NASHVILLE — The Broncos have three starters back in uniform for their first road game today at Tennessee, the site of the team’s only win away from Denver last season.
Linebacker D.J. Williams, the team’s leading tackler in three of the last four years, will make his 2011 debut after missing two games because of a dislocated elbow. However, his playing time is expected to be limited.
Also back are wide receiver Brandon Lloyd and running back Knowshon Moreno, who both sat out last week with groin and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Despite the return of Moreno and Williams, Willis McGahee is expected to start and get the bulk of the carries, and Wesley Woodyard will make his third start of the season ahead of Williams, who is expected to play only sparingly, if at all.
Veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, warmed up a couple hours before the game but has been ruled out. Second-year player Cassius Vaughn will start again at left cornerback, charged with slowing Titans receiver Kenny Britt, who has 271 receiving yards and three touchdowns in two games.
Bailey joins injured players defensive end Elvis Dumervil, wide receivers Eddie Royal and Demaryius Thomas, tight end Julius Thomas, defensive tackle Marcus Thomas on the inactive list. The team’s only healthy scratch is reserve offensive lineman Tony Hills.
The Broncos are hopeful that Bailey, Dumervil and possibly Marcus Thomas will all be able to return next week at Green Bay.
Orton pick kills drive
Barring a last-minute miracle, the Broncos’ hopes were killed by a Kyle Orton pass that is tipped by the Titans’ Jason James and picked off.
Titans drive 95 yards for lead
The Broncos failed to punch it in from the goal line, and then the Titans responded with a seven-play, 95-yard drive to retake the lead, 17-14, late in the fourth quarter. The touchdown came on a pass from Matt Hasselbeck to former Broncos tight end Daniel Graham.
Broncos stopped at goal line
No guts, no glory.
It sounds good, but it didn’t work out for the Broncos. Facing a fourth-and-goal play at the Tennessee 1-yard line, the Broncos launched will McGahee into the middle of the line. He was stonewalled by the Titans and a chance for the Broncos take real control of the game fizzled. Early in the fourth quarter, the Broncos lead 14-10.
Broncos march 80 yards, regain lead
A character-revealing 16-play, 80-yard drive put the Broncos back in the lead, 14-10. Kyle Orton, 9-of-10 for 52 yards on the drive, smoked a 5-yard pass to Willis McGahee in the end zone to give the Broncos the lead.
Titans take 10-7 lead at halftime
A nice start by the Broncos has steadily eroded and the Titans lead 10-7 at halftime. A 46-yard field goal by Rob Bironas with 1:16 left in the second quarter is the difference in the game. Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is carving up the Denver secondary that is missing Bailey. Hasselbeck is 16-for-19 for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Titans tie game 7-7 in second
The Broncos’ lead didn’t last long. Tennessee quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was 5-for-5, including a 14-yard TD pass to Nate Washington, on an impressive second-quarter drive that tied the game at 7-7.
Broncos strike first
The Broncos took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Orton to a wide open Matt Willis. It’s the first red-zone TD the Titans have allowed this season. The drive was set up by a 30-yard punt return by Quan Crosby.
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
