Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall was among the many Broncos players to come away bruised after Denver’s overtime victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
Marshall injured his right ankle and came out in the fourth quarter. He played 54 defensive snaps and four special-teams snaps and recorded seven total tackles (five solo).
“It got rolled up. He’s got a very sore ankle and actually is attending a funeral today, so I’ll know more about him tomorrow ,” coach Gary Kubiak said Tuesday. “Just kind of beat up in general, but he’s the biggest concern right now.”
Marshall is scheduled to have a magnetic resonance imaging exam on his ankle Wednesday.
Prater released. Safety Shaun Prater was released Tuesday, a week after the Broncos signed him when David Bruton was placed on injured reserve.
Prater was inactive for Monday’s game, as starters T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart returned from injuries. Fellow safety Omar Bolden, who has been out with a hamstring injury, continues his recovery and could return soon.
“Getting all those guys back will be very important, but I would say that T.J. took a step back in the right direction is what he did,” Kubiak said. “Omar could possibly be back this week, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The release of Prater leaves the Broncos’ roster at 52 players.
Kicker confidence. Kicker Brandon McManus hooked a 45-yard field-goal attempt in the waning seconds of the fourth quarter that could have won the game for the Broncos.
McManus, who was 12-of-12 in field-goal attempts through the Broncos’ first five games, has missed four of his past 12 attempts.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in Brandon,” Kubiak said. “I think he’s had a fine year. I know he didn’t hit that ball well, but he comes right back and makes a big kick. He’s going to have to make some more. That’s part of his job — going to have to kick in some pressure situations.”
Face-mask clarification. Defensive end Malik Jackson was called for a face-mask penalty on Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron in the third quarter of Monday’s game — after ESPN aired a replay of Jackson grabbing the facemask.
“Yeah, that was interesting. I can’t speak for the league,” Kubiak said. “I don’t know. I know it happened very late. There was a face mask on the play. There is no doubt about that, but yet there was no flag, and you’re almost to the next play and here it comes. There are some things going on differently in how games are being viewed and people that are involved in situations and those type of things. That just looks like one of those situations that took place. (Referee) Ed (Hochuli) was very honest with me and said that he got late information, but he thinks it was right. It’s kind of hard to argue with that. I know they’re trying to do the best job they can.”
Eye on …The San Diego Chargers
Chargers at Broncos, 2:25 p.m., Sunday, KCNC-4
For the record: The Chargers, who are coming off a 23-20 road loss to the Raiders, are 4-11.
Who’s hot: Philip Rivers has always been a tough soldier. Despite a disappointing year, Rivers is second in the NFL with 4,564 passing yards, trailing only Tom Brady.
Who’s not: The Chargers’ rushing attack is dead last, averaging just 83.2 yards per game. First-round pick Melvin Gordon hasn’t been the back they expected him to be in his rookie year.
Key stat: The Chargers have lost eight of 11 games by eight points or fewer this season.
FYI: San Diego now projects to have the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft. A win over Denver could move them outside of the top 10. So there’s not much incentive to win from a front-office perspective.
Injury report: The Chargers placed safety Eric Weddle and tight end Ladarius Green on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
Quoteworthy: “Our players fought till the bitter end. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done.” — Chargers coach Mike McCoy, about the loss to the Raiders
Cameron Wolfe, The Denver Post
