ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Safety T.J. Ward and NT Sylvester Williams are both "day-to-day" following ankle injuries they suffered on the same play late in the first quarter Sunday night, but their injuries are not the exact same in nature, Head Coach Gary Kubiak said Monday.
"Both of them are a little bit different types of ankle issues," Kubiak said as he opened his day-after-game press conference.
Both were seen in the locker room with crutches after the game. By midday Monday, both were in the training room lying "side-by-side," Kubiak added.
"[Williams] and T.J., they'll battle back," Kubiak said.
"It's painful, but I'm optimistic I'm coming back," Ward added Sunday night.
David Bruton Jr. filled in for Ward, with Omar Bolden moving up to Bruton's spot in the hybrid dime sub package that functions as a nickel formation because one of the safeties moves into the box. Bolden played a season-high 27 snaps Sunday.
Vance Walker saw most of the additional work at nose tackle in place of Williams; he played 27 snaps and notched a sack Sunday.
"He's been consistent," Kubiak said of Walker, who missed the Bears game a week earlier because of a shoulder injury.
Rookie Darius Kilgo also helped fill in for Williams, playing six snaps.
Right guard Louis Vasquez will also be day-to-day as he recovers from the groin injury he suffered in the first half.
His injury forced Evan Mathis into full-time duty. Mathis was active in the event of an emergency after testing his injured ankle Sunday afternoon, but Kubiak hoped to get through the entire game without using him.
"We had hoped to get through," Kubiak said. "We had a decision to make before the game whether we would suit [WR Jordan] Norwood or Evan. Evan moved around [well] enough. We felt like he was probably the most important guy to suit up if we had a problem."
Fortunately for Mathis and the Broncos, he did not suffer a setback by playing Sunday.
"He'll be better this week," Kubiak said.
Max Garcia started for Mathis at left guard, but shifted to Vasquez's spot after the injury. He is expected to remain there until Vasquez returns.
Quarterback Demaryius Thomas remains in a walking cast. A decision will soon be made as to whether it is removed early or later this week; after that, his rehabilitation will resume.
He will not play in San Diego this week. No determination has been made on his status for subsequent games.
"The progress has been good," Kubiak said.
The sights of the elated scene as the Broncos eclipsed the Patriots in overtime, and the celebration in the locker room. (Photos by Eric Bakke, unless otherwise noted)
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