Broncos’ Tracy Porter ruled out for Sunday

(Rick Wilking / Reuters)

Cornerback Tracy Porter (illness) has been ruled out for a third consecutive week due to seizure-like symptoms that were diagnosed by the team’s medical staff in August.  Porter did not travel with the team to Cincinnati on Friday afternoon, as the team continues to evaluate his situation.

“We’re still regulating the medication,” Broncos coach John Fox said.  “Not that it was a setback, but there was a little bit of an issue, and we’ll evaluate that moving forward.  His safety is what’s the utmost concern right now.”

In Porter’s absence the past two weeks, young defensive backs Tony Carter and Chris Harris have stepped up to fill the void in the secondary, combining to record eight passes defensed and intercepting an additional three passes.  Expect to see Harris and Carter see more playing time this week across from Champ Bailey, with rookie Omar Bolden providing additional depth.

The Broncos will take on the Bengals this week, kickoff is scheduled for 11 (MT) Sunday morning (broadcast map).  In franchise history, the Broncos have faced Cincinnati 26 times, owning an 18-8 all-time record in those matches.

The Broncos are wise to play it safe with Porter.  In this case, the team has shown true concern for a player, which is refreshing in a world where player safety is often trumped by a win-at-all-cost philosophy.