Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

Broncos escape tough win over Bengals with no new injuries

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said Monday that two starters who left Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals – safety T.J. Ward and tackle Russell Okung – were “OK" when the players returned to work and should practice this week.

Ward left the game in the first half after suffering a “stinger" after a tackle. Okung came out of the lineup because of stiffness in his back. Both players returned to the game and finished things out in the 29-17 victory.

In all, Ward ended up playing 64 of the defense’s 67 plays. Okung played 54 of the Broncos’ 67 plays on defense. Okung was held out of the team’s offseason program after shoulder surgery following the 2015 season.

As far as the Broncos’ other injuries of note Kubiak said tight end Virgil Green and tackle Donald Stephenson – both players have calf injuries they suffered in the Week 2 win over the Indianapolis Colts – are still question marks. Neither player made the trip to Cincinnati this weekend and instead remained behind to receive treatment at the team’s facility.

“I would call those two guys day to day,’’ Kubiak said.

Kubiak added Green may be slightly ahead of Stephenson in terms of recovery, but neither player practiced last week. Ty Sambrailo started at right tackle in Stephenson’s place. Jeff Heuerman and John Phillips played 19 and 27 plays respectively against the Bengals with Green not in the lineup.

Phillips had two catches, including a 1-yard touchdown reception. Heuerman had his first career catch in the game – a 29-yarder in the fourth quarter.

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