ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --The injury that WR Emmanuel Sanders suffered on the last play of regulation Sunday is a bruised shoulder will leave him "day-to-day" as the Broncos begin their bye week, Head Coach Gary Kubiak said at his press conference Monday.
"I think Emmanuel's going to be fine," Kubiak said. "He came out of the game very sore. He's had a couple of issues like this before in college and pro ball; [that] is my understanding."
However, Kubiak believes that the bye will allow Sanders the opportunity to rest and return in advance of the Nov. 1 showdown with the undefeated Packers.
"My expectations, with the off week, are that you will see him come back when we start our preparation for Green Bay," Kubiak said.
OLB Shane Ray's knee injury was not as severe as initially feared. Kubiak confirmed that Ray suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the second quarter.
Ray will miss some game action as a result of the injury, since MCL sprains usually require a multi-week recovery.
"We're hoping that this is a short-term deal. It looks like it's got an excellent chance to be," Kubiak said. "I would just say that we'll be day-to-day right now.
"He's going to miss a little bit of time, but hopefully it's not going to be too much."
With Ray sidelined and OLB DeMarcus Ware expected back for Week 8 after sitting out Sunday's game because of the back spasms he suffered in Oakland on Oct. 11, Kubiak plans to continue making use of reserve OLBs Shaquil Barrett and Lerentee McCray. Defensive end Kenny Anunike also has the flexibility to bounce outside and could see some time there.
ILB Corey Nelson suffered an ankle and knee injury Sunday, but he is considered "day to day," and his issues are not considered serious for the long term.
"We feel fortunate with him, too," Kubiak said. 'We're going to work him through the week and we're hoping that next week he's back at it."
WR Demaryius Thomas played through a neck injury that prevented him from practicing last Wednesday and Thursday, but Kubiak said he emerged from the game "fine" and was "feeling good" Monday.
But with those injuries, plus the continued recoveries of RB Juwan Thompson and LT Ty Sambrailo from hamstring and shoulder injuries, respectively, the Broncos are receiving their bye week at a point where it could help the most.
"We limped out of [Cleveland], but we found a way to get out of there with the win, and this will be an important week for us to get some guys healthy," Kubiak said.
Emergency Room Care/ Denver ERs
HealthONE has 12 full-service emergency departments -- seven at our hospitals and five free-standing ERs. These include a Level I Trauma Center (adult and pediatric) at Swedish Medical Center; Level II Trauma Center at The Medical Center of Aurora; and Level III Trauma Center at Sky Ridge Medical Center. AIRLIFE-DENVER is our air medical transport serving facilities in an eight-state region.
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North Suburban Northeast ER
North Suburban Northwest ER
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Swedish Southwest ER
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