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Broncos put Nalen on IR, ending his season

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 23, 2008 at 2:40 p.m.

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Broncos center Tom Nalen, left, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez

Broncos center Tom Nalen, left, was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

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Having tried to battle pain in his left knee for months, Broncos center Tom Nalen's season ended Tuesday.

The Broncos moved their most tenured player - the five-time Pro Bowl selection is in his 15th season - to injured reserve. The move officially means Nalen will not play for the remainder of the season.

As for whether Nalen plays again, any potential for recovery in his knee will likely be the biggest factor. After missing virtually all of training camp, Nalen had tried to return to practice on a limited basis in recent weeks, only to be kept out again last Thursday and Friday.

"You're always worried about it when a guy like Tom can't practice," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said earlier this week.

"He's such a tough guy, he's always going to give you everything he has, but I just thought it was in his best interest not to have him practice.

"You could see he wasn't himself. After being with a guy for as many years as I've been around Tom, I can tell when he's hurting. And I thought he was hurting."

In recent weeks, teammates and team officials have privately described the condition of Nalen's knee as "bone-on-bone," which leads to chronic pain because the cartilage in the knee is either damaged or been removed through the years.

Nalen underwent surgery to deal with torn cartilage in the knee in June and then had another arthroscopic surgery in August to remove what the team termed "loose bodies." Nalen also had surgery on the knee in 2002 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

In September 1995, he underwent surgery on the knee to repair a torn meniscus. The meniscus is one of two cartilage in a knee.

Nalen, a seventh-round draft pick by the Broncos in 1994, missed 11 games last season with a torn biceps.

Nalen said through training camp and the first three weeks of the season he didn't want to talk about his injury. He did not return a call Tuesday.

He has started at least 15 games in 11 of his seasons with the team, missing nine in '02 with the knee injury, the 11 last season and one game in '95 after that surgery.

In similar situations where a player is facing a long-term decision because of an injury, Shanahan has routinely told the player to take his time before deciding on trying to return.

To fill Nalen's spot on the roster, the Broncos re-signed guard Dylan Gandy for the second time this month. Gandy was cut after training camp, then re-signed when the team dealt cornerback Domonique Foxworth to Atlanta and then released when wide receiver Brandon Marshall returned from his one-game suspension.

WORKOUTS: Former Tampa Bay starting quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was one of six players the Broncos brought into their Dove Valley complex for workouts Tuesday. Gradkowski started 11 games as a rookie for the Buccaneers in 2006.

Former University of Pittsburgh quarterback Tyler Palko also worked out, as did tight ends Adam Bergen and Braden Jones and wide receivers John Broussard and Matt Willis.

ETC.: NFL vice president of officiating Mike Pereira on Tuesday said, through a league spokesman, he would not comment on Saints coach Sean Payton's contention a neutral zone violation wasn't called on Broncos linebacker Jamie Winborn on a key third-and-1 stop in the waning minutes of Sunday's game. Martin Gramatica missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt on the next play and the Broncos held on for a 34-32 victory over New Orleans. Payton on Monday called it a "hard pill to swallow." . . . Safety Hamza Abdullah, who had lined up as a starter in the defense in the early part of training camp and had started eight games last season for Denver, was waived Tuesday. Safety Vernon Fox was signed to fill that roster spot. . . . Linebacker D.J. Williams has been nominated for the league's Defensive Player of the Week award. Fans can vote through Thursday at NFL.com. . . . Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said he's "leaning" toward starting veteran quarterback Damon Huard on Sunday. "I'll decide on that (today). Sleep on it a little bit more," Edwards said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments

  • September 23, 2008

    3:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Bradonkadoncs writes:

    Wow, what happened with Hamza??? He was a strong special teams player, and did a pretty good job last year. I am confused.

  • September 23, 2008

    3:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MrJim writes:

    me too brandon, me too....

  • September 23, 2008

    3:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    Who is Vernon Fox and what is his background? Hate to see this happen to Nalen....Hope he can make a comeback!

  • September 23, 2008

    3:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Willy writes:

    Take care Nalen. Hope you remain in Denver. You have been a great asset to the community.

  • September 23, 2008

    4:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Andy writes:

    Goodbye, Tom. You are the best center the team has ever had. You're always welcome in Denver.

  • September 23, 2008

    5:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Take care of yourself, Tom. You were a pillar in the middle. I'm glad we have Casey to fill the spot. You're Ring of Fame, Hall of Fame material, Tom.
    As far as Hamza, I would have gotten rid of Paymah, 1st. But, I guess that's why we don't make the big bucks.

  • September 23, 2008

    9:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    incognitoboy writes:

    wow, you guys are all but burying the greatest center this team has ever had, and doing it in and amongst other team news! puhLEASE give the man a little more respect than that and give him his OWN article!! relegate the other news to other threads, PLEASE.

    tom nalen! WOW....what can we say? not enough quality guys play their entire careers in one place anymore, and dang it, tommy, you've been the heart of the offensive line for so long now it just plain s***s to think you might be done. please keep fighting to get back, i know broncoland would be just tickled to see you in pads again. darn knees.....like mike said, take your time and make the decision that's best for YOU. you are loved and respected by all of us and we wish you were here forever, but mostly we just wish you the best!

    [[[[[[[[[incognitoboy]]]]]]]]]]]

  • September 24, 2008

    8:46 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    opinionatedcolo writes:

    The NFL takes a terrible toll on the body, especially on those in the trenches. Nalen has been a warrior and has played through pain for years. If he is able to return, he will be appreciated and if not, I hope he finds a good next part of his life, carrying with him the thanks of the fans.

  • September 24, 2008

    9:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    coachk writes:

    I think the Broncos could not wait for him to recover from a month of fasting for Ramadan. it takes a huge toll on you physcially to play football and you need to refuel your system with good food to produce at the level needed for the NFL.

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