Broncos’ WR Smith practices

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 24, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD — Sporting the latest in fall fashion Wednesday, Broncos wide receiver Rod Smith practiced for the first time this season.

"And it was just good to see him out there with a jersey instead of street clothes," left tackle Matt Lepsis said. "He's a leader on this team. It's always good to have one back; we've been losing so many guys who have been injured. Definitely a welcome sight."

Every time Smith caught a ball during warm-ups, the defensive backs cheered and then chanted, "We love Rod."

By league rules, Smith, who is on the Broncos' physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason hip surgery, can practice for up to three weeks before the Broncos must make a roster decision.

The Broncos could have started the three-week clock last week, coach Mike Shanahan said, but elected to give Smith one more week to rehabilitate the injury.

At the end of three weeks, after the Broncos' Nov. 11 game in Kansas City, the Broncos would be forced to either add Smith to the 53-man roster or place him on injured reserve, formally ending his season.

But the Broncos can elevate Smith to the 53-man roster at any point during the three weeks. Smith declined to talk about his return after working with practice-squad receiver Marquay McDaniel after the workout Wednesday, but he said he would discuss it today.

"I've been watching Rod here every day for the last six months, it wasn't a surprise," Shanahan said. "We've got a window where we can activate somebody. With a three-week time frame, we just thought this was the time to take a look at him. We've still got three weeks before we have to make a decision, so we'll see what he does over the next three weeks or the next couple days.

"Obviously, if he's ready to go earlier, we'd activate him. If not, we'd wait to the end of the three weeks depending on how he looks at practice."

Smith holds franchise records for catches (849), receiving yards (11,389), touchdown receptions (68) and total TDs (71). The 13th-year veteran also leads all undrafted players in virtually every receiving category in NFL history.

He previously had only one season when he missed more than one game — 1996, when he missed six games because of a fractured collarbone.Tough time

With the wildfires raging in his hometown of San Diego, Broncos safety John Lynch has plenty of friends and family to think about these days as he pursues as much information as he can.

Lynch's parents and the parents of his wife, Linda, as well as other members of their families, were among the almost 1 million people displaced by the fires in recent days.

"I think my in-laws went back to their home (Tuesday); my parents still haven't gone back home," Lynch said.

"But people just didn't know what to do, when to go, when to go back, because the winds were jumping all over."

Reports estimate that more than 280,000 acres have been affected and evacuation orders were issued in almost every community in and around San Diego.

"My brother-in-law, the fire got right up to his property but they were able to save it," Lynch said. "Your thoughts are with everybody when they go through something like that."

'A mistake'

Coach Mike Shanahan said receiver Brandon Marshall's DUI arrest early Monday morning was a mistake he's hoping the 23-year-old won't make again.

"Young kids make mistakes and, hopefully, they learn from them," Shanahan said. " . . . He's a grown man and he understands the severity of something like that. He's a role model and, hopefully, presented with the same situation for the rest of his life, he'll use better judgment."

Marshall briefly addressed the arrest after practice.

"I know the seriousness of it. It was just a terrible mistake and I have my lawyer on it now and, hopefully, everything will get situated soon. I can talk more about it then."

Denver police arrested Marshall at 14th and Blake streets about 2 a.m. Monday, took him to a detox center, and he later was released. The arrest does fall under the league's personal conduct policy, so Marshall eventually could be facing at least some league punishment in addition to any sentence handed down by the courts, if convicted.

In March, Douglas County sheriff's deputies arrested Marshall, 23, at his Highlands Ranch apartment after an argument with his girlfriend, Jameelah L. Watley.

The 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, which includes Douglas County, dropped false imprisonment charges against Marshall in May after he completed anger management classes.

Marshall practiced with the Broncos on Wednesday and is expected to play Monday night against the Packers.

Numbers game

11-4 is Packers quarterback Brett Favre's career regular-season record as a starter against AFC West teams, including a 3-1 mark against the Broncos.

Injury report

• Running back Travis Henry, who suffered a rib injury in the win against Pittsburgh, did not practice and looked to be laboring just walking around the practice field.

Shanahan described Henry early in the day as "pretty sore."

• Cornerback Champ Bailey, who was held out of the game Sunday because of a left thigh injury, returned to practice and will play against Green Bay unless he suffers an unexpected setback.

• Tight end Tony Scheffler, who has a sprained ankle, said he was sore, but he also practiced.

• The Broncos also held defensive tackle Sam Adams out of practice per their usual game-week routine.

• The Packers, who are coming off a bye week, did not practice Wednesday so they will not issue a formal injury report until today.

No busy signal

The Broncos have the league's second-rated pass defense, surrendering 164.7 yards a game, but have faced far fewer pass attempts than anyone in the NFL. Only eight teams, including Denver, have faced fewer than 200 pass attempts this season.

Team Att. Yards

Denver 138 164.7

Miami 171 208.7

New Orleans 175 244.0

Oakland 184 204.2

Jacksonville 184 214.2

Indianapolis 185 162.2

Pittsburgh 192 174.8

San Francisco 196 201.2

He said it

"What separates Tiger Woods from the rest of the golfers? You've got to believe you're going to get it done."

Shanahan, on what has made Jason Elam able to kick three game-winning field goals this season.