| Joe Mays was suspended for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Houston QB Matt Schaub. (Andrew Mason) |
To no one's surprise, the NFL denied Joe Mays' appeal of his one-game suspension Thursday.
The Broncos' starting middle linebacker will sit out Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders, and isn't allowed at team headquarters or Sports Authority Field at Mile High until next Monday. He will also be fined $50,000 -- but will not be fined a game check on top of that.
Based on the substitution patterns of previous games, Denver's plan for replacing Mays is likely to involve moving weakside LB Keith Brooking to the middle, while leaving Wesley Woodyard to play every down on the weak side, instead of just nickel and dime package downs as he did the last two weeks.
However, Brooking said the Broncos' plan is still being formulated.
"It's kind of unknown right now how we're going to fill that role. We're kind of working on things right now," Brooking said. "The good thing like our linebacker positions is that we have to know everyone's job, everyone's responsibility, so guys are familiar being put in different roles."
Backups Steven Johnson and Danny Trevathan could also see time relieving Brooking and Woodyard. Neither Johnson nor Trevathan has taken a regular-season defensive snap before. Fellow backup Nate Irving hasn't practiced this week because of a concussion suffered four days ago and is unlikely to play Sunday.
Mike Mohamed could also provide depth; he was re-signed to the practice squad Thursday so the Broncos could have six healthy, available linebackers for practice. Mohamed played two games last year and could be promoted if the Broncos decide they need a sixth linebacker for Sunday.
"We've got all kinds of options. We're still waiting day-to-day," Broncos coach John Fox said.
Injury update: Three Broncos did not practice Thursday: Irving, S Quinton Carter (knee), and WR Matt Willis (left hamstring). Irving and Willis were on the field, but Irving merely took mental repetitions and Willis worked out with a team trainer.
RG Chris Kuper (left forearm) was limited for a second consecutive day in his return to practice after missing six weeks.
RB Willis McGahee (rib cartilage), TE Jacob Tamme (groin strain), CB Tracy Porter (bruised knee) and CB Chris Harris (ankle) practiced fully.
For up-to-the-minute Broncos updates, follow Andrew Mason on Twitter at @CBSBroncos and @MaseDenver.