NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Broncos’ tall task Sunday will be to stop the Tennessee Titans surging offense behind quarterback Marcus Mariota and running back DeMarco Murray. They will need to do it without veteran linebacker Brandon Marshall.
Denver declared Marshall inactive for an 11 a.m. kickoff against the Titans. Marshall’s inside linebacker role will be filled instead by Corey Nelson.
The Broncos on Sunday also ruled inactive: third-string quarterback Austin Davis, wide receiver Jordan Norwood, cornerback Lorenzo Doss, injured long-snapper Casey Kreiter, and offensive linemen Connor McGovern and Billy Turner.
Norwood’s drop to the undressed list comes after he was supplanted by rookie Kalif Raymond as punt returner last week at Jacksonville against the Jaguars. Raymond returned four punts for 40 yards and down a fifth catch.
The Broncos, too, have seven wide receivers on their roster, making it necessary to sit at least one. Norwood’s removal left room for the return of Bennie Fowler, who has been inactive recently. Marlon Brown, who was signed by the Broncos two weeks ago, was put on the injured reserve list Saturday.
Thomas Gafford will continue to handle long-snapping duties while Kreiter recovers from strained calf muscle.
The Broncos (8-4) hold the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, with the Titans (6-6) two games behind. After the Kansas City Chiefs (10-3) defeated the visiting Oakland Raiders (9-4) on Thursday, the Chiefs are now No. 2 in the AFC and the Raiders fifth.
If the Broncos can beat the Titans, they would remain behind the Raiders based on a head-to-head tie-breaker. But they could put some distance between them and No. 7 Miami (7-5).
