ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- John Lynch isn't ready to call it quits yet.
Denver's star safety said he should be ready to play against Tennessee on Monday night after going through a full-contact practice Thursday for the first time in weeks.
Lynch pinched a nerve in his neck the last time the Broncos played on Monday night, against Green Bay on Oct. 30. He hasn't played since.
"It went good," Lynch said. "It was the plan this week to add some contact, we had some spirited contact out there and I think all things are looking good."
There was plenty of caution and concern when he was initially diagnosed with the stinger. He had surgery on his neck after the 2003 season.
And Lynch, 36, knows he's not getting any younger.
"You have time to think about a lot of things, so sure, you reflect a lot," Lynch said. "But most of all, once the reports were good, I was just doing everything I could to get back and looking forward to that."
The secondary had mixed results with Lynch out. The defense surrendered 246 yards passing and two touchdowns against Detroit in a 44-7 loss the week after Lynch went down. The Broncos bounced back against Kansas City, allowing just 217 yards passing and no touchdowns to go along with three interceptions in a 27-11 win.
"The guys did a great job last week when I was out and I'm looking forward to being out there with them this week," Lynch said.
He'll be tested immediately. The Titans run the ball more than any team in the league. Lynch's specialty? Big hits in run support.
"I guess there's a couple of ways to look at it," Lynch said. "You get tested right away, and that's a good thing. So you better be ready to play and better be ready to bring it against these guys: big backs that are loads, and I kind of like that style."
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.
