ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos will be without starters Bradley Roby, Darian Stewart, Brandon Marshall and rookie returner DaeSean Hamilton for their game against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The Broncos activated safety Su’a Cravens off injured reserve and replaced receiver Isaiah McKenzie with River Cracraft on Friday.
With right tackle Jared Veldheer returning from a knee injury, the Broncos finally have the luxury of giving left tackle Garett Bolles some plays off to try to settle him down and break his holding habit.
The Broncos could either put Veldheer in his spot or move Billy Turner over from the right side.
They’ll replace Roby, who has struggled in his adjustment from nickel back to starter following the off-season trade of Aqib Talib to the Rams, with a mix of veterans Tramaine Brock and Adam Jones and rookie Isaac Yiadom.
Along with Chris Harris Jr., those three will face Texans star DeAndre Hopkins and ex-teammate Demaryius Thomas, who was traded to Houston on Tuesday.
Until now the Broncos were limited in their options for Bolles, who keeps giving up pressures and sacks, and Roby, who keeps allowing too much cushion and big plays by not jamming receivers or playing the ball on deep passes.
Three weeks ago, coach Vance Joseph said he didn’t fear losing the locker room over his patience with Bolles and Roby, saying, "They all understand we’re playing the best players." He said Bolles and Roby had to fix their flaws in the glare of games rather than through a benching."
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