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Broncos lose another safety
Ferguson out for year with knee injury
By Ryan Thorburn (Contact)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
ENGLEWOOD — For the second time in three games the Denver Broncos have lost a safety to a season-ending knee injury.
Starting strong safety Nick Ferguson was placed on the injured reserve list on Tuesday after sustaining a medial meniscus tear in his left knee during the first quarter of the Broncos' loss to San Diego on Sunday night.
Sam Brandon, a former starter who played in the defense's "big nickel" package, tore an anterior cruciate ligament in Pittsburgh on Nov. 5.
"It makes you sick because he's been a great player for us," Jake Plummer said after the team practiced without Ferguson on in preparation for Thursday night's game in Kansas City. "And he's a great leader, a solid guy you can count on to be in the right place at the right time. Somebody is going to have to step and play well."
Curome Cox will be expected to do just that. The cornerback turned safety had an interception and a fumble recovery after Ferguson (concussion) and Brandon had to leave the game against the Steelers.
"Usually every week I prepare to go in there. Now you know you have the opportunity to make plays," Cox said. "I'm just going to make the most of the opportunity."
Ferguson, who only missed one series against the Chargers after getting injured, wanted to play the rest of the season on the bad knee. Doctors recommended surgery, which he underwent on Tuesday, followed by a three-month recovery.
"He's hanging in there," Denver head coach Mike Shanahan said after speaking with Ferguson. "He was really hoping he could play with it but the doctors said there was no way. It was almost completely torn."
Hamza Abdullah was the only other safety on the active roster until the Broncos signed free agent Quentin Harris, cut by the New York Giants on Sept. 2, Tuesday afternoon.
Ferguson was also a key special teams contributor. Harris, who played in Arizona from 2002-05, led the Cardinals in special teams tackles twice.
Other injuries
The Broncos have a short week and a long injury report.
Four other starters — right guard Cooper Carlisle (back), wide receiver Rod Smith (ankle), defensive end Kenard Lang (knee) and cornerback Darrent Williams (shoulder) missed a portion of practice on Tuesday and are listed as questionable.
Running backs Tatum Bell (toe) and Mike Bell (thigh) completed practice but are also questionable. Same story for wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle).
Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (hamstring) is probable after missing the last two games.
Scheffler's struggles
The Broncos are expected to have a relatively simple game plan on offense due to the lack of preparation time between games this week. That could mean the return of rookie tight end Tony Scheffler, who has been benched the last two games after struggling in practice.
"We throw a lot of different things at these young guys with game plans. It's not easy sometimes, especially at that position," Shanahan said of Scheffler. "He's got a lot of potential. I still believe in him. He's going to be a great player here, he's just got to keep on working hard."
Thanksgiving experience
First-year Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards said this will be the first time in 27 seasons as an NFL coach and player that he will be part of a Thanksgiving Day game.
Shanahan and the Broncos beat Dallas on Thanksgiving last season.
Backfield bet
If Arizona State beats Arizona this Saturday, undrafted free agent Mike Bell will not have to take out a loan.
"I leave it up to a guy like him, a rookie, I let him tell me what we're going to bet," Plummer, an ex-Sun Devil, said. "I don't want ASU to step up and beat them and rob the guy."
The player who loses the wager will have to wear a temporary tattoo of the winner's college logo until it washes off.
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2006/nov/22/broncos-lose-anoxther-safety/
Ferguson out for year with knee injury
By Ryan Thorburn (Contact)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
ENGLEWOOD — For the second time in three games the Denver Broncos have lost a safety to a season-ending knee injury.
Starting strong safety Nick Ferguson was placed on the injured reserve list on Tuesday after sustaining a medial meniscus tear in his left knee during the first quarter of the Broncos' loss to San Diego on Sunday night.
Sam Brandon, a former starter who played in the defense's "big nickel" package, tore an anterior cruciate ligament in Pittsburgh on Nov. 5.
"It makes you sick because he's been a great player for us," Jake Plummer said after the team practiced without Ferguson on in preparation for Thursday night's game in Kansas City. "And he's a great leader, a solid guy you can count on to be in the right place at the right time. Somebody is going to have to step and play well."
Curome Cox will be expected to do just that. The cornerback turned safety had an interception and a fumble recovery after Ferguson (concussion) and Brandon had to leave the game against the Steelers.
"Usually every week I prepare to go in there. Now you know you have the opportunity to make plays," Cox said. "I'm just going to make the most of the opportunity."
Ferguson, who only missed one series against the Chargers after getting injured, wanted to play the rest of the season on the bad knee. Doctors recommended surgery, which he underwent on Tuesday, followed by a three-month recovery.
"He's hanging in there," Denver head coach Mike Shanahan said after speaking with Ferguson. "He was really hoping he could play with it but the doctors said there was no way. It was almost completely torn."
Hamza Abdullah was the only other safety on the active roster until the Broncos signed free agent Quentin Harris, cut by the New York Giants on Sept. 2, Tuesday afternoon.
Ferguson was also a key special teams contributor. Harris, who played in Arizona from 2002-05, led the Cardinals in special teams tackles twice.
Other injuries
The Broncos have a short week and a long injury report.
Four other starters — right guard Cooper Carlisle (back), wide receiver Rod Smith (ankle), defensive end Kenard Lang (knee) and cornerback Darrent Williams (shoulder) missed a portion of practice on Tuesday and are listed as questionable.
Running backs Tatum Bell (toe) and Mike Bell (thigh) completed practice but are also questionable. Same story for wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle).
Defensive end Patrick Chukwurah (hamstring) is probable after missing the last two games.
Scheffler's struggles
The Broncos are expected to have a relatively simple game plan on offense due to the lack of preparation time between games this week. That could mean the return of rookie tight end Tony Scheffler, who has been benched the last two games after struggling in practice.
"We throw a lot of different things at these young guys with game plans. It's not easy sometimes, especially at that position," Shanahan said of Scheffler. "He's got a lot of potential. I still believe in him. He's going to be a great player here, he's just got to keep on working hard."
Thanksgiving experience
First-year Kansas City head coach Herm Edwards said this will be the first time in 27 seasons as an NFL coach and player that he will be part of a Thanksgiving Day game.
Shanahan and the Broncos beat Dallas on Thanksgiving last season.
Backfield bet
If Arizona State beats Arizona this Saturday, undrafted free agent Mike Bell will not have to take out a loan.
"I leave it up to a guy like him, a rookie, I let him tell me what we're going to bet," Plummer, an ex-Sun Devil, said. "I don't want ASU to step up and beat them and rob the guy."
The player who loses the wager will have to wear a temporary tattoo of the winner's college logo until it washes off.
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2006/nov/22/broncos-lose-anoxther-safety/