Orlando Franklin recovering, but may not play at Colts

Orlando Franklin went through the locker room Monday carrying, not using, his crutches.

That was a good sign for the Broncos' right offensive tackle.

But Franklin also was hobbling not only from the left knee injury he suffered Sunday in the Broncos' 35-19 victory against Jacksonville, but from a boot on his left ankle.

That was not a good sign for Franklin playing Sunday at Indianapolis. Neither of Franklin's left leg injuries will require surgery. He is listed as day to day.

But the ankle could take a little more time than the knee to heal. If Franklin needs a week or so to heal, the Broncos already showed they could move the ball, and score, with Louis Vasquez shifting from right guard to right tackle and inserting Chris Kuper at right guard.

Kuper got his first action at right guard since the Broncos' playoff game against Baltimore — and first without a shattered plate in his left ankle since a Dec. 2 game against Tampa Bay last year.

"I felt fine," Kuper said. "I was able to do most everything that I like to do. It was nice to get my body accustomed to playing again. It was nice to get a win."

Vasquez is ranked by Pro Football Focus as one of the league's top pass-protecting guards this season. After he moved outside to tackle Sunday, the Broncos made two touchdown drives.

The Broncos' lone true backup tackle is Winston Justice, but he didn't sign with the team until Sept. 18.


(denverpost.com)