Even if it doesn’t appear tight end Daniel Graham and outside linebacker Ian Gold will play Monday, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan isn’t definitively counting them out.
Graham and Gold missed their third consecutive practice Friday. Graham suffered a high ankle sprain and Gold a knee sprain early in Denver’s last game, Dec. 13 at Houston. The Broncos had a short day of meetings Saturday and did not practice. Without practice and with the Broncos out of playoff contention, it seems unlikely Graham and Gold would play. Tony Scheffler is set to play for Graham and Jamie Winborn is set to play for Gold.
Wide receiver Brandon Stokley was limited in practice all week because of a knee injury that sidelined him against the Texans. Stokley said he will try to play against the Chargers.
“It was my goal this year not to miss any games,” said Stokley, who signed a three-year extension with the Broncos this month. “That didn’t happen, but I want to get as many games as possible in. We work all year for 16 games, so I want to play in as many as I can.”
Wide receiver Javon Walker is poised to start his second straight game for the Broncos after dealing with a knee injury most season. Walker said he had his best week of practice this past week.
Merriman update. It appears San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman will play Monday after missing last week’s game. Chargers tackle Jamal Williams is questionable with an ankle injury.
Mike Klis and Bill Williamson, The Denver Post
