Italianmobstr7
08-08-2008, 01:58 PM
After the Broncos' brief walkthrough this morning, coach Mike Shanahan said cornerback Champ Bailey and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson will be held out of the opening preseason game Saturday night at Houston against the Texans.
Bailey didn't practice most of the week because of a hamstring problem.
Robertson, acquired in the offseason from the New York Jets, has battled a chronic knee problem the past few seasons.
"We've been going two-a-day practices, he's getting his condition level, and I think it would be a mistake to play him at this time," Shanahan said of Robertson, who was listed as the starter at defensive tackle on the Broncos' first depth chart, issued on Monday.
"He's making some tremendous strides," Shanahan added. "I just don't want to throw him out there too quick. We'll see how he practices against Dallas next week and determine if he'll play in that game. For sure, it'll be against Green Bay."
The Cowboys will be in Denver next week for practice work with the Broncos at Dove Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, then for the Aug. 16 game at Invesco Field.
Shanahan also said that starting cornerback Drč Bly would be used only in the nickel package against the Texans. "He's bumped up a little bit," Shanahan said. "We feel like he can go in the nickel package and get some continuity in our 45 defense."
Although offensive tackle Montrae Holland still hasn't practiced after reporting to camp overweight, Shanahan said Holland would make the trip to Houston and suit up. Shanahan said that was a change of plans because of some minor injuries on the offensive line, including tackle Erik Pears' sore lower back. He said Holland would only play in an emergency situation. More significantly, Shanahan indicated that Holland likely would begin practicing next week.
"He's done a good job with his conditioning in the morning, he's worked extremely hard, and he's watched his diet, so his weight will come down," Shanahan said.
The 6 p.m. game at Reliant Stadium will be televised on Denver's KCNC, Channel 4.
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Bailey didn't practice most of the week because of a hamstring problem.
Robertson, acquired in the offseason from the New York Jets, has battled a chronic knee problem the past few seasons.
"We've been going two-a-day practices, he's getting his condition level, and I think it would be a mistake to play him at this time," Shanahan said of Robertson, who was listed as the starter at defensive tackle on the Broncos' first depth chart, issued on Monday.
"He's making some tremendous strides," Shanahan added. "I just don't want to throw him out there too quick. We'll see how he practices against Dallas next week and determine if he'll play in that game. For sure, it'll be against Green Bay."
The Cowboys will be in Denver next week for practice work with the Broncos at Dove Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, then for the Aug. 16 game at Invesco Field.
Shanahan also said that starting cornerback Drč Bly would be used only in the nickel package against the Texans. "He's bumped up a little bit," Shanahan said. "We feel like he can go in the nickel package and get some continuity in our 45 defense."
Although offensive tackle Montrae Holland still hasn't practiced after reporting to camp overweight, Shanahan said Holland would make the trip to Houston and suit up. Shanahan said that was a change of plans because of some minor injuries on the offensive line, including tackle Erik Pears' sore lower back. He said Holland would only play in an emergency situation. More significantly, Shanahan indicated that Holland likely would begin practicing next week.
"He's done a good job with his conditioning in the morning, he's worked extremely hard, and he's watched his diet, so his weight will come down," Shanahan said.
The 6 p.m. game at Reliant Stadium will be televised on Denver's KCNC, Channel 4.
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