ALRIDGE LATEST RUNNING BACK TO HAVE SETBACK
The Broncos have already lost one rookie tailback this month and they might have to play their second preseason game without another.
Anthony Alridge, the team’s third running back, injured his hamstring late in Thursday’s afternoon practice against Dallas, and did not take any reps in the team’s walk-through practice Friday morning.
Coach Mike Shanahan said the injury does not appear to be serious, but it was unclear whether Alridge would be ready to play against the Cowboys on Saturday night.
“It’s not a bad hamstring,” Shanahan said. “He thought it was a tweak, and hopefully it’s nothing more than a tweak.”
Rookie Ryan Torain, who dislocated his elbow and suffered ligament damage Aug. 6, is out for three months.
The team had another scare during the walkthrough, which was moved to the indoor practice facility because of weather, when No. 1 tailback Selvin Young got tripped up on the artificial turf.
“It didn’t look good,” Shanahan said. “All I heard was the thud.”
Young quickly got up, though, and Shanahan said he didn’t think Young was injured.
Lynch happy to be a Patriot.
Former Broncos safety John Lynch met with reporters in Boston after his first practice as a Patriot. Lynch, who left Broncos’ camp July 29 and was granted his release from Denver, did not say much about why he left Denver. He did, however, say how happy he was to be in New England, where he almost signed in 2004 when he left Tampa Bay.
“This is a place where they utilize veteran guys very well, and when someone has a track record, you’re interested in being a part of that,” Lynch told The Boston Globe. “So I’m really excited about being here.”
On July 31, Lynch was released from his contract with Denver. He told reporters he was leaving the Broncos because the situation did not “feel right.” He was also no longer going to be a full-time starter.
Defensive lineman Ebenezer Ekuban said he’s wishing his former teammate well with his new team.
That doesn’t mean his absence isn’t still felt here, Ekuban said.
“Irrespective of what was going to happen playing-wise or snap-wise, just being here, to see him, to talk to those young safeties, a good leader is definitely missed,” Ekuban said.
The Broncos play at New England on Oct. 20.
Robertson to be limited.
Shanahan said starting defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson will play against Dallas in limited action, just as he has been throughout training camp. Robertson has a history of knee problems, and coaches are trying to make sure he is healthy for the regular season.
“We’ll probably only play him 10-12 plays, just get him some playing time to get him in better football shape over the next couple of weeks,” Shanahan said. “He’ll play more against Green Bay” (on Aug. 22).
Ramsey on baby watch.
Backup quarterback Patrick Ramsey missed Friday’s workout because his wife was having a baby.
Ramsey took all of the second-team repetitions Thursday afternoon. Third-string quarterback Darrell Hackney, who was mostly idle Thursday afternoon, replaced Ramsey on Friday morning.
