FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/20/2009 1:12pm et

Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 19. The Broncos have not ruled him out for Week 11 and said he is feeling better.

The Huddle Take: Don't hold your breath regarding Orton. A lot of this talk is probably meant to create doubt in the mind of San Diego's defensive coordinator as to who is going to be under center for Denver in Week 11. Assume Orton will sit.

Posted: 11/19/2009 3:26pm et

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) missed his second straight practice Thursday, Nov. 19, with a severely sprained ankle. He is still hoping to play in Week 11.

The Huddle Take: When you see the phrase "severely sprained ankle" associated with anyone, it's never a good sign. The Broncos need this week's game against San Diego desperately, but if Orton tries to gut it out he could be more of a hindrance than a help, plus hurt himself worse. As bad as Chris Simms was against Washington, he'd probably still be a better option than a one-legged Orton. Good luck with all of that, Bronco fans.

Posted: 11/19/2009 10:45am et

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton has torn ligaments in his left ankle. However, he is still hoping to start in Week 11. "I'll come back as fast as I can and try to lead the football team and try to be in the huddle just like everybody else," Orton said. "In this sport, you've got to play when you are dinged up, and the quarterback is no different."

The Huddle Take: Chris Simms, who was abysmal in relief of Orton last week, has been taking first-team snaps this week and would be in line to start for the Broncos if Orton can't go.

Posted: 11/17/2009 12:42pm et

NFL Network reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (ankle) will play in Week 11 despite an injured left ankle.

The Huddle Take: Those who own Brandon Marshall can breathe quite a bit easier knowing it'll be Orton under center and not Chris Simms. Marshall will be worth Fantasy consideration this week against the Chargers, but he's not a no-brainer. Marshall had a great game the first time the two teams met in 2008, with 166 yards and a TD, but the other four times he's faced San Diego he's been held in check, with no TDs and an average of about 60 yards per game.

Posted: 11/16/2009 4:56pm et

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels said the team will not know if QB Kyle Orton (ankle) will be able to play until later in the week.

The Huddle Take: Usually, the rule of thumb is if a player doesn't practice on Friday, he won't play on Sunday. But a lot of position players can get by with only practicing a day or two because they're so familiar with their role. A quarterback, however, would probably need to be practicing by Thursday at the latest in order to fully implement the following Sunday's game plan. If Orton isn't taking the vast majority of the practice snaps by then, it'll be looking highly unlikely for him to play Week 11. We'll obviously be keeping a close eye on his progress - or lack thereof - all week.

Posted: 11/12/2009 2:50pm et

The Colorado Springs Gazette reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton said the offense needs more big plays to have more success. 'We have also got to find a way to make some bigger plays, no question about it,' Orton said. 'It�s tough to always rely on eight-, 10-play drives to score points, but it would be great to find ways to score in three- or four-play drives.'

The Huddle Take: That should be pretty tough this week, considering the Broncos are on the road against Washington. The Redskins have allowed the second-fewest Fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and rank No. 8 in the league in Fantasy points allowed to wide receivers.

Posted: 9/21/2009 10:50am et

CBSSports.com reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton decided to wear a glove to protect his right index finger again Week 2. Orton said he is hoping to lose the glove for the team's Week 3 game.

The Huddle Take: Crash Davis would tell Orton not to mess with a streak; if he's playing well because of the glove, then leave the glove on. At this point Denver is 2-0; superstitious Broncos fans are strongly in favor of Orton continuing to keep that finger protected with a glove.

Posted: 9/14/2009 10:52am et

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton had stitches removed from his index finger after the team's Week 1 game. He hopes to be able to play without wearing a glove in Week 2.

The Huddle Take: Maybe Orton can loan the gloves to Brandon Marshall, whose struggles to catch the ball helped contribute to Orton's pedestrian stat line—at least until he tacked on an 87-yard touchdown toss on the Broncos' final offensive play of the game.

Posted: 9/10/2009 11:31pm et

Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (finger) has practiced all week with a glove on his right hand to help with his grip. Coaches say Orton's throwing has not been impeded by the injury to his right index finger. The team is hopeful Orton will start Week 1, and head coach Josh McDaniels said Orton should play if there's no further setback.

The Huddle Take: It certainly seems that Orton will likely be in the lineup on Sunday for Denver's game against the Bengals. Fantasy owners should view Orton as a No. 2 quarterback at best for the present time since the Broncos receivers have been injured or inconsistent most of the preseason. There is some upside here but that will likely come after Orton gets some experience in this offense.

Posted: 9/9/2009 4:14pm et

The Denver Post reports Denver Broncos QB Kyle Orton (finger) said he expects to be able to play in Week 1. 'I'm preparing that I'm going to play. No question about it. (I'm trying) to take as many reps as I can this week in practice to get ready, and be ready to go on Sunday,' Orton said. Orton does not know if he will wear a glove on his right hand during the game.

The Huddle Take: Continuing to look as if Orton will make his Bronco debut Sunday in Cincinnati.