Broncos report: WR Jackson optimistic

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 25, 2008 at 5:03 p.m.

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Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Broncos receiver Darrell Jackson said his sprained ankle has healed "tremendously," and he expects to fill in for the suspended Brandon Marshall in the opener against Oakland.

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The next time Broncos fans could see receiver Darrell Jackson is in the starting lineup for the regular-season opener in Oakland.

Glimpses of Jackson have been few and far between recently. He missed the second and third preseason games with a sprained ankle and has been told he'll sit in Friday's exhibition finale in Arizona.

Jackson said Monday he has healed "tremendously" and remains on track to replace the suspended Brandon Marshall on Sept. 8, opposite Eddie Royal.

"That's what they told us, but anything can change," he said.

Jackson, a free-agent pickup who played in San Francisco last season, added that while he would like to be in more of a rhythm, he had sufficient work this offseason and in camp before getting hurt in joint workouts with Dallas to get a proper feel for Denver's offense.

"My job is to get open and catch the ball and make blocks, things like that," he said. "I don't have to mesh with the offensive line or learn too many schemes. I run the routes that are called and block.

"And I know everything that's going on."

First cuts

The Broncos need to pare down the roster to 75 by this afternoon but got a head start by releasing receivers Samie Parker and Lorne Sam and defensive tackle Josh Mallard.

The team is expected to move rookie defensive tackle Carlton Powell to injured reserve today, leaving one more pending cut.

Parker was part of the Broncos' offseason free-agent crop but never gained traction in Denver's receiver battle, even with Marshall's upcoming suspension.

Marshall, Royal, Jackson, Keary Colbert, Brandon Stokley and even Cliff Russell were getting more snaps in recent weeks. The team further trimmed the receiver group by cutting Sam, an undrafted free agent out of Texas-El Paso.

Mallard joined the Broncos on Nov. 6 and played eight games, with 20 tackles and 31/2 sacks.

The emergence of Nic Clemons and Kenny Peterson as the top interior backups made him expendable.

Back on the field

Linebacker Boss Bailey was a limited participant in practice, more than two weeks after suffering a severe high ankle sprain.

But Bailey admitted if there was a game today, he still couldn't play.

"It's coming along OK. It's getting to the frustrating part where you run and do a lot of work, and the next day, you're sore as (heck)," he said. "It's one of those things I have to push through right now."

Bailey said if he's able to work through the pain, there's still a chance he can start the season opener.

At that point, conditioning might be the biggest issue.

"I'm sure that's another battle I'll face, once I get to playing in games," he said. "But I have to be a vet about it and know how to get back in shape as quick as possible."

Big shot

Montrae Holland is in a position he never imagined a few months back - ready for heavy action in the preseason finale.

Holland's two-week battle to lose weight disrupted his camp start and cost him his starting job at right guard. The game against the Cardinals will be an opportunity to show the coaching staff how far he has come back physically and mentally.

"Anytime you suit up game time, you have to perform, period," Holland said. "But, yeah, it's going to be big for me."

Holland, who says his timing and technique are "coming back," added motivation hasn't been a problem despite his standing with the second unit. His recent goals have included trying to fit in and get better.

Holland also has been around long enough to know that his status can quickly change.

"This game's unpredictable. All I can do is prepare - like I am - to be a starter," he said.

Injury report

* Defensive end Elvis Dumervil (broken right little finger) is hoping he can play in the opener against the Raiders but remains unsure because he never has had a similar injury.

"There's pain now. It hurts," said Dumervil, sporting a heavy cast after surgery Saturday. "But I'll give it a week and see how it heals and go from there."

* Safety Marquand Manuel, who had surgery Saturday to repair a broken right thumb, appeared more optimistic.

He initially was nervous about the injury, but now he feels comfortable he'll be able to play against the Raiders.

"A broken bone is six weeks, regardless of what I can or can't do. It's a matter of what kind of cast I'll be in," he said.

* Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban (back) also missed practice, as did center Tom Nalen (left knee surgery).

Etc.

* The punter battle will last until next weekend. Special-teams coach Scott O'Brien said Sam Paulescu and Brett Kern will play Friday against the Cardinals, with Paulescu getting first crack. Kern is averaging 51.4 yards on five attempts; Paulescu 50.3 on three tries.

* Right guard Chris Kuper (death in the family) missed Monday's workout and will be absent again today.

• August 25, 2008

  5:26 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  I wish we could have seen more of Jackson, early on. Apparently the coaching staff have enough confidence in him, so we'll just have to trust their judgement. It's so important to come out of the gate, strong and make a statement. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!

• August 25, 2008

  10:23 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncoflow writes:

  Dynamicdave--

  Jackson has been hurt, that's why......

• August 25, 2008

  11:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  uncanny writes:

  Don't worry. With a (former) SEC QB and WR working together, the passing game will be fine. Cutler and Jackson will team up to surprise a lot of DB's.

• August 26, 2008

  9:02 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  After the first two games I don't see him as anything better than a #4 WR. That's if Royal keeps his game up in the regular season and that shouldn't be a problem with Marshall on the field getting double coverages.

• August 26, 2008

  9:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  More important Elvis won't be there for a little bit. Which is a huge deal since he is the only D-lineman that seems to have a nose for the QB

• August 26, 2008

  9:10 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BlueSky writes:

  Don't forget we only lose "half of Brandon" and still have the other half in Stokley. Look for him to meet Cutler at the other end for a handful.

• August 26, 2008

  12:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Spider writes:

  Coming back from injury Jackson has to show now with Marshall not playing the first 2 games that he still has it or he may be the one getting cut when Brandon returns.

• August 26, 2008

  12:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Broncoflow, I knew he was hurt. I just didn't get to see much of him, so I don't know how good he is in our offense? Apparently the coaching staff believes he'll do. Royal, though, passed him right on by as a rookie. When Brandon is back, Jackson will sit. We have a lot of talent in our WR's. We have a QB who is looking very focused. We'll be tough to stop.

• August 26, 2008

  1:35 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bchiper writes:

  Jackson will do fine. His performance early in camp showed he got the offense and how to work in it. Even after Marshall is back he'll get a lot of reps. Now with Elvis possibly being out that is a much bigger issue. Who is going to step up and figure out how to get to the QB. The way the Dline has performed so far, I think the Buffs could protect their QB against it. Not saying much for them as pros is it.

• August 26, 2008

  2:17 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  bchiper, Elvis seems to think he'll be ready for the opener. It's just a matter of how the surgery goes on his hand and how much pain is still there. We have other DE's and I hate to use the old saying, but, they will just have to step it up till Elvis is in the house. Peterson has a good shot at it. We'll see soon enough, at the season opener.

• August 26, 2008

  4:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bchiper writes:

  Dynamicdave, I do agree we have other DE's, but as you said they need to step up. I think Crowder has great potential and Ekuban needs to play like he has shown in the past. The DT's look solid and with Boss back in the mix so do the LB's. This defense has the talent to do some great things. Let's go Broncos!

• August 26, 2008

  5:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bigbadthor writes:

  Here's a suggestion, since it looks like Nalen will be out, move Hamilton over to C, put Kuper at LG and bring back Holland at RG, that gives us some great youth on the line and more size.

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