At his Friday afternoon press conference, Head Coach Josh McDaniels said Spencer Larsen (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (neck/head) have been ruled out of Sunday’s Week 16 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Larsen and Royal’s absences, a host of other players will get some additional chances. McDaniels said Peyton Hillis will serve as the team’s primary fullback, while several other receivers could be called on to fill Royal’s void.
One of those individuals is rookie Kenny McKinley, who’s made an early dent in the kicking game. The South Carolina product has appeared in six games this season, with six kickoff returns for 136 yards and three punt returns for 37 yards.
McDaniels also said the first-year speedster will be ready if needed at wide receiver. While McKinley has yet to make a catch in 2009, he showed his potential with a 52-yard touchdown reception against the 49ers in the Aug. 14 preseason opener.
“He’ll be excited to play, I’m sure,” McDaniels said. “You’re careful not to overload somebody who’s never really played much in that situation for his first or second time to go in on offense. But he did pretty well for himself in the preseason. We know what he can do and we know what we want to try to protect if that’s the case.”
Another weapon that McDaniels said will have an opportunity to make an impact is Brandon Lloyd. While the seventh-year veteran has been inactive in 13 of the team’s 14 games, he also showed his potential in the preseason with six catches for 116 yards.
“We’ll see how it all unfolds,” McDaniels said.
With Royal out, the return game will also see some different faces contribute. Along with McKinley, fellow rookie Alphonso Smith might be the name called to fill Royal’s void. Smith has four punt returns for nine yards and one kickoff return for 18 yards
“Both are very capable,” McDaniels said. “We’ll see how it goes. There could be somebody else back there, too.”
INJURY UPDATE
Here are the statuses for seven Broncos listed on Friday’s Week 16 Injury Report. Both Larsen (hamstring) and Royal (neck/head) did not participate in Friday’s practice and are officially listed as out for Sunday’s contest in Philadelphia.
After not participating in Thursday’s practice, Ty Law (hamstring) was a limited participant on Friday. He is questionable for the game against the Eagles. David Bruton (illness), D.J. Williams (ankle), Correll Buckhalter (ankle) and Renaldo Hill (ankle) were all full participants and are listed as probable.
On the Philadelphia side, S Quintin Demps (ankle) was downgraded from a full participant on Thursday to a limited participant on Friday. He is questionable for Sunday’s game, as is QB Michael Vick (quadricep). G Nick Cole (knee), DE Trent Cole (hamstring), WR Kevin Curtis (knee), WR Jeremy Maclin (foot), DT Mike Patterson (wrist), RB Brian Westbrook (concussion) and WR Reggie Brown (shoulder) were all full participants on Friday and are listed as probable to play on Sunday.
Happy Holidays, Broncos Country.
– Chris Gentilviso, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, Kenny McKinley, Philadelphia Eagles, Spencer Larsen, Week 16
Awww Crap….Well…I had a feeling Royal will be out when I saw McD in a picture with McKinley in the last practice….Looks like the rookie will be handling return duties. Guess the offense will just have to make do with Marshall, Gaff, and Stokely….This is one hell of a sophmore slump….
ps; Merry Christmas to you and yours….
Wow. This is not exactly what I wanted for Hillis, to be put in for an injured Bronco, however maybe he can show McD what hes about and get more playing time.
Shanahan on Hillis link. Sorry I know it makes it more painful but I hope some how, some way MCD can see the video and at least just be open minded.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-coach-of-the-week/09000d5d80cf742f/Shanahan-on-Hillis
I live in LA and we have a ton of real fans out here. -For anyone in LA that bleed orange and blue and likes hot girls as a much better viewing option than commercials go to Capital City on Cahuenga…in the very back patio-
This is my take for better or worse:
Pre-Season Cuts: I liked LB Lee Robinson & Tim Crowder much better than the other MLB(practice squad #48) and Moss but it was a very, very solid off-season.
DEFENSE:
The Jack Williams/Tye Law cut killed us! I felt like Williams had a bad game against the Ravens but was perfect for are nickel back. It is amazing how one move can change the course of a entire town in the always close NFL. Enter Tye Law. It is not his fault that they threw him in with 1 day of prep against the Steelers but that cost us a big game that I think Williams would have stepped up for. Sucks! Jack had speed and was in the system learning the entire off-season from the best in the league but that is not what hurt us the most unfortunately. What killed us is that every time Law is in the game everyone knows we are in zone or that he will have help because of his skill set…which limits Nolan’s game plan big time. The only thing I wanted from Law was to remind everyone that the only way to beat the colts is to press everyone hard! Take the timing out of a timing offense. It happened but a full half to late and there goes 2 games-Colts & Steelers-. Luckly for us I think we finally found the answer in a un-drafted free agent that wears the number #25. Tim Carter looked really good against the Raiders and has the skill set that we need to disguise our Nickel,Dime and Dollar packages.
Elvis is the man in regards to the rush obviously but he has almost become lazy against the run/coverage. This limits are disguise again and it has started to be totally exploited.
If there is 1 thing MCD should have learned from spygate is that you do not ever want to show your cards even if you know you have better players. Lets just be honest don’t ever show your cards ever! The same plays on down and distance. Over and over…come on MCD?
I think he is a good coach, I like the old school attitude and countless other things he has done but I think the same tunnel vision that helped so much this off-season is now hurting us. I can go on and on but the point is the team that blocks better etc, etc will lose if the other team knows what we are going to do before we do it. Where is the play-action? Where is Hillis? What happen to the power run with a o-linemen as the FB? Why don’t we take a couple shots to open up both the under routes and the running game & where is the Wild Horses?
I like the attitude of the power running game and if you want to sprikle it in great but we are a ZONE blocking running team and the pure lack of creativity in that department is the biggest problem we need to fix.
With all that said I know we have what we need to not only get the job done but done well! This will be are coming out party this weekend and even if absolutely nothing that I just said is done I think we have the heart to beat anyone any day! I think the entire team whats to see the COLTS, STEELERS and RAVENS ASAP!
BRING IT ON & SOMEONE GET THAT VIDEO TO MCD PLEASE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
BRONCOS 28 EAGLES 6
Is anyone else having Dejavue from last year?? Same crap as last year. We have a running back that is not a power back. I like Moreno but he is no power back like Hillis. Just one on 3rd and goal I would like to see Hillis get the carry and punch it in. WE need to control time of possesion to even give us a chance against philly. Heres to hoping for a W, we need it after last weeks embarrasing lost. Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!
It looks like the Chargers have beaten the Titans. One less team to worry about. I am going to cheer for NE this weekend along with Bal, Texans and Ind. We still have a chance to make the playoffs. GO BRONCOS!!!
Broncofan83,
Not only is it Deja vu but we aren’t a power running team to begin with….we are just not equipped for it….Our oline is more athletic than big….we own in zone block…but McD is so stubborn and wants to make us NE west by all cost even tho we ain’t equipped for it. And yes Moreno is not power back…You would think if he was bent on being power, he would utilize our power backs…Hillis and Jordan especially on 3rd and 4th and short.
His plays are so basic and simple as well…now you know why the likes of Shannahan, Turner and Fisher are considered offensive Geniuses…Great play book…great play call capabilities…All our runs look the same and are all lame. The only reason we succeed sometimes is because of our RBs extra effort cuz this power stuff is not us….A future great coach yes…right now, not so much….still on his young ego stuff…..anyway, GO BRONCOS
I don’t expect to see Hillis on Sunday. Just because Joshy-boy says he’ll “serve as the team’s primary fullback,” doesn’t mean he’ll play him; Mac-boy doesn’t play fullbacks. LOL
Sadly, and as much as it pains me to say it, I see the same old thing happening again this Sunday. This time, however, I see our defense having a long day because the offense can’t carry their own weight. Unless Dumerville and Co. can step it up, McNabb & DeSean Jackson will have a field day. I see Brian Westbrook having a big day as well.
For our guys, Orton will have a carbon copy like last week, eating a bunch of turf, unless he gets rid of the ball sooner. I doubt the RBs will do much; Knowshow will be stopped on short yardage again, and we’ll be punting a lot.
Baylinor…….I’ll take the Eagles 28-6
BRONCOS….PLEASE PROVE ME WRONG!!!!!!!!!! ….THIS IS AGONY
…….and I’ll gladly take my place on the wall of shame if our beloved Broncos win
I thought u all r denver fans ,
Curtisblow420, just because some guys here don’t think our team can win every week does not make them not fans. These guys who speak their minds here about our team all year long are true fans, they just see trouble when it’s on the horizon, they are not cheerleaders, they are football fans and sometime know better, like they may have for the last 6 out of 8 games. You on the other end, come out of nowhere, can’t say I remember seeing your handle here before, which with your short kind of comments is not surprising, and say something very ignoramus. Why don’t you enlighten us instead with why you think the Broncos have a legitimate shot at beating the Eagles, and not just the any given Sunday variety, please.
57 T-Bird, you did pick a loss with the largest spread so far, I am definitely reserving a spot for you on the wall of shame, LOL.
I’ll go out on a limb on a very tough game today and pick us to win 23-21. I hope the Broncos take a peak at these blogs on their traveling day today and see that even so I have outlined all week why I think there are so many reasons why we should lose, I still choose to believe in our guys and coaches to come out with a 110% effort Sunday. Anything less would not be acceptable due to the magnitude of the situation.
For a change, let’s get into the playoffs by our own doing, just like the Chargers have done the last few years. I mean those guys take control when they need to, gotta give credit where it’s due, they start the seaon 3-3, while we were 6-0, they are now 12-3 to our 8-6! They also now hold the all time NFL record with 18 wins in a row in the month of December, man, I don’t care how folks here hate Rivers, this team is and has been the bomb for quite some time now. If we could only take one page out of that and earn our way into the playoffs for a change. I hear guys like Broncsfan83, who are calculating who should lose this week to give us the best shot, I did the same thing, in fact I wrote it on a card so I can refer to all the scenarios as I’m watching the games tomorrow, but let’s get real, is it really the way we want to get in, hoping others lose, I think not, it is grand time that we learn to get in the playoffs the old fashion way again, by controlling our own destiny and win for gosh sake.
This back door way has got to stop, we have a great shot at going in through the front door these last 2 weeks, make us proud, hold your end of the bargain, pull out all the stops and come out victorious tomorrow, the whole nation would respect you for it, there is no bigger game to win, this is the time, right now. If we lose tomorrow and somehow end up getting in the playoffs by beating KC next Sunday, we would be the joke of the playoffs, we win today and next Sunday, we will be able to keep our heads high going into the playoffs, big difference.
Yeah, that’s how important this game is going to be to the psyche of our team, hence I couldn’t pick them for a loss this week, had to give them one more vote of confidence. Please reward me for it, LOL.
Best thing about McD press conference yesterday is he said: There will be no bullets left in the chamber.
So, what we’ll see is what we’ve got, no more thinking McD must have other things hidden for the playoffs type of comments. We will know where we stand, where we are, no holding back, no excuses. I’m excited, it could be the best game we’ve seen all year, if we have lots of bullets that is.
Many things say we should win this game….many things also said we should lose the colts game (and we did) but the fact remains there is no reason we couldnt have beaten them….If we dont make playoffs this year we dont deserve it…all I can say is, 6-0. Im sorry if your start 6-0 and cant even make the wild card….that is pathetic…and according to the NFL….if we don’t make it to the playoffs…we will be the first 6-0 team to not make playoffs in the history of the NFL. Just like last year we were the first team to surrender a 3 game lead in the division with 3 games left and not make the playoffs….another sad NFL record set.
we shouldnt win this game*
my point being…we have 6-0 talent on our team….we should be able to win any game no matter what the records say now and if we can’t, we jus tpack it in
Come on Broncos… when everyone expects us to lose, we win. When we’re expected to win, we lose. That being said… IT’S TIME TO START WINNING! LET’S WIN THE NEXT 6 in a ROW!
baylinorcrush as to my comments about who needs to lose for us to get in. I would love to see us win the next two and earn our way in. The back door approach sucks but it might just happen that way. I want us to win I know we have the capability to. It seems like when our Defense gets rolling Nolan changes it up and we lose. I think we need to go back to the pass rush and shake up McNab. I hope we win my prediction is 28-24. Broncos win of course.
We match up very well against the Eagles. Yes it seems like such a long time ago when Rivers was eating dirt every time he touched the ball and we where absolutely unstoppable but we match up well against the top passing offense in this league. (Chargers, NE, Cowboys, Bengals.etc) I believe the key to matching up well against the pass in your Nickel Defense. Well I did a little research and Jack Williams was injured when we cut him and he was put on IR with the Lions almost as soon as he arrived. (I don’t no why RB Ryan Torrain or Jack Williams was not put on the Broncos IR?)
Anyway with Jack in there we could do more man to man coverage with his 4.3 speed which means we could send more pass rushers and more importantly we could disguise who was coming. The proof is in the puddling- First 8 weeks we were the #1 Defense in the league!-
WE CAN FINALLY GO BACK TO OUR OLD NICKEL PACKAGE!
#25 Tony Carter is a rookie cornerback from Florida State University who joined the Broncos as a college free agent on April 27, 2009… Started all 50 career games he played at FSU and totaled 139 tackles (104 solo), nine interceptions (173 yds.) and 26 passes defensed… Scored touchdowns on three interception returns and one fumble recovery return for the Seminoles… Added nine career punt returns for 132 yards (14.7 avg.) with one touchdown… Started 33 consecutive games to end his collegiate career… Became the first player in Florida State history to return a blocked extra point and a blocked field goal for scores in the same game when he accomplished the feat as a sophomore against Clemson (9/16/06)… Started all 13 games for FSU as a senior in 2008, earning second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors… Posted career highs in tackles (45) and interceptions (4) as a junior in 2007
I stand by what I have said this entire time. THIS WILL BE OUR BEST GAME!
BRONCOS 28 EAGLES 6
GO BRONCOS!
atwaters the man
Jack Williams got hurt as a Lion…not before he left….Cuz i remember adam sheffter saying “the league is funny, if the broncos never drop jack williams, maybe he never breaks his leg in detroit and go on IR”
Law is good…but we need young legs and skills our there and Williams gave us that…sure he got beat sometimes but even champ and goodman get beat once in a while. and Phonzy is playing like such a bust…and he was essentially a first round draft pick…..I hated that move so badly…trading a first rounder for a second rounder (makes no sense in my book) anyway, heres hoping Phonzy becomes the first rounder McD thought he could be
Hey Coach McD,
His name is Peyton Hillis. You are getting paid how much money to be the coach of this team?? Play Peyton Hillis!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for that video, atwater’s da man! It’s worth the refresher on just how awesome Hillis can be. I’m thinking now, I won’t be surprised if Washington, if things go on both teams as they appear to be, tries to acquire Peyton next year….