Barring an overnight medical miracle that heals Kyle Orton’s bum ankle, Chris Simms will be the Broncos’ starting quarterback today against the Chargers.
As of Saturday night, the plan was to give Orton, the Broncos’ No. 1 quarterback through their first nine games, one more try this morning.
But unless Orton’s badly sprained left ankle dramatically improves overnight, he is expected to surrender his starting role to Simms today when the Broncos play the Chargers in the potentially pivotal AFC West game at Invesco Field at Mile High.
At stake is sole possession of the division lead. The Broncos are 6-3, having lost three in a row since defeating the Chargers in San Diego on Oct. 19. The Chargers are 6-3, having won four in a row since losing to the Broncos.
Orton suffered the sprained ankle late in the first half last Sunday during a 27-17 loss to the Redskins in Landover, Md.
He did not play during the second half of that game and was unable to practice all week.
Although Orton probably won’t be a starter today, he may put on a uniform and watch from the sideline. In fact, the Broncos may activate all three of their quarterbacks — Simms, Orton and rookie Tom Brandstater — for the rematch with the Chargers.
Improved health.
At last, a bit of good news for the Broncos on the injury front.
Of the seven players listed on the Broncos’ final injury report of the week, only one, safety Josh Barrett, plays defense. And Barrett, whose primary role is on special teams, is listed as probable after missing last week’s game because of a hamstring injury.
That means the Denver defense is as healthy as it has been in weeks, particularly on the line, where defensive end Ryan McBean is set to return from the knee injury that kept him out against Pittsburgh and Washington.
Mike Klis and Lindsay H. Jones, The Denver Post
