Broncos place C Walton on IR
Denver Broncos center J.D. Walton is out for the year after the team placed him on injured reserve Monday, a day after he broke an ankle during a 37-6 rout of the Oakland Raiders.
Walton left late in the first half and was replaced by veteran Dan Koppen.
The move was announced by Broncos coach John Fox during his weekly press conference.
Fox said Koppen should have no problem taking over for Walton.
"He had a similar injury as J.D. just had a year ago," Fox said. "That's why he wasn't with a team. We felt really good about the addition of him because he brings top-notch experience at that position. We had the opportunity to sign him and we did and I'm glad we did."
Fox liked what he saw of Koppen after relieving Walton.
"I thought he did very well," Fox said. "One thing about NFL football is the tape is never as good as you think and it's never as bad as you think. We still have a lot of improving to do.
"Dan with more reps in practice and a better understanding of our offense, he's capable of playing better, but he did a good job kind of on-the-job-training just getting thrown out there quickly when J.D. went down. Considering all that, he did an excellent job."
Denver travels to New England next Sunday to face the Patriots, Koppen's former team.
The Broncos also waived linebacker Mike Mohamed, while linebacker Joe Mays was added to the active roster from the reserve/suspended list. Mays had been suspended for one game for his hit to the helmet of Houston quarterback Matt Schaub.
Tight end Virgil Green is back from a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on the use of performance-enhancing substances. Green does not have to be formally activated until Saturday.
