The Broncos’ leading man for covering Calvin Johnson was absent from practice Wednesday.
Cornerback Aqib Talib was sent home with an illness four days before the Broncos face Johnson and the Lions in Detroit.
“We sent him to the doctor and sent him home, but we expect him back tomorrow,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said, adding that an illness has affected “a few” players recently.
Fellow cornerback Kayvon Webster (ankle) also did not participate. Nor did Peyton Manning, who was given his Kubiak-mandated rest day for the week.
Kenny Anunike (knee), still on pace to make his NFL debut after surgery in preseason, and Louis Vasquez (knee) were limited, as was Omar Bolden, the Broncos’ leading kick returner, who hopes to be able to play, but is dealing with plantar fasciitis.
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Detroit desperation
The Broncos’ first two victories weren’t easy or pretty. And they’re expecting another tough outing at Detroit, despite the Lions’ 0-2 record.
The game will be the second-consecutive week the Broncos’ opponent will be playing its home opener. Broncos cornerback Chris Harris said he expects Detroit to play like a team desperate for its first victory.
“Desperate, definitely,” he said. “It’s kind of a must-win for them.”
Receiver competition
The game plan, the Broncos say, has not changed. Boosting the run game remains a priority, even after they won at Kansas City with Manning taking most of snaps in a shotgun formation. Improvement from the offensive line is a necessity, but Kubiak has repeatedly said he’s also looking for more “physicality” from his rushers.
C.J. Anderson, who has managed only 56 yards on 24 carries this season, said he was reminded from a critic what has been missing.
“My mom had to call me and say, ‘You’re just not having fun,’ ” he said. “I said, ‘You know what? You’re right. You’re absolutely right.’ We’re going to change that.”
Big-man reunion
Sunday’s game in Detroit reunites Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas with his former Georgia Tech teammate Johnson.
It also gives fans a glimpse at two of the biggest mismatches at the receiver position — Thomas at 6-foot-3 and 229 pounds, and Johnson 6-5, 236.
“It’s one of my advantages. It’s like boxing out,” Thomas said. “Like in basketball, going up for a rebound.”
Manning has seen first-hand how Thomas’ frame not only can be deceiving to defenders, but beneficial to quarterbacks.
“With his size, and his ability to elevate, don’t underestimate that,” Manning said. “He is (6-3), but he can play much taller than that with his ability to jump. It’s hard to overthrow him on the back shoulder because he has so much range. “
Footnotes
Lions’ quarterback Matt Stafford (ribs) participated fully in Detroit’s practice Wednesday. … Sunday’s game will be Bennie Fowler’s first back in his home state of Michigan since earning a spot on the 53-man roster.
