ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Javon Walker skipped practice on Wednesday with swelling in his surgically repaired right knee, a potentially ominous sign for the Denver Broncos and their star receiver.
"Javon just had a little swelling in there, he's had it for the last couple weeks," coach Mike Shanahan said. "Thought we'd give him a day's rest. Hopefully it gets better."
Walker missed almost all of his 2005 season in Green Bay after tearing his right ACL in the opener at Detroit. He joined the Broncos in a draft-day trade last year and caught 69 passes for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns. He became just the third wide receiver since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to record a touchdown run and a touchddown reception of at least 70 yards.
He had a solid training camp, showing flashes of his former self and declaring that he finally felt fully recovered from his knee operations. Walker predicted he could gain 1,600 yards receiving this season and started out strong, posting 100-yard games in the first two weeks before being held to 10 yards on two catches in a loss to Jacksonville on Sunday.
Asked if Walker's injury was anything alarming, Shanahan said, "hopefully not."
An MRI on Walker's knee showed "nothing serious, some inflammation," Shanahan said. "Hopefully, it gets better."
Shanahan said he expects Walker to play Sunday at Indianapolis.
Quarterback Jay Cutler (ankle) participated in the entire practice, but safety John Lynch (groin) sat out and likely won't test it until Friday, Shanahan said.
Fullback Mike Bell (head) also skipped practice and tight end Stephen Alexander (calf) was limited. Rookie tackle Ryan Harris practiced for the first time since undergoing a back operation six weeks ago,and special teams ace Paul Smith (neck) participated in practice but said the team planned to keep him out of contact all week in hopes he could play against the Colts.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
