Brandon Marshall has been working toward this moment for nearly all of 2015.
Since undergoing foot surgery in March, the Broncos’ leading tackler in 2014 has been rehabbing and slowly working his way back into team drills.
On Saturday in Houston, Marshall will play for a quarter, giving him his first taste of game action since last season’s playoff loss to the Colts.
Marshall has been ahead of schedule with his rehab and even surpassed fellow inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (knee reconstruction) with his return to full strength. Trevathan will not play Saturday.
“I think Danny has closed the gap,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “Danny has worked pretty much full-time this week and practiced really good, but we just think Brandon is a little ahead.”
Marshall and Trevathan had the advantage of rehabbing together, but there wasn’t a competition to get back first. Staying healthy for the full season is the goal for both.
But when it comes to tackles?
“I’m going to be the leading tackler,” Marshall said. “You can tell him that.”
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Anunike timetable
Kenny Anunike, the Broncos’ backup defensive end who led the team in tackles in their preseason opener in Seattle, underwent a knee scope Thursday in Denver and is expected to return in two-to-three weeks, Kubiak said.
Anunike had five leg surgeries — four on his left knee, one on his right ankle — during his six-year college career at Duke.
Last year with the Broncos, he injured his elbow in the final preseason game, in Dallas, and was placed on the injured reserve.
Ward excused
Strong safety T.J. Ward was excused from Thursday’s practice for personal reasons. Ward came out for stretches but left early.
Injury was not the issue, Kubiak said, and Ward is expected to play to Saturday.
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Footnotes
Emmanuel Sanders (hamstring) is not expected to play Saturday. … DeMarcus Ware concurred with Demaryius Thomas and Sanders, who earlier said Manning has been throwing harder — and more accurately. “He’s that player that he’s always been,” Ware said, “but with a little more edge.”
