Rookie running back Anthony Alridge joked with reporters after Friday’s 28-14 win against Arizona that no one had even seen him reach his top speed yet.
“I’m going to show you speed when I make the team,” he said.
He had reason to be confident: He had just rushed for 110 yards on 23 carries and had a strong chance to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster.
Turns out Alridge will have to wait much longer to show the speed that earned him the nickname “Quick Six” while at the University of Houston.
Alridge was placed on the injured-reserve list Saturday morning after tests revealed a torn ligament in his left foot. Alridge suffered the injury early in the second quarter Friday, but returned to the game after having the foot re-taped.
He left the Broncos’ practice facility wearing a protective boot and using crutches.
“It’s all right,” Alridge said. “I’m still here, so it’s going to work out for the best. I’m just going to take it as it comes.”
Veteran fullback Cecil Sapp also was placed on injured reserve after hurting his left quadriceps muscle. But as he left team headquarters Saturday, he seemed stunned by the move. He was the only starter who played against the Cardinals, rushing two times for 9 yards in the first half.
Sapp, the former Colorado State star, has spent his entire career in Denver.
“I never saw it coming,” Sapp said. “I thought I’d made it.”
The Broncos kept rookie fullback Peyton Hillis and Michael Pittman, who has split time at tailback and fullback this preseason. Rookie linebacker Spencer Larsen, who practiced some at fullback during training camp, also made the roster.
Marshall happy.
Brandon Marshall’s suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy began Saturday afternoon, and he won’t be allowed to rejoin the team until Sept. 9, the day after the team’s season opener at Oakland.
But Marshall will take it.
That return date is earlier than expected after the NFL decided to reduce his original three-game suspension to one game, along with a two-game fine.
“I’m pleased with the decision,” Marshall said after Friday’s win against the Arizona Cardinals, a game he did not play in. “It could be a lot worse. But it’s all about me staying in shape mentally and physically the week I’m out and being there for my teammates and getting San Diego when I get back.”
Marshall and attorney Harvey Steinberg were informed of the new ruling Thursday.
“That’s why they have the appeal process,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “I’d like him to not have any suspensions, but one (week) is better than two. I told him before, you don’t worry about something you can’t control, and just focus on football — and I think he’s done that.”
The Broncos will have only four wide receivers active for the game at Oakland: rookie Eddie Royal, Brandon Stokley, Darrell Jackson and Keary Colbert.
“As far as the wide receiver position, we’re so deep there’s not going to be a drop-off,” Marshall said. “We all bring something to the table that’s a little different. I’m excited to see those guys go out and play.”
Hackney among cuts.
Reserve quarterback Darrell Hackney, who played the entire game against Arizona, was waived by the team Saturday. If he is not picked up by another team today, he is expected to be one of eight players signed to the Broncos’ practice squad.
Hackney began 2007 on the practice squad as well and was placed on the active roster in November because of injury concerns with starter Jay Cutler and backup Patrick Ramsey.
Hackney completed 17-of-26 passes for 208 yards and rushed eight times for 35 yards against the Cardinals. He also scored a two-point conversion when he scrambled and then dived into the end zone.
But Hackney’s highlight was an 87-yard touchdown pass to Keary Colbert. It was the fourth-longest touchdown in Broncos preseason history.
Lindsay H. Jones and Mike Klis, The Denver Post
