason Elam lines up for an extra point or field goal Monday, it will be his 236th game with the Broncos — one more than Elway. And no, Elway hasn’t called Elam to wish him congratulations.
“He’s a busy man, so I don’t think he’s too concerned about this,” Elam said.
Such achievement does bring pause for reflection. Elam said setting a team record in games played never entered his mind in 1993 when he was a rookie from Hawaii.
“When I came in, I was really hoping to get a year or two under my belt, maybe bounce around the league for four or five years,” he said. “Because that’s what kickers do. To be able to play for 15 years, you don’t even think about that. Let alone with one team. And not only one team, but here in Denver. It’s a great city with great fans, a great organization.”
Footnotes
Linebacker Ian Gold (knee) was again held out of practice Thursday. Chargers fullback Lorenzo Neal, recently named to his fourth Pro Bowl for his role as LaDainian Tomlinson‘s lead blocker, sat out practice Thursday with an ankle injury. Andre Hall is still recovering from a thumb injury that kept him from returning kicks at Houston. Glenn Martinez might continue to be the punt and kick returner if Hall can’t go.
Mike Klis and Bill Williamson
