NFL notebook

Maroney in Broncos’ mix

Associated Press / September 25, 2010

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Denver running back Knowshon Moreno is out again after pulling his left hamstring during practice Thursday and Correll Buckhalter is expected to start in his place when the Broncos host the Colts tomorrow.

This is just the most recent injury for Moreno. The starting tailback pulled his right hamstring the opening day of training camp and didn’t return until Aug. 31, saving his on-field debut until the regular season. He has gained just 111 yards on 39 carries this season.

Denver’s running game has been off to a dismal start. The team’s 77 yards per game ranks 27th.

Indianapolis should see more of a three-headed approach to the run game by Denver, with Buckhalter and newcomers Laurence Maroney and Andre Brown likely to share the workload.

Maroney hasn’t even had two weeks to assimilate Denver’s playbook after his acquisition from New England Sept. 15. He didn’t even begin practicing with the Broncos until this week due to a thigh injury sustained in the Patriots’ final preseason game. But that transition has been eased by a Denver offense that’s similar to the one coach Josh McDaniels ran in New England.

“For the most part the system is pretty easy,’’ Maroney said. “I’m not saying too easy, but I know a lot of it and I feel confident I can go in there and do my thing and not have too many mistakes.’’

Ailing Jets prepare

Jets center Nick Mangold and linebacker Jason Taylor are questionable, but are expected to play at Miami tomorrow night. Mangold practiced for the first time this week on a limited basis after spraining his right shoulder Sunday. He said he’d “have to be dead’’ to not play. Taylor was limited while recovering from an injured left elbow . . . Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder is questionable because of a groin injury that forced him to miss the first two games.

‘Bruise’ was ruse

Running back Beanie Wells had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after he was injured in the team’s final preseason game, a fact the Cardinals kept secret. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt confirmed that Wells had surgery to repair a torn meniscus but said it was not a serious procedure. The issue was raised after a reporter from CBSSports.com noticed incision marks on Wells’s knee. Wells sat out the first two games with what the team repeatedly said was a bruised knee . . . Giants center Shaun O’Hara missed his third straight practice with ankle problems and is doubtful for tomorrow’s game against the Titans . . . Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme missed a second week of practice, and will likely miss a second straight game, once again giving Seneca Wallace the start.