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Broncos report: Torain might be done for season

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 6, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.

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Ryan Torain's season that almost just started may already be over.

Torain, the de facto Denver Broncos starting running back given a slew of injuries in the backfield, looked to be in rhythm and was flashing his preseason form before leaving in the second quarter with a left knee injury.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was told by head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulous that it "didn't look good." But it may be an anterior cruciate ligament injury, pending a magnetic resonance imaging exam Friday. That would end Torain's season.

Torain wouldn't let on or didn't know his diagnosis after the game. But the rookie, who missed three months with a dislocated elbow after Shanahan compared his skills to a young Terrell Davis, laughed when asked if he felt snakebitten.

"I've just got to keep my spirits up. It's part of the game. I'll be working hard to get back out there," he said.

Torain just before he was hurt had popped off runs of 7, 7 and 9 yards. One play later, he was tackled and landed almost in a sitting position on his knees and was bent back awkwardly following another 6-yard gain.

Torain finished with 12 carries for 68 yards. That's the highest total by a Denver back since Oct. 20.

The Broncos played the entire second half with fullback Peyton Hillis as a single setback. Denver also used Selvin Young early after he sat out three straight weeks with a groin strain. But Young re-injured the groin on a sweep in the second quarter and didn't return.

Hillis may be the long-term answer. Denver may have no choice, with Michael Pittman, Andre Hall and Anthony Alridge all on injured reserve and Young ailing.

"I felt like I picked up the pass protections pretty well and I ran the ball OK," Hillis said. "I could have done a little better but I'm rusty. I haven't done it in a long time. And I can only get better from here on out."

Hillis also was a primary blocking back at Arkansas but did play some tailback.

Battered linebackers

A left knee sprain suffered by middle linebacker Nate Webster on the Browns second offensive series ended his night and meant Denver would be playing with an all-reserve linebacker corps.

Webster may have suffered a medial collateral injury similar to the one suffered by D.J. Williams that will sideline Williams four weeks.

"Man, I can't explain it," Webster said. "We've got an injury bug going like I've never seen. All three linebackers."

Niko Koutouvides, playing on defense for the first time this season, replaced Webster. Jamie Winborn already was subbing for Boss Bailey (out for year, knee) on the strong side. And rookie Wesley Woodyard filled in for Williams.

Koutouvides rustiness showed on the Browns first offensive series of the second half. Cleveland direct-snapped to running back Joshua Cribbs, who left Koutouvides standing in his tracks with a well-timed shove that knocked the linebacker off balance and in over pursuit.

"I didn't play my best game," said Koutouvides, who was credited with one assist. "I missed a big tackle on Cribbs that I'm not proud of but I just tried to play assignment sharp and make sure I was doing my job. Things were moving faster than normal because I haven't gotten a defensive rep since preseason. So that was the biggest acclimation. But once you start getting your feet wet, it gets a little better. But I was thinking a lot more than just playing because of not taking many reps during the week and just with the checks and calls, I wanted to make sure I was right on those."

No field goal

The Broncos were involved in a head-scratching moment before the half, trailing 20-10.

Strong-legged kicker Matt Prater was waiting in the wings. A possible 62-yard field goal attempt was possible. The clock was running under 10 seconds. Denver lacked a timeout.

So, with all that . . . quarterback Jay Cutler inexplicably took off over right end and allowed the clock expired.

"We went a little wide, couldn't communicate to get under the center because (the headset) went off," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "We wanted to get a couple yards so we could kick a field goal with two or three seconds left. We didn't want to kick it with 12 seconds left, then you miss it and they could kick a field goal, get a big play.

"So obviously it didn't turn out the way we wanted."

Bly comes through

The Broncos used cornerback Dre Bly as a shadow on Browns top receiver Braylon Edwards all over the field.

Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn went heavy to his tight ends in the first half Â? Kellen Winslow and Steve Heiden combined for eight catches, 68 yards and both Browns TD. But Edwards didn't have a catch.

And, after some criticism of the soft cushion afforded receivers by Denver cornerbacks, both Bly and Paymah were aligned two yards off the line of scrimmage, though didn't generally press Edwards and Co. off their initial release.

Edwards caught a slant on the Browns first offensive snap of the third quarter with Bly giving him an initial jam. But later in that series, Bly made a diving deflection with his right hand on a deep crossing route to Edwards.

It was Edwards only catch for 15 yards.

"I've done it before, I've matched up on guys in Detroit and I can do it, it's no problem for me," Bly said. "That's the kind of challenge I want. We had a lot of new guys out there, guys who haven't played a lot and I wanted to be somebody we could rely on.''

Rallying back

The Broncos ran the ball for 123 yards on 28 carries one week after having the second-lowest total in franchise history.

"That hit the whole O-line hard," left tackle Ryan Clady said. "Everybody was like, 'Man, why can't you guys run the ball.' And it was like, 'I don't know.' But we came out and without a lot of time to get ready for the game played hard and stayed on our blocks. That's what we needed to do. Rico (Rick Dennison) told us that all week."

Big hit

Tight end Nate Jackson took perhaps the biggest hit of the night on his attempted leaping grab in the fourth quarter.

On a second-and-10 Cutler tried to rifle a pass down the middle that was a little high. As Jackson leaped, with his arms outstretched Browns linebacker Willie McGinest plowed into his head/shoulder area, knocking the ball free.

"I got hit pretty hard," Jackson said. "I saw this orange flash, very brief and I heard the crowd scream and I figured it was me they were screaming at. I had the ball in my hands, but I got hit hard, it's part of the game."

Jackson stayed down on the field briefly before eventually getting up and walking off under his own power.

Big call

If Mike Shanahan would have had his way he would have called a timeout just before the Broncos ran a crucial fourth-and-1 play with 3:58 remaining in the game because he didn't like how the Browns defense was aligned.

Instead, the Broncos couldn't because they had just called a timeout at the end of the previous play and couldn't call another one. So instead running back Peyton Hillis plowed his way through tackles for two yards and a first down.

The Broncos scored seven plays later for the winning touchdown.

"I would have called a timeout, but it was a great second effort where he got the yards, but we would have called a timeout to get them in a better play," Shanahan said. "He shouldn't have got the yard, but with his size and power he was able to persevere and get the first down."

"I had to get that yard," Hillis said. "I'm glad it worked out."

Etc.

* Broncos linebacker Nate Webster left the game in the first quarter with what Shanahan called a second degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Usually players miss several weeks with that type of injury.

* Running back Selvin Young re-aggravated a groin injury and left the stadium using crutches and will be doubtful for the Broncos game in Atlanta next Sunday.

* Denver almost had two kickoff returns for TDs by Cribbs. But late tackles by Karl Paymah and Roderick Rogers prevented them.

* Tight end Tony Scheffler made his first appearance in nearly a month and while he was obviously still not full speed, his presence was felt Â? and right from the start. He finished with 4 catches for 92 yards, including a 39-yarder on the first offensive play.

He said it

"We're going to take this momentum and ride it the rest of the way through the season."

Louis Green, linebacker, on the Broncos 34-30 victory over the Browns Thursday night.

Numbers game

8 career pass attempts for Quinn before he started against the Broncos. Quinn was 3-of-8 in limited duty last season and had not played in the Broncos' first eight games this season.

Tip the scales

Heading into Thursday night's game, the Broncos were one of three AFC West teams who have been outscored this season.

Team (Record) Scored-Allowed, Diff.

Broncos* (4-4) 190-221, -31

San Diego (3-5) 224-199, +25

Oakland (2-6) 107-201, -94

Kansas City (1-7) 126-223, -97

Comments

  • November 6, 2008

    11:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bigg_Nuggets writes:

    According to NFL network Torain is done. He ran much stiffer than TD. Didn't have much wiggle. Maybe next year

  • November 7, 2008

    2:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gahoaglund writes:

    What backs are out there to sign?! We NEED a RB BADLY!

  • November 7, 2008

    2:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gahoaglund writes:

    Mike Bell?
    Tatum Bell?

  • November 7, 2008

    4:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    nmbronco1 writes:

    What a shame about Ryan Torain's injury - he looked good for a guy who had been out for so long. Hopefully he's not done for the season, but if he is, I wish him well for next year, as he did show he's got what it takes to be a good back in this league.

    I agree with the guy who wrote what about Mike Bell or Tatum Bell, as either would at least know the system and both had their good days as Bronco backs.

  • November 7, 2008

    5:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    blindermind writes:

    He kind of reminded me of Bobby Humphries, he ran a little upright. Hope this turns out better. Maybe after they check him out it wont be as bad as they thought. Oh yea, it is the Broncos...

  • November 7, 2008

    6:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    haha if they bring back tatum bell he might steal someone's luggage! Where's Travis Henry when you need him? oh... that's right...

    Hopefully they can find someone to sub. Hillis looked ok but what if he gets hurt too?

    Great finish last night guys! Horrible first half though.

  • November 7, 2008

    7:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RMThunder writes:

    My question is, what about the strength & conditioning coach? Can any of these injuries, that seem to have been piling up on the Broncos far too easy the last few years, be a lack of bodily preparation?

  • November 7, 2008

    8:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ShowMe writes:

    RMThunder is right. All these groin injuries? What is going on in the locker room (and showers)?

    Kudos to Stokley for thwarting a penalty on Marshall's touchdown. The game announcers missed it completely but I could see that Marshall pulled out something and was about to show off. That penalty could have changed the game.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TUBBYBEACH writes:

    Denver signed Cory Boyd to the practice squad early this week. He's a rookie from the University of South Carolina. The guy is pretty big and can run the ball. Mark my words Bronco nation, Cory Boyd will be the starting running back by the end of the year. This was a good practice squad addition to the roster that nobody knows about, and with the injuries, I hope they give Boyd an honest shot.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncofan_in_Boston writes:

    Good point on the Bells. I think they are both out there and they know the system. We need bodies.

    I feel bad for Torrain, but some guys just can't stay on the field. You can make all the excuses and say its bad luck, but the dude has been consistently injured through his college career and now 2 serious injuries in one pro season.

    As for the rest of the injuries, you start to wonder about the strength and conditioning. Supposedly they had great participation in the offseason conditioning program, so the guys are supposed to be in great shape. Again, bad luck? I mean, jeez, we lose multiple guys per game.

    I don't know if its the players they are choosing or they need to change up their program. This is a team that doesn't practice in pads... you wonder how many injuries they'd have if they did.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SiquePupi writes:

    They addressed it little in the post game interview with Marshall. He pulled out a glove that was black & white and was supposed to be some sort of political statement about the Presidential Election. He acknowledged that Stokley prevented him from making a stupid mistake in such a close game.

  • November 7, 2008

    8:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoFaninLA writes:

    Someone needs to sit down B-Marsh and tell him that he has two choices: 1) catch the football and make $10M a year for the next decade, or 2) keep making dumb decision after dumb decision and plan on incarceration at some point.

    MVP last night: Peyton Hillis - for that yard on 4th down. Runner-up Stokley for intereceding before Marshall's attempted political statement.

    Where are all the Shanahan haters this morning? He won a game with Our Sister of Mary's defensive backfield.

  • November 7, 2008

    9:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Itchy writes:

    What's the name of the character Samuel L. Jackson played in Unbreakable? He's the guy who couldn't walk down a flight of stairs without breaking bones. That character's name should be Ryan Torain's nickname from now on.

  • November 7, 2008

    9:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jpsparks writes:

    Tatum is too busy selling cell phones at Aurora Mall...hard to leave that job behind for weekly smackdowns by LBs...

  • November 7, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TIMMAH writes:

    Well maybe we can go ahead and get Travis Henry back. What's a little cocaine? Maybe it will help his strength and conditioning....

  • November 7, 2008

    10:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    STLBronco writes:

    Writing in from St. Louis, MO, home to the happless and embarrassing St. Louis Lambs! Watched the game last night as usual and cringed throughout the 1st Half. 2nd Half was better, unlike most Denver games this season, but still room for lots of improvement! I'm still shocked that Shanny has not been able to restock his stable of RB's. Where are all the ones that are not hurt? There are RB's all over the league who have been cut or released, so why have we not scraped up a few of them? Even the Lambs picked up a back or two this week, granted, it's the Lambs and just about any bum can play for them, but seriously, what can be done? As for Marshall and what he had in his pants last night... would somebody just drive over to Dove Valley and slap the spit out of this fool! He needs to focus on actually catching balls and running AFTER the catch instead of his Obama victory celebrations and his political BS. NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK BRANDON! Just grow up and play ball for god's sake. If he were having the season he had last year, I might cut him some slack, but he is not! This type of crap he tried to pull last night really wears on Shanny too. Lastly, what is the word on the defense. They finally came up with some big plays last night, but for most of this season, they looked almost as bad as they did last season. What are folks in Mile High saying about the D Coach. Can't Shanny find anybody that can structure a decent defense??? GO BRONCOS!

  • November 7, 2008

    10:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    Unbelieveable, all the injuries on both sides of the ball just keep getting worse. Our Defense will just have to continue to work hard and hope the offense keeps scoreing. We have the answer at running back and just need to get him a back-up. Peyton should start and we will be fine. You don't need a shifty/speedy guy to be successfull.(although it does help) Remember John Riggins? Peyton can catch and is very TOUGH. Give him a chance and we can grind out some yards on the ground. GO BRONCOS!!!

  • November 7, 2008

    12:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    They activated P.J. Pope as a RB off the practice squad before the game. I watched him on "YouTube". He looked pretty good.

  • November 7, 2008

    1:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    When Torain was in there and got into a rythm it really showed how much a good running attack helps set up the play action plays. Is Tatum really selling phones at the Aurora Mall? I don't think Henry's cocaine will do anything for strength and conditioning but it probably does block out the pain when he got hit.

  • November 7, 2008

    2:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jpsparks writes:

    Check it out on the second floor. It's easier for him to be the chaser and not the chasee. "Yo, man, what kind of phone you got?"