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One of the reasons the Denver Broncos are confident about their defense heading into the 2014 season is the influx of players expected from their playoff roster. That doesn't just include the free agent signings of DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward - the healthy returns of Von Miller, Chris Harris Jr., and Kevin Vickerson will be like virtual free agent signings as well.
The Broncos will have to wait just a little while longer to see those returns.
The Broncos may enter training camp this week without the immediate help of four prominent Broncos, the Denver Post reports, as the Broncos are expected to consider placing them on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp. Miller (knee), Harris (knee) and Vickerson (hip) make up the defensive PUP list candidates, while tight end Joel Dreessen rounds up the list after undergoing his third knee surgery in the last 14 months.
If these players land on the preseason PUP list, they'll have until the first week of the regular season to clear their conditioning and make the roster. Otherwise they face being placed on the regular-season PUP list, where they'll miss at least six weeks, or the season-ending Reserved/Injured list, or worse, being waived altogether. (Update: MHR's own ozark_orange breaks down the PUP list rules in a fantastic FanPost right here.)
The Post reports that all four Broncos are confident in being ready for the regular season.