Another practice, more fallen Broncos.
The latest to go down are linebacker Robert Ayers and tight end Marquez Branson. However, Ayers’ injury does not appear to be serious.
Ayers, the second-year outside linebacker, left the practice field this morning with an apparent injury to his left elbow/arm. But he did stop to be interviewed by a media throng following practice today — always a sign he’s not seriously hurt.
“I’m OK,” he said. “I just got checked out. I’m fine.”
Ayers was essentially credited with two sacks during the team’s scrimmage Saturday night, although defensive players were not allowed to pop the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
Branson, the heir apparent to the departed Tony Scheffler, also was injured during this morning’s team drills at Dove Valley. He was taken off the field in a cart. He injured his right leg and had to be helped off the cart, unable to put any weight on his leg. It appeared to be a serious injury.
Here are more updates from today’s morning practice:
After a turnover heavy team period, McDaniels made the offensive unit run gassers for their poor performance in front of a mild crowd in attendance at Dove Valley.
Fargas will compete for time against Lance Ball, Bruce Hall and Toney Baker — players who have little NFL experience. Fargas, on the other hand, rushed for 1,009 yards in 2007 and 853 yards in 2008 as a member of the Oakland Raiders. Last season he was limited to 491 rushing yards on 129 carries.
Despite playing for the Broncos’ archrival over the last seven years, Fargas said that he feels comfortable in the new orange-and-blue uniform.
“It’s a little different, but it feels good,” said Fargas, who adding that he is willing to contribute in any role in Sunday’s preseason game at Cincinnati. “It’s always been a great rivalry. The Broncos have always been an organization I’ve respected. To be part of it now and to have this opportunity, it feels good.”
Fargas is also trying to fill the role of the “new guy” on the Broncos’ roster, as well as learn the playbook and make daily adjustments.
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can right now,” said the running back from Southern California. “It’s new offense, new system, new team, new city, so I’m just getting adjusted. But I’m expecting to learn fast and get in there a contribute.”
“That’s got to be everybody’s goal … just to play at a consistently high level,” quarterback Kyle Orton said. “Really, until we do that we’re going to struggle at being the great offense that we want to be. We’ve got to eliminate these practices)where we come out flat in the morning. We’ll bounce back.”
Orton threw two interceptions to rookie Perrish Cox and Nate Jones during team drills, as the defense dominated the offense. The offense gets a chance to redeem itself during this afternoon’s practice, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
The Broncos will hold one practice on Thursday when they start preparing for Sunday’s preseason game.
