For the first time this season, Kyle Orton’s name filled out a spot on the injury report.
The quarterback participated in Wednesday’s practice in a limited capacity as he nursed the rib injury he suffered last Sunday in Arizona. Orton returned to finish that game and said he never doubted his ability come back and perform through the pain.
“They asked me, and I said I wanted to keep on going,” he said. “I was sore coming out of the game for sure. I just keep on getting the treatment throughout the week and (I’ll) be as healthy as I can.”
The Cardinals intercepted Orton three times in the contest, but the Broncos’ signal-caller did not attribute his play to the injury.
In each of the past two games, Orton has thrown for less than 200 yards and been held without a touchdown pass.
“You have to go out and play well,” Orton said. “I have to go out and play better than I have the last couple of weeks.”
Interim Head Coach Eric Studesville said in his Wednesday press conference that his coaching staff and his No. 1 quarterback are working as hard as they can to return the passing game to form.
Orton still ranks fourth in the league with 3,653 passing yards and boasts a touchdown to interception ratio higher than two-to-one. Studesville said Orton is “absolutely” penciled in to start at Oakland this weekend.
“A lot of our guys are banged up right now,” Studesville said. “It is Week 14 in the NFL, and guys that have been playing consistently have bumps and bruises. Kyle does have some bumps and bruises.”
Last year’s matchup against the Redskins on the road indicates that Orton would not force himself to play if he did not feel physically capable of delivering his top performance.
The quarterback took himself out of that game with a hobbled ankle, and missed his only start of the season the following week against the Chargers. Orton came off the bench in that game, entering the contest only when he was called on to relieve Chris Simms.
“I have come out of a game before,” Orton said. “I have hurt my ankle bad enough. I did it last year where I hurt my ankle bad enough I didn’t feel like I could play and be a help, so I didn’t play.”
If the coaches and the training staff do not deem Orton healthy enough to play on the road this weekend, it could mean more playing time for Tim Tebow, who has served as the backup quarterback for the majority of the season.
Tebow said live game action could speed up his learning curve.
“I think it’s a great learning opportunity to have real, live reps and to have that opportunity,” he said. “I think that would help, but either way, I think I’m getting experience just by watching and by practicing and going against a great defense every day.”
As a competitor, Tebow said he would love to play, but he has also expressed a desire to support the team in any role he’s given. The rookie knows he has plenty of time to develop into a professional-caliber player.
“I don’t know that it was this season that I had to prove to myself to be an NFL quarterback,” he said.
“That’s something that I think comes down deep and is something that is deep down inside of your heart and I know that whatever it takes, however long it takes, whatever determination and focus it takes, I’ll end up putting in that effort and determination and get the job done.”
INJURY REPORT
Orton (ribs) was limited in Wednesday practice, while Kevin Alexander (ankle), David Bruton (ribs), Brian Dawkins (knee), Brandon Lloyd (calf), Matt Prater (right groin), Demaryius Thomas (ankle) and Marcus Thomas (ankle) did not practice. Eric Decker (foot), Spencer Larsen (hamstring) and Darcel McBath (quadricep) fully participated in practice.
For the Raiders, DB Nnamdi Asomugha (ankle), WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (ankle), LB Rolando McLain (foot) and DT Richard Seymour (knee) did not practice. T Khalif Barnes (back), QB Kyle Boller (quadricep), S Hiram Eugene (ribs) and WR Nick Miller (ankle) were all limited in practice. S Tyvon Branch (shoulder), LB Travis Goethel (knee), CB Chris Johnson and TE Zach Miller fully participated in practice.
-Gabe Hiatt, DenverBroncos.com
Below are pictures from Wednesday’s practice:
Tags: Eric Studesville, Kyle Orton, Tim Tebow
Amen sndvl!!
I like Randy Mueller! He did a great job when he was with the Saints. Once he left here that’s when they started to go down again before they recent rise.
I agree with the Champ sentiment…I just can’t bring my self to say he should go however…but if he does..I fully understand, support his decision, and wish him the best. He deserves it. So does Dawk but Dawk doesnt have many options now adays at the age of 37.
Bay, Yea I remember us saying we hope hillis gets traded cuz atleast someone will utilize his skills. We were well aware of his talents even before most of the NFL was and while we wanted that talent to shine on our team, it was clear McD didnt like him, why we will never know. Cleveland however has a better run scheme than McDaniels so that has Help. Just like how Hillis tore it up under shanahan…
The only chance Dawk has a shot at a ring now is if the Eagles find it in their heart to bring him back just so he can finish his career there, no other team worthy of super bowl contention has any need for Dawkins anymore, that’s hard to say but it’s obvious his game has dropped ten fold this year.
I agree Bay, Dawk’s game has dropped off significantly. Even when healthy he is obviously slower mentally and physically. I thought McCarthy was having a decent game before he got injured…too bad.
Hey if Rick Smith (the Texans GM) needs a job,I wouldn’t be against it,at least he knows how to draft Defensive talent:Demeco Ryans,Brian Cushings,Mario Williams,Kareem Jackson,Amobi Okoye.All sound football players.Just me.
Still would rather have Dungy tho!
Gentlemen…prideful….Are you freaking kidding me,that”s funny.LMAO.
Sorry Baylin 31-3 raiders feeling mighty pessimistic
Got it, good pick.
Hey Baylin,
I vote to have you as the new GM.
Baylinorcrusher has my vote for GM!
Mario Williams was just placed on IR, so that would make it that much easier to start Tebow next week, how much more incentive does Stud need?
Woody also said that Gruden would be intrigued by the Cowboys,49ers,and Broncos,we need to get him in here and start talking to him NOW!!!
I agree……”Orton is Limited”.
Lets talk to Dungy, Cower and Chucky… in that order
Yeah, all season long we are mad as hell because we keep talking, talking, talking the talk and never walking the walk, but now the time has come to start talking, talking, talking! LOL.
Funny. But it`s the truth.
Ya, if Jon Gruden is intrigued then lets get the ball rolling. Will have to wait until the regular season is over. But first we need to find out who our GM is. I personally want Charlie Casserly.
strandoftds,why do we have to wait till the season is over to talk to Chucky,he’s a NFL analyst,no rules there are they??
BFE orton limited as a qb- freaking hilariuos!
bay -raiders 38-17
I like Smith as GM too,because if we get him,theres a good chance we might get Kubiak and/or Dennison back on the staff at some position.
That’s if Houston cleans house!
I hear ya. I`m thinking out of repect to Studs, our Interim coach. Heck, let him finish the season. Jon isn`t going anywhere yet. He`ll come in for a interview I bet. Plus we`ve got to go through the reterik with at least bring in one black HC for that position. Rules are rules.
Yes, nice.
And yes BFE, you are right. If the season ended today, we would be pick #3 over all. I like it.
Okay, I found a new lucky quarter in the drain at the car wash. It says the Broncos will win in Oakland, Tebow will not play, and the spread will be 5-10 points with a total pts 40-50..
Broncos 28
Raiders 21
ILMSDB!!!
It`s snowing here in Colorado Springs. Two days ago it was beach weather.
OC, you need to wake up from your dream. Your in a daze bro.
Just don’t want to wait too long to find a GM and HC,cause there are a lot of teams looking for both,and they could beat us to the punch,just saying.
Yeah I like that #3 pick too,I still like Fairley or Dareas the 2 DTs.
Fine with me on both counts.
I`m curious to see who we get as GM and HC.
strandoftds,we got 12 inches of snow Sunday/Monday in Tennessee,last night we got freezing rain.Already been down in single digit temps 3 times.Now that’s some messed up weather for the south in December!
We all have our picks for GM and HC,but I’m sure we will find people that are capable of handling their jobs,whoever they may be.I won’t be too dissapointed if Smith(GM) and Gruden(HC) don’t get here,as long as we hire people with experience,and can get us back on track.
In my opinion they need to talk to everyone they are allowed to asap, but of course they need to hire the GM first but if it’s Xanders then go ahead and talk to Gruden, Cowher and anyone else who is free to talk now. Studs doesn’t have to know, but they should do the right thing and tell him now there isn’t a chance in hell he is going to get the job anyway. We need to move on, we can’t be setting ourselves back because of not wanting to hurt people’s feelings, I thing we have done this gentleman thing with everybody way too long, it’s a business, let’s treat it like one, nice guys finish last.
Dream? daze? I’m not quite sure what you’re saying buddy?
This whole Fall time hear in Colorado has felt like spring time. I`ve been in Shorts most of the last two months. Mild weather so far.
BFE, you are not far enough South, here in Austin it snows like once every five years and accumulates on the ground once every ten years like. No snow shovel in my garage, haha.
there is a reason why they refer to him as the INTERIM head coach….
You can’t tell me that he doesn’t expect the Broncos to interview and talk to other coaches…
I personally am starting to kind of resiging myself to not have a great accomplished GM here now:
Does the company Pat Bowlen and Joe Ellis kept Wednesday offer a hint at the Broncos’ future?
The NFL held one-day meetings in the Dallas area, and it’s hardly surprising that Broncos owner Bowlen and chief operating officer Ellis were there.
What may be significant is the third guy who tagged along: Brian Xanders, the Broncos’ general manager.
I would be ok with it if he somehow teams up with Elway like I said earlier.
WOW!!!!!! Orton looks like a Tard in that pic
OC, Just poken fun at your qaurter flipping. Cool actually. I wouldn`t pick the Broncos. just saying. I thought maybe he`s just living out a dream to pick us to win.
I’m just not sure of Xanders… He’s got the stink of McD all over him….
I dont know if keeping Xanders and Ellis and just switching coaches will do it for me?? I feel like those two guys were just as much at fault for letting the Broncos sink under McDaniels..
We cant just switch coaches, we need an entire culture change from the top down. johmo
Well if there`s no harm in knowing that Studs isn`t going to be HC next year, then bring Jon Gruden in and lets get this thing over with already.
My first choice is JON.
Ortard….haha, Nice one DO…
He looks like a little kid that didn’t get what he wanted for Christmas….
Oh, I just realized that he’s watching Tebow run drills… No wonder he’s got that constipated look on his face…haha
The argument there is that Bowlen and Ellis made the mistake to give all final personnel decision power to McD over Xanders, hence it is hard to fault the guy, I can see it, but I do agree that Xanders might still be too green behind the ears to handle the job, that’s why if he can share it with Elway is the only way I would be even ok with it.
haha, Strandoftds, I got soo bad at trying to guess the score that I resorted to flipping a quarter…haha
Yeah, OC’s total:
minus 5 points! One entry in the wall of shame and no top fives! Bummer, haha, not.
Unless of course what if they ARE trying to land a Dungy or Cower?!!!
Those two guys would demand to have full control of the football operations, and rightly so, in my opinion. Which in turn would make Xanders position viable again as a contract negoatior and not decision making tallent evaluator..
And what does Elway do then?