Cutler's chief goal is to play

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

ENGLEWOOD — The votes are in.

Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler wants to play Sunday at Kansas City. Chiefs coach Herman Edwards expects him to play.

And Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said after practice Wednesday if Cutler didn't suffer "a setback, he should be ready to go."

Cutler suffered what he and the team have called a severe bruise to his lower left leg during the first half of the Broncos' 44-7 loss Sunday against the Lions in Detroit. Cutler wore a pad on the outside of his leg during practice but took most of the work with the first-team offense, Shanahan said.

"I'm not sure how much it hurt, but he was productive out there and took his normal reps, maybe a little less," Shanahan said. "But it was a good sign."

Cutler underwent a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday morning after taking a helmet to the leg when he was sacked early in the second quarter. The Broncos said the MRI confirmed there was no fracture, which was what X-rays taken at Ford Field had shown.

Asked how much time he had spent in the trainer's room Monday and Tuesday to try to get himself on the field at Arrowhead Stadium, Cutler said, "A lot; been in there a lot. We got beat up a little bit with injuries, so I had a few friends in there. Going well so far, pretty happy with where I'm at."

In his career as a four-year starter at Vanderbilt, Cutler was one of the most durable quarterbacks in the country. He didn't miss a start for the Commodores — he made 45 in all — and said a sprained ankle was the most significant injury he suffered there.

That would make this injury the worst he has had as a player.

"I take a lot (of pride) in it," Cutler said. "Especially being a quarterback, being one of the leaders on this team, being out there week in, week out. Sure, injuries happen, but I want to be out there. . . . I'm going to be out there if I can."

On Wednesday, Edwards said the Chiefs were proceeding with their defensive game plan as if Cutler would play.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, we're preparing for him, no doubt," Edwards said. "We anticipate Cutler playing."

If Cutler were to have some difficulty with the leg later in the week after practicing, Patrick Ramsey would make the start. Ramsey was 29-of-46 for 262 yards in relief of Cutler against the Lions with one touchdown pass and one interception.

Because it was Ramsey's most significant playing time in a game since 2004, the Chiefs had prepared some video to look at from Ramsey's time with the Washington Redskins.

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2359