Broncos' Ty Sambrailo's injury will likely keep him out vs. Vikings

Broncos rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo will likely sit Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, as the former CSU Ram missed practice again on Friday with a shoulder injury he suffered during Denver's 24-12 win over the Lions.

While Sambrailo hasn't officially been ruled out, it's common to sit a player who hasn't practiced all week, and Sambrailo missed Wednesday and Thursday practice as well. The Broncos will release their injury report later Friday, and we'll provide an update with Sambrailo's status at that time.

Assuming Sambrailo doesn't go, look for new tackle Tyler Polumbus to merit serious consideration, while Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris also remain possibilities to start at left tackle (either Schofield or Polumbus would fit in at right tackle if Harris swung over to left).

The news is damning for the Broncos as they prepare to face one of the NFL's top pass rushing defense in Minnesota; defensive end Everson Griffen already has three sacks on the year.

It's also an indictment on some of the moves John Elway made this offseason. While we join the media in praising Elway's architecture of the Broncos defense, the offensive line has been a mess. Trading swing tackle and former starting left tackle Chris Clark in the preseason has not paid off so far, as the Broncos scramble to replace Sambrailo (who has been spotty himself) at left tackle.