The odds of Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow appearing in Sunday's primetime preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers appear dim, based on Josh McDaniels' comments Thursday.
"He's still pretty sore, and there are some things that I don't think he can really do effectively at this point," the Broncos' coach said. "But we've got a few more days here before the game."
Tebow has nursed sore ribs since being struck on the side on the final play of the Aug. 15 preseason opener in Cincinnati.
If Tebow does indeed sit out against the Steelers, Denver fans will be denied seeing the first-round draft pick play this summer at Invesco Field at Mile High, given the preseason finale is in Minnesota on Sept. 2.
Tebow practiced both Wednesday and Thursday.
"The range of motion has been pretty good," Tebow said said. "The next thing is just contact."
Denver's other first-round selection, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, continues to rehabilitate his bothersome left foot.
Thomas had returned to practice Tuesday for the first time in two weeks, but he had to pull back on his activity when he experienced more discomfort. The team sent Thomas for X-rays and a MRI, playing it safe with a player who had screws surgically inserted last February to stabilize a broken bone.
"We don't expect him to be out very long," McDaniels said.
The Broncos already have been missing Brandon Stokley from their receiving corps. He pulled up with a groin injury Aug. 17 and hasn't practiced since.
"All of us are going to feel better when Demaryius is fully ready to roll and he can go out there and stay out there and keep playing, but we're not concerned about it," McDaniels said.
Notes: The Broncos still are taking a wait-and-see approach on whether to keep reigning NFL sack leader Elvis Dumervil on the 53-man roster. Dumervil had his torn chest muscle surgically repaired earlier this month. The team is weighing whether having him back for a short time is worth the long-term risk and whether Dumervil's roster spot could be better used by a contributing player the next several months. ... RB Correll Buckhalter (back/neck) had practiced for two consecutive days after a long layoff, but he was out Thursday. ... Jarvis Moss appears to have the upper hand in the competition for the starting weakside job at outside linebacker, but he's being pushed by Baraka Atkins. ... Newcomer Jason Hunter continues to take reps as a backup strongside OLB as he continues his transition from defensive end. Hunter was picked up on waivers from the Detroit Lions last week.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
