Schaub will be ready, but maybe not Orton
Published: September 1st, 2009 | Tags: Chris Simms, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kevin O'Connell, Kyle Orton, Matt Schaub, Tom Brandstater
Houston Texans starting QB Matt Schaub is all but certain to be ready to go for Week 1 after suffering a minor ankle injury Monday night, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Schaub played through the discomfort against Green Bay and though he may sit out the final preseason game, all indications at this point are that he will be good to go for Week 1.
The source estimated Schaub at “99.9 percent” likely to play.
Kyle Orton faces a much more murky scenario in Denver, however. He suffered a dislocation and laceration of a finger on his throwing hand Sunday night, and there are no assurances he will be ready for their season opener, according to a source. Orton will have to miss considerable practice time and one source estimated his ability to play in Week 1 as “50-50.” The Broncos could well add a quarterback between now and then — they may have put a waiver claim on former Patriots QB Kevin O’Connell. But regardless, with Chris Simms still out indefinitely as well, rookie Tom Brandstater would be next in line to start.
The sixth-0round choice out of Fresno State has been the only other quarterback working regularly in coach Josh McDaniels’ system.