With Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathanexpected to miss six to eight weeks with a left knee injury, Denver waves goodbye to its leading tackler from a season ago.
In his absence, Brandon Marshall is slated to serve as the team's new weakside linebacker. The second-year defender and former fifth-round draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars feels at home in Denver's defense after joining last year's active roster when All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller tore his ACL.
"Now, I'm familiar with the defense, I have a couple of years in the league, so I know what the NFL is about," Marshall said, per the team's official website. "So I'm definitely ready if the time was to come."
The team also can turn to Lamin Barrow, a middle linebacker on the depth chart who plays his share of outside snaps in practice.
"(Linebackers) coach (Richard) Smith and coach (Jack) Del Rio, they've been cross-training us," Barrow said. "We've all been learning all of the positions."
That versatility is a plus, but neither Marshall nor Barrow have registered an NFL start. Denver can't make up for Trevathan's every-down presence as a strong cover man who did an outstanding job stuffing the run last season.
Still, the additions of hard-hitting safety T.J. Ward, rugged cornerback Aqib Talib and pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware bring power to a Broncos lineup that started 6-0 without Miller one season ago.
Said coach John Fox of the loss of Trevathan: "We'll hold down the fort until he gets back."
The latest Around The League Podcast highlights the winners and losers from the first week of preseason action.
