Broncos just might be full strength Sunday

Knowshon Moreno says he will be ready to play Sunday. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos have yet to line up with all of their offensive playmakers in place in 2009.

Better late than never.

Early indications are that QB Kyle Orton, RB Knowshon Moreno and WR Brandon Marshall are on the fast track to seeing the field Sunday for the team’s season opener in Cincinnati.  It’s a sunny prognosis considering all three entered the week with questions regarding their availability hanging overhead like a dark cloud.

KYLE ORTON
Orton was seen throwing and handing off the football today, wearing a glove over his right hand (and injured index finger). The media were only able to view a limited portion of practice, so we’ll forgive them for not providing a detailed scouting report, but the fact that Orton is participating is encouraging.

Backup quarterback Chris Simms, also recovering from injury (and saying he’ll be ready regardless), says he expects Orton to play this weekend. “I expect Kyle to be ready,” Simms told the Colorado Springs Gazette. “He’s a competitor, he’s a tough guy, I know he wants to play.”

Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy added, “it was obvious today he (Orton) could do it all.” McCoy also noted he didn’t see any limitations in Orton’s abilities.

Furthermore, the Broncos have scheduled Orton to be available to the media Wednesday. Simms has no comparable availability planned. The Broncos are sending a simple message: we expect Kyle Orton to start.

KNOWSHON MORENO
Broncos fans really haven’t gotten a taste of the first round rookie, but Moreno sounds like he’s ready to give them one Sunday. He admits he isn’t full speed, but said he was good enough to play Thursday for the team’s preseason finale. And he sounds like he’s chomping at the bit.

“I wouldn’t say 100 percent but I feel real good,” Moreno told the CSG. “Each day I’m getting better and we have a couple more days before the game so we’ll see how things go…. Whether they need me to be (ready), I’m going to be.”

In week one at San Francisco, Moreno’s only activity this year, the rookie rushed three times for 18 yards (6.0 avg).

BRANDON MARSHALL
The disgruntled, injured, suspended wide receiver has every excuse not to be out there this week practicing (and up to this point, he’s used them). But he’s finally turning his attitude around, regaining the support of his peers and turning into something resembling a good teammate.

Marshall politely declined comment before practice today, so the Coach commented for him. McD described his attitude as “great” since returning from suspension. Asked whether he expects Marshall to contribute Sunday, he replied, “absolutely.”

Still listed as a backup on the team’s online depth chart, Marshall will finally have to get around to learning that playbook he admittedly doesn’t know. But based purely on talent, there’s no doubt Marshall deserves to be a focus of the offense.

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If past years are any indication, the Broncos are expected to release an injury report Wednesday that may give more clarity to the situation. For now, for the first time since Moreno went down over three weeks ago, things are looking up on Denver’s injury front.