The Broncos were hopeful that Rod Smith, the franchise's leading receiver, would make it back from offseason hip surgery to help their offense. Those hopes died yesterday when Mike Shanahan announced Smith would be placed on season-ending injured reserve. At 37, Smith didn't have many years left even if he was the picture of health but its now likelier that you'll see Jake Plummer in a Bronco jersey than Smith. If his career is indeed over, Smith leaves the game with the 11th most receptions in NFL history, two Super Bowls rings and a certain spot in the Broncos Ring of Fame. Those are accomplishments any top-five draft pick would dream of but Smith wasn't even selected after leaving Missouri Southern in 1994. He's the only undrafted player with 10,000 receiving yards and, with Tom Nalen out for the season as well, leaves Jason Elam and Matt Lepsis as the only active Broncos who played on the back-to-back World Champions.
Smith wasn't the only Bronco lost for the season yesterday. Jarvis Moss, the rookie defensive end, broke his leg and tore ankle ligaments during a drill and will undergo surgery in the next couple of days. Unlike Smith, the 23-year old is expected back next season.
