NFL transactions happen daily.

The Denver Broncos have two more games before their week six bye and the NFL’s trading deadline.   On Wednesday, October 19th at 4 p.m. (ET), teams will no longer be allowed to acquire players from other teams via trades.

In seasons past, trades have often happened just days and even hours leading up to the deadline. After the jump, we’ll look at two players the Broncos may be willing to dangle on the trading block.

May be placed on the trading block:

• Eighth year linebacker D.J. Williams.

Williams has been productive for the Broncos since 2004 when the team drafted him, and has started at least 14 games for the team in six of the last eight seasons.  However, one more DUI for Williams and he could be faced with a lengthy suspension.  Fourth year linebacker Wesley Woodyard has played in the place of the injured Williams (elbow) three games into the season and has proved the unit can hold it’s own with or without Williams.

Woodyard is leading the team in tackles (29) and it would be very hard for Denver’s coaching staff to bench him when he is playing so well.  If anything, the Broncos may move Williams to inside linebacker to replace Joe Mays, who has not played as well as Woodyard.  Williams has experience at MLB and would provide a talent upgrade for the linebacking unit.

However, if the Broncos feel that Mays and Woodyard can hold their own, Williams becomes expendable.  If Denver does put Williams on the trading block, they will have no trouble finding a partner to negotiate with.

•  Second year quarterback Tim Tebow.

If the Broncos really want the “Tebow Thing” — which has divided Broncos Country and seemingly disgruntled the locker room — to go away, all they have to do is trade Tebow.  There are teams out there that would be interested in such a trade and the Broncos could get decent value.

The problem is, Kyle Orton isn’t playing well enough to get a contract extension after the season and reserve quarterback Brady Quinn will also be a free agent in 2012.  If Denver trades Tebow, they won’t have any quarterbacks under contract next season.  Trading Tebow before he gets a legitimate shot at proving himself as a NFL quarterback would also provide a disadvantage.

From our point of view, trading Tebow has more cons than pros for the Broncos — but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Do you think Denver will try to deal either of the above two mentioned players? Should they?

Miller, known as a pass rusher, has adapted well to playing against the run and pass. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

The Denver Broncos offense hasn’t done anything flashy under new coach John Fox so far this season, but much to the credit of Fox and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, the defense has looked vastly improved.

Through the first three weeks of play, Denver’s defense is one of just two in the NFL to not allow a first quarter score, the Baltimore Ravens being the other team. It’s just the third time in the Broncos history that has happened (2002, 1989), according to Broncos Executive Director of Media Relations, Patrick Smyth.

One of the key pieces of the Broncos defense is rookie outside linebacker Von Miller, who has also placed himself in the Broncos record books.

“Broncos linebacker Von Miller is off to good start. He is the NFL’s only rookie and one-of-two players in the league (Baltimore’s Terrell Suggs) with at least 10 tackles, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles thus far,” tweeted Smyth on Tuesday.

The last time a Broncos defensive player recorded such numbers was in 1995, when Alfred Williams did it through the first five games of the season.

Suggs is a four time Pro Bowler and the Ravens have been known for having dominating defenses dating all the way back to when Brandon Stokley was in Baltimore (1999-2002).  Being mentioned in the same sentence as such defensive units and players is quite an accomplishment for the Broncos and Miller.

The defense looks to improve even more down the road, when starters Champ Bailey, D.J. Williams and Elvis Dumervil return, which could be sooner rather than later.  Denver’s defense will have to keep up their impressive play this week if they’re going to have a chance against the Green Bay Packers.

Miller has looked better each week.  The kid has a bright future in this league.

Champ Bailey and D.J. Williams are yet to appear in a regular season game together under Coach John Fox. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

Good news on the injury front this week in Dove Valley.  Three centerpieces of the Denver Broncos defense are expected to be back at practice tomorrow — Wednesday –  and possibly ready to go on Sunday at Lambeau Field.

Perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) is “iffy” for Sunday’s game against the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers, reports Mike Klis of the Denver Post. While linebacker D.J. Williams and defensive end Elvis Dumervil should be ready to go after being close to playing last week.

Defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (groin) is also expected to be back at practice, but is questionable at best to play on Sunday.  Offensive weapons Julius Thomas (high ankle sprain), Demaryius Thomas (finger) and Eddie Royal (groin) should all be back by the team’s week seven match against the Miami Dolphins following Denver’s bye week.

Running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is also expected to be back this week.  Moreno could have played Sunday but the coaching staff decided not to rush his recovery.

The Broncos defense couldn’t have picked a better time to get back to full strength. The Packers offense will prove to be a formidable foe for Denver’s improving defense.

Titans report and key after the jump.

Key

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation

Probable – virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty

Questionable – 50/50 chance player will not play

Doubtful – at least 75% chance player will not play

Out – player definitely will not play

After a productive preseason, Dumervil hasn't played in the regular season since seeing a limited role in Week One due to injury. (Photo by Rick Wilking/Reuters Pictures)

After being limited in practice since Wednesday, Broncos sixth year defensive end Elvis Dumervil has been ruled out for Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, coach John Fox announced on Friday.

The Broncos traveled to Tennessee on Friday afternoon for their upcoming match against the Titans.  Joining Dumervil on the inactive list is wide receiver Eddie Royal (groin) defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (groin), wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (finger) and tight end Julius Thomas (high ankle sprain).

Meanwhile, cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring) linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow) and running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) are all listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with receiver Brandon Lloyd listed as probable.

We expect Bailey to sit with Williams and Moreno taking on limited roles and Lloyd returning as the main receiver.  The Broncos haven’t moved up running back Jeremiah Johnson from practice squad and like to have three backs on game days, so expect Moreno do go (although a limited role in the offense he may have).

Joining Lloyd as the team’s four receivers will be Eric Decker, Matthew Willis and recently signed Quan Cosby.  Special teams captain Wesley Woodyard has not won the starting job away from D.J. Williams, but will probably see more playing time on Sunday as Williams is still recovery from his injury.

The Broncos on Friday also signed linebacker Mike Mohamed to the practice squad and waived tight end John Nalbone to make room for the transaction.

The Denver Broncos finally received some good news on the injury front Wednesday. Several players who missed Sunday’s game against Cincinnati due to injury were on the field practicing Wednesday in preparation for the Tennessee Titans.

Starting wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, running back Knowshon Moreno, defensive end Elvis Dumervil, and linebacker D.J. Williams all returned to practice Wednesday, per several reports. This leaves Champ Bailey as the most prominent player to still miss time.

Other absentees include WR Eddie Royal and TE Julius Thomas, who were injured Sunday and will be out at least two weeks. DT Marcus Thomas and WR Demaryius Thomas continue to miss time.

Having those four back, particularly Lloyd and Dumervil, will be a huge boost for this team. Let’s cross our fingers they’ll get through the week healthy and that a few more Broncos could join them.

The Broncos defense successfully contained Johnson last season, with defensive ends Robert Ayers and Jason Hunter playing especially well. (Photo courtesy of Joe Amon/The Denver Post)

If the Denver Broncos are going to be successful on Sunday and leave Tennessee with another W, they’ll have to stop Titans running back Chris Johnson.

And they know how to do it.

Last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver’s 4-3 defense showed a lot of 5-2 fronts, moving outside linebacker Von Miller up to the line of scrimmage to help stop the run and give the rookie less distance to travel on the way to the quarterback on passing downs.

In addition to their 5-2 scheme, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would have safety Brian Dawkins creep up in certain situations as well, basically putting another linebacker-like player in the box. When Dawkins creeps up, it gives the Broncos a 5-3 look and eight men in the box — the ideal defense for stopping the run.

When the Broncos played Tennessee in week four of last season, the defensive scheme was a base 3-4, but they utilized the 5-2 look then as well. Then-outside linebacker Robert Ayers would come up to the line of scrimmage and take on the role of a run-stuffing defensive end across from Jason Hunter on the line.

In this screenshot from the Broncos and Titans game last season, Denver's defense is seen in a 5-2 front with Dawkins coming up to cover the slot.

Using an eight-man front against Johnson and the Titans last season, Denver’s defense limited Johnson to just 53 yards on 19 carries (2.8 yards-per-carry average) and won the game by a score of 26 to 20.  It wasn’t just the defensive alignments that stopped Johnson however, the defensive line and linebackers played their responsibilities and tackled extremely well.

Ayers and Hunter are back this season and will most likely be playing their defensive end positions again (unless Elvis Dumervil is fully recovered from his shoulder injury and plays in more than just passing downs).  The linebackers will be different, with D.J. Williams out with injury, Wesley Woodyard and Joe Mays will be the two linebackers in Denver’s 5-2 look with Miller coming up to the line of scrimmage.

Dawkins is the wild card, with the ability to take on multiple responsibilities. Expect Dawkins to often come up  in run support as a third linebacker and cover the slot receiver in two-receiver sets.  Rookie Rahim Moore will be the deep support, assuming Denver plays a cover one, one safety-free defense (man coverage).

After watching film from their match last season, the Broncos will notice that the defensive linemen did a great job of staying on the line of scrimmage and not getting too far up the field and letting Johnson run by them. The defensive tackles also did a great job of holding their ground and not letting the offensive linemen get to the linebackers, allowing the linebackers to make plays, tackling Johnson after short gains.

If the defense plays their responsibilities as well this week as they did last season, Denver will again be able to contain Johnson to a less than productive afternoon.  However, Johnson is not the only player the Broncos will be worried about this season.

With Vince Young under center, the Titans did not have much of a passing attack last season, which allowed Denver to focus on stopping the run.  On Sunday, veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will be calling plays in the Titans huddle, and will pose a greater passing threat to Denver’s secondary than Young did in 2010.

Hasselbeck has found a favorite target in Kenny Britt, who has caught all three of Hasselbeck’s touchdown passes two weeks into the season.  Last year, cornerback Champ Bailey followed Britt, who was still able to catch three passes for 23 yards and a score.  The Broncos are hopeful Bailey will be able to play Sunday after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury.

If the secondary is without Bailey, expect Hasselbeck and Britt to score a lot of fantasy football points.  Even if Bailey is not able to go though, Denver’s defense will still be focusing on Johnson.

“Kenny Britt is a baller, no doubt,” Broncos safety Rahim Moore said on Monday. “But C.J. is still the man. He’s one of the top five players in the NFL.”

The Broncos will travel to Tennessee on Friday to give the team two days to adjust to the time change.  They shouldn’t have to adjust their defensive game plan from last season much, as it worked to perfection.  The Broncos own a 14-20-1 all time record against the Titans (who were one of the original eight AFL teams and a member of the AFC West as the Houston Oilers) and a 1-0 record against Johnson.

On Sunday, Denver’s defense will look to make it 2-0 against Johnson and get the franchises 400th regular season win.

Fat Tire: My Colorado beer of choice. (I'm an exiled Coloradoan; your favorite local brews in the comments).

The Broncos Six-Pack is a new weekly segment discussing six things we learned the day after the game. I hope you enjoy.

1. This was the 2nd best win in Kyle Orton’s Broncos career

Orton said it was his best, but we’ll leave those honors to his Week Five performance in 2009. (Since it’s a game I so often cite in my pro-Orton arguments on Twitter, I’ll remind you — Orton executed a 98-yard touchdown drive in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots to tie the game. Then he did it again in overtime, moving the Broncos into game-winning field goal range).

Back to 2011… Orton wasn’t perfect Sunday; he wasn’t even spectacular. His stripped fumble in the third quarter had his critics groaning once again. But considering the handcuffs placed on his offense by injury, he was efficient, careful, and dangerous enough to keep the Cincinnati Bengals defense honest.

Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at Invesco Field at Mile High on September 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

“This is one of the best wins that I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ve been a part of a lot of them,” Orton said. “This is a great win, to handle it the way we did, to have a total team win. The defense played great, we ran the ball great, and made enough plays in the passing game to get the win.”

Just consider the adversity Orton faced. With Brandon Lloyd, Eddie Royal, and the Thomases (Demaryius and Julius) out for most of the game, Orton was left with Eric Decker and Matthew Willis as viable targets (and Tim Tebow as a headline). He still made the most of this situation. Most notably, Orton hit Eric Decker deep for two impressive, take-me-off-your-fantasy-sleeper-list touchdowns, not allowing the Bengals’ defense to stack eight in the box and shut down Broncos runners.

Speaking of Tebow… between billboards and boo-birds, Orton had to know his start against the Bengals could be his last. As steadfast as John Fox claims to be, a terrible performance speaks a lot louder than fan angst. Orton didn’t let the pressure get to him.

But this was a total team win; Orton just did his part. He finished 15/25 for 195 yards, two TDs, no interceptions, and a 111.2 passer rating. That, and the ‘W’, will keep the cries for Tebow quiet for at least another week.

2. The Broncos defense held on when it mattered

The Broncos’ defense, bleeding yards and points throughout the second half, can be summed up in one word: clutch. They held the Cincinnati Bengals to 0 for 10 on third downs until their very last drive, where the Bengals improved to a whopping 1 for 11. That’s clutch. Late in the game, with the Bengals threatening to take what would have been their first and the last lead of the game, Broncos defenders Robert Ayers, Jonathan Wilhite, and Wesley Woodyard displayed great speed and aggression in pressuring, sacking, and defending the passes of QB Andy Dalton. Clutch again.

“I thought it was a character, toughness type of win,” Coach John Fox said Monday. “We had two big stops on defense in the last five minutes of the game that were critical. We were only up two points, so a field goal would have been the difference.”

“I’m just thinking, ‘Don’t let them get in field-goal position,’” Joe Mays said. “We were only up two points, and we knew if we got them in field-goal position, there was a chance we might lose the game.

“It was time for the defense to bow up, step up, make a couple plays here and there, and we were able to do that.”

3. Eric Decker just gets it

“Eric is a great player,” Kyle Orton said after the game. “Eric is one of those guys that you can tell is just ready to take off and take it to that next level.”

He’s already reached it. With eight receptions for 166 yards, Decker already has two more catches and 60 more yards than he had all of last season. He’s making great adjustments and developing a real chemistry with Kyle Orton.

Not only is Decker fast and sure-handed, but he’s smart and personable with the fans. On Monday night he tweeted, “Gotta give a lot love and appreciation to all you fans out there! Let’s keep the excitement rolling! #broncoscountry” That, a bunch of touchdowns, and a Mile High Salute or two surely helps his reputation with the fans.

Denver Broncos Von Miller (L) sacks Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (R) for a loss during their NFL football game in Denver, Colorado September 18, 2011. (REUTERS/Mark Leffingwell)

4. Von Doom Sack Count: 1.

Great game by the rookie. Elvis Dumervil was out, but Von Miller was still able to get to the quarterback.

But Miller’s effect was much greater than what can be measured by his first NFL sack. He repeatedly commanded double teams from Bengals’ offensive linemen, most notably in the defense’s coup d’etat, Jonathan Wilhite’s blitz sack of Dalton. Wilhite doesn’t have a clear path to the quarterback without Miller eating up a double team.

Miller enjoyed the first sack on his stat card, but he enjoyed his team’s first victory on the scoreboard more.

“It (the sack) doesn’t feel as good as win No. 1,” said Miller. “Hopefully we can get some more wins.”

5. Five things I think Peter King thinks I think

a. I think the Broncos thought Brandon Lloyd would play. They didn’t sign another wide receiver or promote Eron Riley from the practice squad, and Lloyd reportedly worked out before the game, going so far as to put on his game pants and thigh pads before deciding, with trainers, that he couldn’t go. That’s enough to suggest to me that the Broncos and Lloyd had planned on the 2010 Pro Bowler suiting up. And maybe, against a division rival or a tougher opponent, Lloyd would have toughed it out. Let’s just be glad the Broncos didn’t need him to and were able to pull out a win anyway.

b. I think they’ll address the receiver position this week. Royal and Julius Thomas are out for at least two weeks, and we don’t know if Lloyd or Demaryius Thomas would be available Sunday in Tennessee (though I expect Lloyd will be). Still, the Broncos are in need of at least another body at wide receiver.

A member of the Denver Broncos cheerleaders performs during a break in the action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Funny how Brandon Stokley signed with the New York Giants last week. There’s a former Bronco Mike McCoy could have used (particularly against the Bengals). The Giants also have Domenik Hixon — two former Broncos wide receivers that could have opened up the playbook had former coaches done things differently.

c. I don’t think Knowshon Moreno survives this season as the starter. Willis McGahee’s tough 101-yard rushing performance came on the veteran’s first start in a Broncos uniform. It took Moreno 20 games to eclipse a 100 yards rushing in a single game, and it’s a feat he’s only performed twice (both against Kansas City in 2010). And with his propensity for injuries, it makes sense for the Broncos to lean more heavily on the experienced, tougher McGahee. Moreno’s faster, and I think he retains his starting job when he initially returns, but by season’s end either injury or production will have McGahee starting in his stead.

d. I think I’ve underestimated Lance Ball. I was never overly impressed with the short and stout Terp runner, but he ran with authority against the Bengals. He rushed six times for 28 yards (4.7 average), which aren’t overwhelming stats, but I’m simply commenting on his running style. He passed the ol’ “eye ball test” Sunday afternoon. Ball lowered his shoulder and ran downhill with power. I’m excited to see what he can do as he progresses this season.

e. I think D.J. Williams’ days in Denver may be numbered. The old NFL “rule” that you can’t lose your starting job to injury will hold true for Williams… at least in 2011. Credit his productive history and leadership for that, but it says nothing of 2012. The Broncos owe D.J. $11 million over the next two seasons, but they’re getting the same productivity out of Wesley Woodyard for a lot cheaper right now. Woodyard has been effective in run support and superb at times in coverage, and he’s been a special teams captain since his rookie season, so the Broncos wouldn’t miss the leadership element. D.J. Williams’ strongest selling point may be his versatility — he’s played in all three positions in the 4-3, but the Broncos seem set in their other positions too. Joe Mays is laying the wood (he played much better than last week), and they’re not about to bench Miller.

6. Mistake-prone Broncos are lucky they weren’t facing a tougher team.

The fourth quarter was a cornucopia of near-apocalyptic errors by the Broncos’ offensive and special teams units, and they won’t be able to survive such critical mistakes against better competition in the future.

First, Ryan Clady‘s holding penalty eliminated a nine-yard Willis McGahee run, leaving the Broncos in a 1st and 20 situation with less than four minutes to play. The Broncos had a real chance to run out the clock there, but the left tackle’s penalty gave the Bengals life.

A few plays later, McGahee made a mental gaffe of his own, running out of bounds on third down and killing the clock instead of allowing it to wind down to the two-minute warning. Not only did the Bengals have life, they had time.

Finally, on the ensuing punt, Britton Colquitt lost 45 yards of net punt yards on his stat sheet following a Chris Harris out of bounds penalty. His initial 82-yard boomer was re-kicked after Harris failed to return in bounds in time. More important than Colquitt’s stats was the field position it afforded the Bengals. They were a field goal away from the upset, and only twenty yards away from the field goal.

Any of those mistakes could have doomed the Broncos to a loss. The combination almost surely should have. But the Broncos were tougher, better coached, and fortunate to be playing the Bengals Sunday. They need to tidy up if they hope to steal a win on the road against Tennessee or Green Bay over the next two weeks.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) is helped off the field after an injury in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

The Denver Broncos receiving depth just took another hit.

According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, slot receiver Eddie Royal will miss up to four weeks with a groin injury while “receiving” tight end Julius Thomas will also miss at least two weeks with a high ankle sprain.

This leaves the Broncos with Eric Decker and Matthew Willis as the only healthy active receivers on the roster. Head Coach John Fox said Monday that reserve quarterback Tim Tebow will not move to receiver to fill the void, as he did on Sunday when Royal went down in the first quarter. Fox said Tebow played well but will stay a quarterback, and the team will look to other receiving options.

Second year receiver Demaryius Thomas (Achilles/finger) could be ready to play as early as this week (although that is unlikely), as well as veteran Brandon Lloyd (groin). Rookie tight end Virgil Green and fullback Spencer Larsen each lined up as a receiver at one point in Sunday’s game, and remain emergency options for Denver.

If the position does not heal quickly, the Broncos may also activate undrafted rookie receiver Eron Riley from the practice squad. Riley had a nice preseason, catching six passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns. If the team moved up Riley however, they would have to make room on the roster, making his activation a last resort.

In other injury news, defensive tackle Ty Warren was placed on injured reserve last week. Meanwhile, linebacker D.J. Williams (elbow) may be ready to go in Week 4 while cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), defensive end Elvis Dumervil (shoulder), receiver Brandon Lloyd (groin), running back Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (pectoral) all remain questionable for next week’s game against the Titans. Fox said all four players are on a day-to-day status.

The Broncos need to get rid of the injury bug that has plagued them early on in the 2011 NFL season.  We wish all the injured Broncos a speedy recovery.

Ryan McBean was excused from Friday’s practice for personal reasons and will play Sunday. Bengals report and key after the jump.

Key

DNP – Did Not Participate; LP – Limited Participation; FP – Full Participation; NL – Not Listed

Probable – virtual certainty player will be available for normal duty
Questionable – 50/50 chance player will not play
Doubtful – at least 75% chance player will not play
Out – player definitely will not play