Denver Broncos – Page 16 – North Platte Post Archive

Denver Broncos Cut Ties with Matt Prater

Posted on October 3, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have cut ties with Matt Prater, who’s about to come off his four-game suspension.

First-year kicker Brandon McManus has turned his temp job into a full-time one.

In a statement, GM John Elway said releasing Prater was “a very difficult football decision.”

He added that McManus “has earned the opportunity to continue kicking for our team with how well he’s played to start the season. He has a very strong leg and we have confidence in him on both field goals and kickoffs.”

Prater appeared in 96 regular-season games for Denver from 2007-13, connecting on 141 of 170 (.829) field goal attempts and 259 of 261 (.992) extra point attempts for 682 total points. He registered 262 touchbacks on 497 kickoffs (.527) for the Broncos while posting eight special-teams tackles.

Seahawks hold off Broncos 26-20 in Overtime

Posted on September 21, 2014

SEATTLE (AP) — Marshawn Lynch scored on a 6-yard TD run on the first possession of overtime and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Denver Broncos 26-20 on Sunday in a Super Bowl rematch that lived up to expectations.

Seattle (2-1) blew a 17-3 fourth-quarter lead, watching Denver tie the game at 20 on Peyton Manning’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Tamme with 18 seconds left in regulation and his 2-point conversion pass to Demaryius Thomas.

But Manning never saw the ball in overtime thanks to Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson. After nearly getting sacked for a safety and throwing an interception in the fourth quarter, Wilson was brilliant in overtime. Wilson rushed for 21 yards and was 4 of 6 passing in overtime. Lynch went the final 6 yards.

Manning led the rally for Denver (2-1) helped by a number of Seahawks mistakes.

Broncos Backup to Play Following Dad’s Death

Posted on September 19, 2014

Marvin Austin (Photo courtesy of Twitter)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos defensive tackle Marvin Austin said he’ll play Sunday at Seattle in honor of his father, who died Friday.

Marvin Austin Sr. had been hospitalized in Raleigh, North Carolina, since being ejected in a rollover auto accident Sunday evening in Selma.

Austin got the news while having dinner at a steakhouse in Denver following the Broncos’ victory over Kansas City and flew to North Carolina. He spent several days there until returning to practice Thursday.

Austin told The Associated Press on Friday that he won’t fly back until Monday. He said he wouldn’t even consider skipping this weekend’s game against the Seahawks.

Danny Trevathan Returns to Practice for Broncos

Posted on September 18, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Denver Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan is practicing for the first time since breaking his left leg Aug. 12.

The team’s leading tackler a year ago, Trevathan is expected to miss one more game and then return Oct. 5 against Arizona following the team’s bye week.

Trevathan, a sixth-round draft choice out of Kentucky in 2012, is coming off a breakout season in which he led the Broncos with 124 tackles and intercepted three passes. He also led the team with two dozen tackles in the playoffs.

Brandon Marshall has started in his absence and leads the Broncos (2-0) with 17 tackles.

Defensive tackle Marvin Austin also practiced Thursday after returning from North Carolina, where his father was seriously injured in a rollover accident.

Elway Son Pleads Guilty in Domestic Violence Case

Posted on September 18, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Jack Elway, the son of Denver Broncos general manager John Elway, has pleaded guilty in a domestic violence case involving his girlfriend.

Court records show the 25-year-old John Albert Elway on Tuesday pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace and was sentenced to one year of probation that includes domestic violence counseling. Prosecutors withdrew an assault charge.

Elway was arrested in May after his girlfriend told Denver police that he pulled her from a car by her hair and shoved her to the ground when she tried to get back inside, causing scrapes. Police say Elway then fled the scene.

Court records show Elway is forbidden from possessing firearms and from having contact with the woman in the case.

His attorney, Harvey Steinberg, did not immediately return a call for comment.

Welker Back on the Field after Suspension Lifted

Posted on September 17, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Wes Welker is practicing for the first time since Labor Day. The Denver Broncos wide receiver was reinstated Wednesday after the NFL agreed to a new performance-enhancing drug policy.

Welker’s four-game suspension for offseason amphetamine use was essentially cut in half, and he’ll be eligible to play Sunday at Seattle.

Under the new rules, players who test positive for banned stimulants in the offseason will no longer be suspended. Instead, they will be referred to the substance-abuse program, where a first offense doesn’t result in an immediate ban.

It takes multiple positive tests under the substance-abuse program before a suspension.

The players union agreed to the new policy on Friday. But the NFL didn’t sign off on the new policy before Saturday’s roster deadline.

Broncos DT Austin Excused for Family Emergency

Posted on September 15, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Defensive tackle Marvin Austin has flown to North Carolina to be with his father, who was involved in a serious car accident.

The Broncos excused Austin and said they’d support him during the crisis. It’s not known whether he’ll be back for Wednesday’s practice following an off day Tuesday.

According to ABC television affiliate WTVD in Durham, Marvin Austin Sr. was ejected in a rollover accident Sunday evening in Selma. He and three passengers were hospitalized at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh, according to the station.

A former second-round draft choice of the New York Giants, Austin signed a one-year deal in Denver last summer following back surgery and made the roster with an outstanding training camp.

Broncos Fend Off Chiefs 24-17 with Goal-Line Stand

Posted on September 14, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Terrance Knighton batted away Alex Smith’s fourth-and-goal pass to Dwayne Bowe with 15 seconds left, preserving the Denver Broncos’ 24-17 win over the scrappy Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The Broncos (2-0) thought they had sealed the win twice earlier on the drive.

Aqib Talib’s pick-6 was negated by Quanterus Smith’s hold. Then, Nate Irving’s fumble recovery following DeMarcus Ware’s sack and strip was ruled an incomplete pass after a replay.

The Chiefs (0-2) converted 11 of 16 third-down opportunities overall.

They just couldn’t capitalize in the biggest moments as the Broncos defense mustered two goal-line stands for the second straight week.

Peyton Manning was 21 of 26 for 242 yards and three TDs.

Welker, Scandrick Remain on Suspended List

Posted on September 13, 2014

Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker won’t be suiting up on Sunday.

Neither will Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick.

Despite the union’s approval, the NFL didn’t sign off on a new drug policy before Saturday’s roster deadline, meaning players potentially eligible for reinstatement remained on the reserve/suspended list.

That includes Welker and Scandrick, who are both serving four-game punishments.

The NFL Players Association approved a new policy Friday that would introduce HGH testing and significantly increase the threshold for positive marijuana tests. Other changes could result in suspended players seeing their punishments reduced or rescinded.

Despite the union’s OK, the NFL didn’t approve the new policy by the 4 p.m. ET deadline for the 53-man rosters to be set for Sunday’s games.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press on Friday night that significant issues remained unresolved.

Wes Welker Could be Back on Field by Sunday

Posted on September 12, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Wes Welker has passed concussion protocol and could be back on the field as soon as Sunday if the NFL signs off on a new drug policy approved by the players’ union.

Representatives of the NFL Players Association approved the comprehensive new policy Friday that includes implementation of testing for HGH and an increase in the threshold for testing positive for marijuana.

Welker was suspended four games for amphetamine use in the offseason, but punishment for that is being switched from the performance enhancers policy to the substance abuse program — except for in-season violations.

If the league approves the agreement, the Broncos’ slot receiver could be eligible to play when the Kansas City Chiefs visit Denver on Sunday.