ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Defensive linemen Kenard Lang, who started 16 games last season, and wide receiver-returner David Kircus, who is facing an assault charge stemming from an offseason fight, are among those expected to be released by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.
Others who were absent Monday when the Broncos began preparations for their last preseason game were: defensive lineman Demetrin Veal; kicker Brandon Pace; wide receiver David Terrell; running backs Cedric Cobbs and Troy Fleming; and tight end Teyo Johnson.
Coach Mike Shanahan declined to discuss any of the players because the cuts won't be official until Tuesday's deadline for teams to trim their rosters to 75. Final cuts come Saturday.
Lang joined the Broncos as a free agent pass-rusher last year and started all 16 games after Courtney Brown's season-ending injury during training camp. His departure means rookies Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder will play more prominent roles and that the entire front four will be new this season.
Lang, who has played 10 pro seasons, started out as a third-stringer at camp but was hoping to make the team after starter Ebenezer Ekuban was lost for the season two weeks ago.
"Kenard is a great guy. He always making you smile. He'll truly be missed," said second-year pro Elvis Dumervil, who started at right defensive end Saturday night. "He's a true vet, he played 10 strong years. But you know it's a numbers game. It's just the way it is."
Veal played in 31 games over the last two seasons but didn't fit in Jim Bates' new system that requires bigger interior linemen.
Kircus caught nine passes and returned six punts for the Broncos last year after spending a year away from football working in a sandwich shop.
He's facing an Oct. 2 arraignment for a second-degree assault charge stemming from a May 20 fight that sent a 26-year-old man to the hospital with facial fractures. The charge carries a penalty of five to 16 years in prison.
Shanahan had said at the time he would release Kircus if it was determined the player was at fault. Kircus told his coach he was acting in self defense and kept his job after passing a polygraph.
But he fell down the depth chart with the emergence of young receivers Domenik Hixon and Brian Clark.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.