DeMarcus Walker Activated For First Time In 2018

By Zack Kelberman

DENVER (247 SPORTS) - It took six games and an injury, but DeMarcus Walker is finally active for the Denver Broncos.

The 2nd year defensive end, whose rookie campaign was a washout, will make his 2018 debut in Thursday's road tilt against the Arizona Cardinals, as previously suggested. He's up in place of outside linebacker Shane Ray, who's battling a high ankle sprain.

Quarterback Kevin Hogan, inside linebacker Alexander Johnson, right tackle Jared Veldheer, safety Dymonte Thomas and left guard Ronald Leary join Ray on the inactive list.

The Broncos primed Walker for a breakout year by talking him up and releasing pass-rushing DL Clinton McDonald at final cuts. They opted to carry six defensive linemen on their 53-man roster and dress five on game days. Evidently, though, Walker, a healthy scratch in each of the first six weeks, was the odd man out of the rotation.

Head coach Vance Joseph explained earlier this month that Walker is not at fault for his inactivity, chalking it up to the numbers game.

"D-Walk (Walker), he's had a good camp and he's working hard every day," Joseph said on Oct. 4. "It's a deep, experienced room and we only dress five guys. There're only six guys in that room, so his turn will come. It's a long season. We've got 12 weeks left to go. It's a physical, physical game and guys do get nicked. His time will come, but right now we've got five guys playing really good football. So, not his fault."

That Walker was rotting on the sidelines is a shame, because his teammates aren't applying consistent interior pressure. Zach Kerr and Shelby Harris -- moved from DE to nose tackle -- have combined for a whopping 24 tackles and a half-sack. Even starters Derek Wolfe (half-sack), Domata Peko (half-sack) and Adam Gotsis (zero sacks) offer next to nothing on passing downs.

The Broncos rank 12th in sacks (16) and dead last against the run.

Veldheer, dealing with a bone bruise in his knee, hopes to return for next Sunday's divisional clash with the Kansas City Chiefs. Billy Turner will continue starting at RT and faces the unenviable task of slowing down Chandler Jones, who ranks fifth in the NFL with 5.5 sacks.

Leary tore his Achilles' tendon in last Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He'll be placed on season-ending injured reserve, and Denver may promote a player from the practice squad to fill his roster spot.

Former starter-turned-backup-turned starter Max Garcia. who struggled mightily versus Los Angeles, will take Leary's place at LG. The Broncos' offensive line, from left to right: Garett Bolles, Garcia, Matt Paradis, Connor McGovern, Turner. Sixth-round rookie Sam Jones -- a Coloradan -- will dress for the first time as the swing guard.

"We'll see how that works out, but I feel good about that room. I do," head coach Vance Joseph said Monday.

"It's the same system, same gameplan."