Langston Walker, a lifelong offensive tackle, will start at left guard in Denver in place of the injured and out-for-the-season Robert Gallery and the struggling Chris Morris, coach Tom Cable announced today.
When Walker went in at left guard in the Pittsburgh win two weeks ago, it was the first time he had played on the line's interior since the infamous Brett Favre game on Monday Night Football in 2003.
Walker said he didn't "like" any of the schemes that day in Pittsburgh but has warmed to the position of late.
"I do feel a little bit better at it, just because I've had a week's practice at it," Walker told reporters. "The coaching staff is pretty confident in me playing it. I'm just going to go out there and do it.
"I've always been, 'You want me to do this? I can do it,'" he added. "I put that in my mind that I can do it and I go out there and play at the highest level that I can. In terms of a permanent solution, who knows? I've seen stranger things. I could drop 100 pounds and might play linebacker or something like that."
Walker was joking, of course. But giving up eight sacks to Washington last week - six in the second half, when JaMarcus Russell was in the game - was no laughing matter.
Said Cable, when asked what went into the decision to start Walker over Morris: "Just the play of what we got last week at left guard and trying to secure that a little bit."
**************************************************************
Tight end Zach Miller's second concussion of the season will most likely leave him a game-time decision. He was scheduled to undergo tests this afternoon to see if he would be cleared to play against the Broncos. He did not practice this week after being stood up and leveled near the Raiders sideline in the closing minutes of the loss to Washington.
So who will start at tight end should Miller be inactive, Tony Stewart or rookie Brandon Myers?
"It wouldn't matter," Cable said, meaning both would get significant time.
**************************************************************
Rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) is listed as "out" for the Denver game - it will be his third straight missed game - as are QB Bruce Gradkowski (knees) and receiver Nick Miller (shins). Linebacker Sam Williams (illness) is "questionable."
Defensive end Greg Ellis (knee), safety Michael Huff (stinger) and defensive tackle Matt Shaughnessy (groin) are "probable."
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.