They may be broken, but they are not out.
Defensive end Elvis Dumervil and strong safety Marquand Manuel are expected to be healthy enough to start in the Broncos’ season opener Sept. 8 at Oakland after both underwent surgeries Saturday morning to repair broken digits on their right hands.
Manuel suffered a broken thumb on the second-half kickoff of the Broncos’ preseason game Friday night against the Green Bay Packers. Manuel said he landed awkwardly after trying to shed a block.
“He broke it low on his thumb, so he won’t even need a full cast,” said Ron Slavin, Manuel’s agent. “I’m assuming he’ll be ready.”
Manuel moved into the starting lineup to replace Hamza Abdullah, who has battled a nagging groin injury throughout the preseason. Abdullah was not expected to play against Green Bay but saw some action on special teams after Manuel left the game.
Dumervil, the Broncos’ top pass rusher, had surgery to repair a dislocated finger on his right hand.
“He’ll be there when the season opens in a couple weeks,” said Gary Wichard, Dumervil’s agent.
Dumervil sacked Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers for an 8-yard loss — his second sack of the preseason — before he was injured.
Decision made?
The way Nate Webster sees it, the competition to be the Broncos’ starting middle linebacker is over.
But that doesn’t mean Webster is sure he’s won the job.
“The battle should be over. It was last year for me around this time, but you never know, so you have to stay prepared for anything,” Webster said. “I had a good camp. I made some plays, but it all boils down to the head man.”
Webster started Friday’s game against Green Bay ahead of Niko Koutouvides, who played with the first-team defense the previous week against Dallas.
Friday, Koutouvides played in the second half and made two tackles.
Webster was credited with three tackles, including one for a loss.
Nalen’s surgery.
Broncos officials believe Tom Nalen’s arthroscopic knee surgery was successful and remain hopeful the center will be able to play in the season opener against Oakland.
The surgery was Nalen’s second procedure on his left knee since early June. Nalen, entering his 15th season, missed all but the first few days of training camp and was limited in his return to practice early last week.
Punting for a purpose.
After giving Brett Kern and Sam Paulescu equal playing time at punter and holder in the first two preseason games, it was only Kern who participated Friday.
Kern, a rookie free agent from the University of Toledo, punted twice. His first kick was 59 yards but was returned 43 yards by the Packers. His second kick was shorter, 41 yards, but good hang time helped the Broncos corral the returner for a 1-yard loss.
Lindsay H. Jones and Mike Klis, The Denver Post
