Rice’s shoulder still is at issue

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 23, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD — Broncos coach Mike Shanahan wants defensive end Simeon Rice on the field, not on the sideline.

But Shanahan said Rice still must show in practice this week his surgically repaired left shoulder is ready for prime time Monday night against the Green Bay Packers at Invesco Field at Mile High.

"I think Simeon has made some strides," Shanahan said Monday. "Simeon really believes in himself, which is good, but what I do is take a look at practice and make decisions, based on practice, if a guy is ready to play.

"Last week, he had a better week than he had the week before, so I’m going to judge him this week, and if he practices at the level I hope he does, he’ll probably dress for the game.

"But it’s strictly a physical issue, (the) strength of his shoulder."

Rice, who has said he regretted signing in Denver, was a game- day inactive for the second consecutive week Sunday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rice, who underwent surgery last season, has disputed the team’s assessment his shoulder isn’t healthy, and he met with Shanahan about it last week.

"When we feel like it’s there, from a coaching standpoint, we’d love to have him ready to go because we know what he’s done in the past and, hopefully, he can get it done for us in the future," Shanahan said.

"I just know, looking at film, if a guy can help us win."

Rice played in only eight games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season because of the shoulder, but the Broncos felt good enough about the player’s condition to sign him to a one-year, $3 million deal that is guaranteed.

He has six tackles, one batted-down pass and no sacks.

Time change?

With Game 5 of the World Series scheduled to be played at Coors Field on the same night as the Broncos play the Green Bay Packers at Invesco Field at Mile High, the NFL said Monday it would move the Broncos starting time up a half-hour, to 6 p.m., if Game 5 is necessary.

Injury update

Running back Travis Henry has sore ribs, and coach Mike Shanahan said he will be evaluated through the week. Henry left Sunday’s game after the third quarter and did not return.

Asked if Henry had a fracture, Shanahan said, "Just sore."

Cornerback Dré Bly underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday morning for a slight shoulder separation.

Bly suffered the injury on a first-quarter interception and said he took a pain-killing injection at halftime to finish the game.

"Really proud of him because he played a complete game," Shanahan said. "He caught that interception — his shoulder popped out a little bit. He should be all right."

Tight end Tony Scheffler suffered a sprained left ankle in the Broncos’ final drive Sunday night.

X-rays were negative, so he is expected to practice at least some this week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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