A pair of knee injuries have forced Brian Dawkins to miss a total of five games in his 15th NFL season.
That meant five Sundays of watching as the Broncos took the field without him. Adding to that frustration, his team lost all five of those games.
Dawkins, who missed all three games on the team’s recently completed road trip, hopes to return to the field on Sunday against Houston at INVESCO Field at Mile High. The veteran safety wants to help his team complete a strong finish to an otherwise disappointing season.
“Sitting back and watching my guys out there going through what they’re going through and not being in it with them, it is a tough, tough pill to swallow,” Dawkins said. “So, being out there with them again is a relief for me — a tremendous relief.”
Dawkins, who has been limited in practice both days this week, said he’s reassured by the fact that his injuries were routine by NFL standards — unfortunate plays that happen in a physical league every week. He first had his leg rolled up on in Baltimore in Week 5 before suffering a similar injury six games later against the Rams.
The eight-time Pro Bowler said he’s determined not to let a few minor setbacks slow down his decorated career. He said right now he plans to play both games to close this season and return next year, as well.
After spending nearly two full seasons in the same secondary, veteran Champ Bailey has no trouble believing his teammate will bounce back strong — starting against the Texans, who have the league’s No. 5 passing attack this week.
“Being that he’s had his little nicks here and there with his knees he didn’t play a full season this year, so you can’t really count this one,” Bailey said. “He’s even going to be more fresh next year.”
If anything, Dawkins said the tough season might have added fuel to his passion for the game.
For now, Dawkins is just happy to be back on the practice field. After a few weeks of rehab, he appreciates the chance to be healthy again coming down the stretch of the season.
“It’s been a process,” Dawkins said, “but finally, I’ll hopefully be able to get out there with these guys and do what I do.”
FRIEND AND FOE
Robert Ayers insists he doesn’t have much to add to the scouting report on Houston running back Arian Foster, the league’s leading rusher. The linebacker said the game tape on his former University of Tennessee teammate speaks for itself.
But that doesn’t mean the second-year Bronco isn’t fired up to welcome his friend to the Mile High City when the Texans visit INVESCO in Week 16.
“We’ve had a little rivalry since we got into the league,” Ayers said with a laugh. “We always go back and forth talking junk. I’m looking forward to playing against him and getting after him a little bit.”
In a Wednesday conference call, Foster immediately referenced the chance to go up against his old college teammate when complimenting the Broncos defense.
Ayers said he’s communicated with Foster more than usual this week, helping both players get more excited about the matchup. The 2009 first-round pick said a popular topic of conversation has been what might happen if Ayers has to corral the running back in space.
Ayers, who has come back strong in recent weeks after a foot injury, said he hopes Foster, who leads the league in rushing by 21 yards over Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew, does become the first undrafted player since Priest Holmes to win the league’s rushing title — just as long as he doesn’t have a good game this week.
Combined with the fact that New England’s Jerod Mayo — another of his former Volunteer teammates — leads the NFL in tackles, Ayers said he’s happy to see his friends excelling at the next level. But unlike many football fans, he’s not surprised that Tennessee’s second all-time leading rusher has made a major splash this season.
“In my opinion, he’s always been a great player, and he’s continued to keep getting better,” Ayers said. “This year he’s really shown what he can do.”
PRATER TO IR, BYERS JOINS ACTIVE ROSTER
The Broncos put Matt Prater (right groin) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, ending his season. The team elevated offensive lineman Jeff Byers from the practice squad to fill Prater’s roster spot.
Prater finishes his season with 76 points, connecting on 16-of-18 field goal attempts and 28-of-29 extra point tries. The fourth-year kicker has not played since Dec. 5 in Kansas City.
Byers, a rookie from USC who spent the preseason with Seattle, has been on the Broncos practice squad since joining the team on Sept. 6. The Fort Collins, Co., native was a three-year starter in college and earned third-team All-America honors last season.
On the practice field, Knowshon Moreno returned to action with limited participation. The second-year running back missed the final three quarters of Sunday’s loss in Oakland and Wednesday’s practice session with a rib injury.
“We are going to get him moving around a little it out there, get him some reps, and see if we can get him going at a good pace today,” Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville said.
Jamal Williams (non-injury) was the lone Bronco to miss Thursday’s practice. Dawkins, Kyle Orton (ribs), Demaryius Thomas (ankle), David Bruton (ribs) and Darcel McBath (quadricep) were all limited in practice for the second straight day, while Daniel Coats (finger) and Eddie Royal (lower back) fully participated in practice.
For the Texans, TE Garrett Graham (hamstring), WR Andre Johnson (ankle) and K Neil Rackers (right hamstring) did not practice for the second straight session. LB Brian Cushing (knee/ankle/foot) was limited Thursday after missing Wednesday’s practice. DE Mark Anderson (knee), T Duane Brown (shoulder), RB Arian Foster (hip) and QB Matt Schaub (right elbow) all fully participated in practice.
- Eric Detweiler, DenverBroncos.com
Below are some photos from Thursday’s practice:
Tags: Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jeff Byers, Matt Prater, Robert Ayers, Week 16
casino is definitely the thorn in my side now, haha, he has coming on strong winning 2 of the last 5 weeks, very deserving obviously but still a pain in my rear, I am so competitive it hurts, LOL.
I would like thoughts on this read from everyone….
http://www.milehighreport.com/2010/12/23/1889670/denver-broncos-2011-mock-draft-part-three-can-broncos-move-to-a-4-3#storyjump
Just another blogger like me with way too much time on his hands, LOL.
I won’t lie that I do like the starting Offensive and Defensive lineup in that link. Does get me a lil amped up if some that can happen.
Only thing is I don’t see Bannan, Williams, and Hunter’s name on the depth chart, not even as backups. I was shocked to see DeAngelo Williams name on there. That might be pushing it!!
Who won last week? I looked and couldn’t find it, but I was also reading through about 500 posts when I finally got back online.
The predictions that is.
You got 3rd place buddy, well done:
December 19, 2010 at 6:57 pm
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE SCORE PREDICTION CONTEST:
BRONCOS 23
RAIDERS 39
Pretty incredibly close results for this one, one blogger who has been awful close a lot of times this year and earns himself the title of king predictor for the week:
1st place, casinoroyal19, 21-37, only 4 points off!
2nd place, strandoftds, 20-37, only 5 points off, just awesome too.
Two way tie for third place with also incredibly close scores:
WieminCA, 24-34, 6 points off and
stevecan2, 23-45, 6 points off also.
5th place:
S.D.Broncos30, 17-38, 7 points off.
And making our Wall of Shame this week:
since1972, 27-17, not that it was an outrageous pick, but nobody picked us to win by that much!
It’s just so darn hard to win with that many picks…
thanks.
And steve, you got 5 points overall, a 3rd and a 4th place, with two wins you could possibly tie for the lead…
Ooh, chance for a comeback… It is a shame I stayed off the boards so long. I know my first pick, i came off the ropes swinging, with coments like, you can take that to the bank and cash it etc…
I may be mistaken, but I think that check is still bouncing around somewhere.
I am lucky I am not minus 30 by now with my predictions.
I have to say that this weird scenario of needing to lose to get a good draft pick is doing my head in. I just cannot get into that mind-set even though I know it is better to have as good a draft position as possible.
It doesn’t seem right that teams can throw games, and have a major effect on who gets to the post-season, and get rewarded for it. The NFL need to change the rules to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Houston 44
Denver 21
For extra credit LoL, Foster 207 yds rushing with 4 TD’s…
It hurts to type those numbers and I really hope I am wrong, but I am imagining it will be ugly for us.
Crazyhorserider, you got one 5th place for one point, it’s a start…
Happy Christmas Bay.
I so admire your dedication to the Broncos’ cause and how you run the blogs without actually having your own blog on here.
That is one thing I think they need to look at because to actually have a fan able to initiate a blog would be brilliant, and of course my vote would go to you Bay.
What is your take on when we are likely to hear Mr. Bowlen’s decision on the future management structure and Head Coach hire? Surely it must be before the end of January.
Steve can thats not funny buddy. dont appreciate that. My team is playing arian foster in the fantasy playoffs…i dont like your projections lol. Im hoping The D shows up against the Run…the pass however…hope not…I have baoth owen daniels and andre johnson…altho Johnson is a game time decision.
Merry Christmas To you all Bronco`s Country!
Well, thanks a kazillion Crazy. Imagination is something I have always had plenty of and I love to keep things interesting and exciting so I try to come up with whatever can entertain us, specially when the team itself doesn’t, like this season, at least that way I still have things to look forward to other than getting the #2 pick, like trying to win the darn score prediction contest, haha.
As for when will we be hearing about the future structure of the organization, my guess is as soon as Elway is officially hired, which to me should take place the day following the last game on Jan. 3rd, and things will accelerate quickly after that, GM interviews by Bowlen and Elway, if one is needed in the new structure (Xanders could remain GM), and in turn Elway and new GM taking interviews for the HC job, and so forth. The reason I think it will be moving quickly as soon as the season is over is to get the best picks of the litter at every management position. It’s like the calm before the rapids, better put them life jackets on. And the reason there has been no moves made yet and we will wait until the 3rd to do so is not to step on any toes because I have a feeling Elway’s title will step on someone’s….
And back at you on the Merry Chritsmas Crazy.
Christmas, LOL.
Merry Christmas everyone! Bay and TRB thanks for addressing the hypothetical Kubial situation. Bay you voiced what I was afraid of – that there probably won’t be a highly qualified DC dying to come in as a DC. I was just hoping otherwise. When you take in consideration Pat Bowlen’s track record of hiring O minded coaches I’m just leaning toward the idea that we won’t have a D minded guy come in. TRB you make a valid point. If we got a guy who could establish the running game again it could be tremendous, and Kubiak probably would be far from our possible outcome. I just can’t wait for January 3rd! I agree (hope?) that Elway’s new position will be stepping on someone’s toes.
Melo, I found the link very interesting. Of course Bowers or Fairley is a no brainer. The TE is definitely a position we’ll need to address but I’m not sure the organization will want to go offesnse that early in the draft, certainly most of the fans wouldn’t haha. And then we have to assume that we would make the move to 4-3, and while I do think that is a good idea considering our current squad there’s just no way to know if that’s going to be the case until we know who our HC is. I love talking about this stuff. Very nice distraction from our current W/L. Add in Tebow and there’s just a lot to be excited about! Again, Merry Christmas Broncos fans!
Here we go:
Broncos- 33
Texans- 21
Champ owns Andre (5 catches 60 yrds ONLY)!!
Tebow(30 rushing yards) 1 rushing TD, 2 passing TDs
LOL, too much???
I like Tebow, I hate Ellis and Xanders–they must GO!
Most of the defense must GO!
The offense needs a new line! Someone who actually can block for a running game.
Hire Elway as COO and have him find a new GM and coach!
the only issue i keep hearing about Elway is he has a GREAT life right now. Some of the positions they may want him to have would mean he would have to be a working grunt again.
Is he willing to give up his lifestyle to do this? Some say no. He mean be more in an advisory role. We shall see.
texans 38
Denver 30