The Broncos plan to rely on Justin Bannan to stabilize an unheralded DT corps. With question marks surrounding fellow tackles Ty Warren, Sealver Siliga, Mitch Unrein, Kevin Vickerson and Derek Wolfe, the steady Bannan is a necessary cog in the defense.
Because of that, the Broncos might have to exercise even more caution in bringing him back from a calf injury that has dogged him at training camp.
Bannan began practice Friday, but was pulled early when the injury flared up. It has bothered him since the beginning of camp, even though it's not considered serious.
"I think he's a tough kid, that he keeps trying to get out there. I think sometime we might have to put the reins on him a little bit," Broncos coach John Fox said. "I think it's something that he could actually play with if we were in season, but we want to get him healed up and ready for the season."
Unrein has filled in for Bannan on the first team through most of training camp and did so again Friday afternoon.
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