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Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts Each Missing A Key Starter

By Rich Kurtzman

Are you ready for some football? The Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts are, with minimal injuries heading into the Sunday Night Football kickoff.

Ah, opening week in the NFL. Exciting, isn't it?

Every team has a chance of bringing home that coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy, every team starts at 0-0 in the win-loss columns.

And for the most part, every team is healthy.

Some fare better than others when it comes to escaping training camp and the preseason without major injuries; both the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts had one. Running back Vick Ballard tore his achilles in Colts camp and he's done for the season, while Danny Trevathan's lower leg break has him sidelined for at least the first three weeks.

Losing Trevathan in camp for an extended time could prove to be a big blow to the Denver D. The weakside linebacker wasn't only the team's leading tackler last season with 124, he also tied for a team lead in interceptions with three. Trevathan has a knack for making plays, with 10 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two sacks; he was consistently all over the football field for the Broncos.

Former practice squad linebacker Brandon Marshall has been playing in his place, and doing well, at least in preseason. It will be interesting how Marshall does in Trevathan's stead against an explosive offense like the Colts'.

As the teams prepared to play one another, a few more minor injuries arose.

One was to Broncos starting right guard Louis Vasquez, who left practice early on Wednesday due to a back issue, but he was back on the practice field Thursday. In Indy, starting center Khaled Holmes is dealing with an ankle issue and didn't practice Friday. Also on Thursday, backup Broncos guard Ben Garland missed his third straight practice with an ankle strain and again on Friday, he's officially listed as out.

Probable:

Denver Broncos

Probable:

Wide receiver Isaiah Burse (heat)
Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (knee)
Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (knee)
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (thigh)
Guard Louis Vasquez (back)
Cornerback Kayvon Webster (ankle)

Out:

Guard Ben Garland (ankle)
Linebacker Danny Trevathan (lower leg)
Guard Joe Reitz (ankle)

Indianapolis Colts:

Probable:

Center Jonotthan Harrison (hand)
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (rest)

Questionable:

Running back Sergio Brown (shoulder)
Center Khaled Holmes (ankle)
Outside linebacker Erik Walden (abdomen)

For more Broncos news and updates, visit Broncos Central.

Rich Kurtzman is a Denver native, Colorado State University alumnus, sports nerd, athletics enthusiast, and competition junkie. Currently writing for a multitude of websites while working on books, one on the history of the Denver Broncos and Mile High Stadium. Rich is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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