DENVER BRONCOS / NFL

Briefs: Broncos' Omar Bolden unlikely to play Thursday against Chargers

Mike Klis
The Denver Post

POSTED:   10/21/2014 12:01:00 AM MDTADD A COMMENT

UPDATED:   10/21/2014 09:31:11 AM MDT

Broncos cornerback Omar Bolden, who participates in about 70 percent of the special-teams plays, suffered a concussion late in Sunday night's game against the San Francisco 49ers. With the Broncos playing again Thursday, it will be difficult for Bolden to clear the concussion protocol in time to contribute against the San Diego Chargers.

Other Broncos not practicing Monday were place-kicker Brandon McManus (groin), linebacker Steven Johnson (ankle) and running back Montee Ball (groin).

Johnson participates in nearly 80 percent of the special-teams plays. McManus has been receiving treatment for several weeks. Ball has missed the past two games, and the expectation is that he will miss three more before possibly returning in Game 10 at St. Louis or Game 11 against Miami.

Eli misses big brother's record. Business is business. New York Giants' quarterback Eli Manning was taking a presumingly unhappy flight back from Dallas after his team's loss to the Cowboys when he heard about older brother Peyton Manning breaking the career touchdown pass record.

"We were on the plane when it happened, so I got home and saw it and just sent him a text message congrats and I was proud of him," Eli told New York reporters Monday. "I haven't gotten to talk to him yet.

"Obviously, I know he was proud of the win with it and again, I didn't get to see it live, but I know you never play for individual awards and records and that kind of stuff, but that's kind of special, touchdown record. It's pretty special, and it has an opportunity for sticking around a long, long time."

Super odds on Denver. The Westgate Las Vegas Hotel sports book adjusted its Super Bowl odds after NFL games Sunday and the Broncos, who were tied with the Seattle Seahawks last week as co-favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, are now the team to beat. The Broncos' odds to win the Super Bowl improved to 3-1 after they destroyed the 49ers 42-17. Seattle, which lost to the St. Louis Rams after trading Percy Harvin and has lost two in a row, has seen its odds drop to 8-1. Seattle has dropped not only behind the Broncos but also the Green Bay Packers, who have the second-best Super Bowl odds at 6-1. Next are New England and Indianapolis, each with 10-1 odds. Bibbs signed, Barrett waived. One former Colorado State player was promoted at the expense of another. The Broncos called up running back Kapri Bibbs from their practice squad Monday. To make room on their 53-man roster, the Broncos waived linebacker Shaquil Barrett — who was promoted from the practice squad to 53-man roster last week. Other teams had shown interest in trying to sign Bibbs away from Denver's practice squad, which is why the Broncos promoted him. If Barrett clears waivers, as expected, the plan is to have him rejoin the Broncos' practice squad. Footnotes. Through Week 4 of the season (three games), DeMaryius Thomas' 13 catches for 141 yards were nowhere near the NFL's top 40 in each category. Three games later, his 39 catches rank 11th and his 662 yards are fourth. ... The Broncos rank third in rushing defense, allowing 74.3 yards per game. Only Arizona (72.5) and Detroit (73.4) give up fewer yards.