The Denver Broncos haven't had the easiest season thus far. Javon Walker just had knee surgery, Travis Henry is facing a possible year-long suspension, Brandon Marshall got arrested for DUI and the team's defense has struggled with new personnel and a new coordinator. They did win a big Sunday nighter against the Steelers, though, and got another reason to smile on Wednesday when the best receiver in franchise history practiced for the first time all season. Rod Smith has been on the physically unable to perform list since undergoing offseason hip surgery and hadn't been on a football field since the last game of 2006 before donning a jersey and running patterns yesterday. The Broncos can activate him at any point in the next three weeks or they have to place him on season-ending injured reserve. His teammates were happy to see him back on the field.
Every time Smith caught a ball during warm-ups, the defensive backs cheered and then chanted, "We love Rod."The odds may seem long against Smith making an impact this season but keep in mind that he wasn't drafted before embarking on the 13-year career that made him a Bronco icon. With Walker out and Henry headed that way, a healthy Smith could bolster the Broncos offense in the second half.
