Duct tape. Band-Aids. Chicken wire. Creative solutions.
NFL teams become MacGyver in December, piecing together their roster and depth charts.
Wednesday brought promise and wishful thinking. Broncos edge rusher DeMarcus Ware (back) is expected to return Sunday, nose tackle Sylvester Williams (ankle) remains a possibility if his ankle allows him to move laterally, and defensive backs David Bruton (knee) and Omar Bolden (hamstring), plus linebacker Danny Trevathan and tight end Vernon Davis — both in concussion protocol — haven’t been ruled out. The expectation remains that safety T.J. Ward will require another week’s rest for his sprained ankle, but he said Wednesday, “I am really trying to get back.”
After missing four straight games, Ware has made significant progress. He appears prepared to play 20 to 30 snaps Sunday against Oakland.
“I did more cardio in my workouts on Sunday and (Wednesday) than I would in a game. And there were no setbacks,” Ware said. “I am on track to play. It feels good.”
In his absence, rookie Shane Ray appeared in 59 percent of the snaps, netting a sack. Shaquil Barrett appeared in 50 percent. Trevathan and Davis must be cleared by an independent doctor before returning to practice. Davis walked around the locker room talking with teammates Wednesday, an encouraging sign.
Bruton attended the Broncos’ Wednesday walk-through wearing a knee pad. He sprained his left knee and suffered a bone bruise in the victory over the Chargers. Bolden said his right hamstring is responding to treatment.
“It is already feeling better,” Bolden said.
Keo provides safety net. Need a defender? Look to Twitter. As injuries piled up for the Broncos two weeks ago, free-agent safety Shiloh Keo reached out to Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on social media.
“Keep me in mind if things don’t pan out,” .
With Bruton and Bolden joining Ward in the trainer’s room, the Broncos signed Keo on Wednesday. The former fifth-round pick of the Texans played under Phillips in Houston, starting 11 games in 2013.
The secondary is depleted, leaving Keo and Josh Bush, signed last week, to provide depth.
“I know the coaches, I know the system, so that should help the transition,” Keo said.
With Bolden’s status uncertain, Emmanuel Sanders is the leading candidate to return punts, but Jordan Norwood and Keo also could be used, coach Gary Kubiak said.
Back attack. Running backs C.J. Anderson (ankle) and Ronnie Hillman (foot) could return to practice Thursday. Backup Juwan Thompson expects both to play but remains ready.
“You have to treat the reps like you are going to start. That’s the mind-set,” Thompson said.
Pro Bowl snubs. No Broncos player leads at his position in the Pro Bowl voting. This represents a slight surprise based on the defense’s work. Cornerbacks Chris Harris, Aqib Talib and outside linebacker Von Miller provide the strongest cases to start.
Footnotes. Tight end Richard Gordon, who became a luxury for the Broncos after they acquired Davis, signed with the Baltimore Ravens. … Sunday will mark the third time in four starts quarterback Brock Osweiler has faced a coach with recent Denver ties: Chicago’s John Fox, San Diego’s Mike McCoy and Oakland’s Jack Del Rio.
