Injuries — a 100 percent certainty in the NFL — create opportunities.
Two former Colorado State stars should benefit from absences Sunday at Cleveland. Outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett will start in place of DeMarcus Ware if the Pro Bowler remains sidelined, as expected. Running back Kapri Bibbs remains in line to be activated from the Broncos’ practice squad to provide depth and play on special teams because Juwan Thompson is dealing with a hamstring injury.
For Barrett, the start would mark the latest milestone in a dizzying eight months. After reshaping his body during the offseason and learning new pass-rush techniques, Barrett carved out a roster spot in training camp and never stopped making plays. He helped deliver victories over the Detroit Lions and Oakland Raiders with critical sacks.
“DeMarcus has two good days, but obviously he’s not out there today, so he would have to have to make a big step (Friday to play against the Browns),” coach Gary Kubiak said.
“(Barrett) is a great example, if you do the job, you won’t come out. He’s earned the right to be out there more.”
Barrett led the Broncos in the preseason with four sacks. He provides consistent pressure, and has gained the coaching staff’s trust. He served as the special-teams captain against Oakland and has played 97 defensive snaps, including a season-high 40 last weekend when Ware left with back spasms.
“It was part of the plan,” Barrett said, “but I didn’t envision it like that. I thought I’d be able to be a real good special-teams player and be able to contribute like that.”
Bibbs spent four weeks last season on the Broncos’ active roster, and will return if Thompson isn’t able to play Sunday. Thompson hasn’t practiced this week, increasing the likelihood Bibbs will be promoted. Bibbs carried the ball six times for 27 yards in the preseason, and has improved on coverage teams.
“Even when they told me I might be active, I haven’t taken anything for granted,” Bibbs said. “Last year, I used to get so nervous. I knew a lot, but I didn’t show a lot. I knew I had to work hard and show them more.”
Thomas update. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has not practiced this week, but Kubiak said he expects him to play — as do teammates. Thomas dealt with a neck injury in the game at Oakland, and the Broncos want to give him additional rest.
“He went out there and gave it up for his team, and we’re just trying to get him feeling better,” Kubiak said.
Through five games, Thomas owns numbers comparable this season (416 yards receiving) to last season (491), but he has only one touchdown catch vs. four at this time a year ago.
Line shuffle. The Broncos continue to deal with injuries on their offensive line, which should result in multiple blockers getting snaps Sunday. With Evan Mathis fighting through a hamstring injury, Max Garcia could get playing time at left guard. Ty Sambrailo and Tyler Polumbus figure to get snaps at the tackle positions manned by Ryan Harris and Michael Schofield.
Footnotes. Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan boast a combined 72 tackles, including eight for losses. “If there’s a group of (inside linebackers) who have played better, it would be probably hard to find,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. … Based on safety T.J. Ward’s improvement in his second game back from an NFL suspension, Phillips believes he will see a similar jump from defensive end Derek Wolfe. “It’s getting up to football speed and football shape. T.J. was a little sick that first game back. I almost caught it firsthand, so I had to back up,” Phillips said. … The Broncos haven’t scored a first- quarter touchdown this season. But their defense hasn’t allowed a first-quarter point.
