NFL notes: Broncos may need help at QB

APWill Chris Simms be healthy enough to see action in Denver with Kyle Orton banged up, as well?

The quarterback situation in Denver right now is shaky — at best — with injuries to Kyle Orton and Chris Simms. Simms is still out with a high ankle sprain, but what worries me more about the Broncos is the index finger on the throwing hand of Orton. According to reports, Orton has an open dislocation of the finger, something I experienced during my own career. The impact on the joint is so severe that the bone comes through the skin.

The issue isn’t putting it back together, which requires a quick fix and some stitches. It’s the pain that will continue for close to two weeks. The finger becomes stiff, the flexibility is gone, and if you’re a quarterback, your grip on the football will have to change to compensate for the pain in the finger — which could cause some worry in the Denver locker room.

The Broncos now find themselves in a tough spot and — if Orton and Simms are not ready for practice next week — may have to look at brining in a veteran such as Philly’s A.J. Feely just to start the opener. But from what we’re hearing, the team is confident that Orton will be ready for Week 1, and, at worst, could go with rookie Tom Brandstater, who we’re told has impressed the team.

Is it time to worry in Buffalo, where the first-string offense and quarterback Trent Edwards have struggled to score points? WR Terrell Owens and his injured toe are making progress, according to reports, but how much stock can we put into Owens when it comes to the entire unit?

Our own Mike Lombardi wrote about the Bills and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert on Monday, and we have to agree that the production of the offense has to fall on the shoulders of Edwards — with or without T.O. in the lineup. Yes, Owens will help the Bills score points in the red zone, but it’s Edwards job to get them there. And right now, that’s not happening. That opening Monday night game in Foxborugh is coming up fast, and the Bills are going to have to score points if they want a chance to sneak out of New England with a win.

APThe health of Charles Tillman will be a key factor in whether or not the Bears' defense can return to form.

The Bears’ secondary is in question right now with injuries to CBs Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman, and that’s why the team moved to sign Rod Hood, which are own Brad Biggs wrote this morning. If anything, Hood can provide some depth and experience on special teams once Tillman returns. But isn’t it interesting that all offseason, when we talked about the Bears, the question marks pointed at the defensive line, the pass rush and the play of DT Tommie Harris? Instead, the front four has looked solid this preseason.

Now we’re starting to question if the Bears will have enough talent on the field when they open the season Sept. 13 under he lights at Lambeau against the Packers and Aaron Rodgers. Yes, Nathan Vasher is healthy, but he hasn’t done enough in the recent past for us to believe that, if Tillman is still out, he can carry the load as the No.1 corner on the field.

The Chiefs’ Larry Johnson spoke out about the recent firing of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, and I’m not surprised to hear this from a player on that roster because players in this league get a feel for how coaches interact with them. And it’s obvious that Johnson and the rest of the Chiefs saw this coming.

I commented Monday on the risk Haley is taking with this move, but when your team is struggling, it’s up to the head coach to make a change — whether it’s with players or the coaching staff. Considering that the change isn’t going to happen with QB Matt Cassel after his new contract, it had to come with Gailey. Now we get to see how it affects the rest of the team — the defense and special teams in particular — as the season begins.

Don’t put too much stock into Michael Vick’s play Thursday in the Eagles’ final preseason game. For starters, he won’t be playing against any first teamers. Most of the competition Vick will see will be from roster hopefuls trying to gain a final spot on the club, and most of those players will be on the street by Monday. Plus, after Thursday, we won’t see Vick on the field again until Commissioner Roger Goodell makes a call on his full reinstatement. The Eagles will put the Vick drama behind them and continue to work on what wins in Philly — Donovan McNabb and the west coast offense.

APCarson Palmer will look to knock off some rust if he's ready to go in preseason action on Thursday.

Carson Palmer may play Thursday, according to reports, and if I’m running the Bengals, Palmer would see at least two series. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing against guys who won’t make an NFL roster because he still needs the work after missing significant time in the 2008 season and in August. Is there a risk for injury in a meaningless game that features players doing everything and anything to make a club? Of course, but there’s more risk that a rusty Palmer plays in Week 1 and costs the Bengals a win if he isn’t game ready.

After watching the Texans last night, I’m growing concerned about their front seven on defense. I love Mario Williams’ game, but can they stop the run, and can anyone outside of Williams make a play?

As most of you know, I have a lot riding on the Texans’ season with our own Michael Lombardi. After last night’s outing, I may have to ask Lombardi to up the ante: I want WrestleMania tickets this spring if my Texans go to the playoffs -- and Bud Heavies in bottles, not cans.

And if they don’t, Lombardi is flying coach, in the middle seat, to Amsterdam to see the Boss in concert.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

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