Correll Buckhalter Returns to Practice With Other Key Injured Broncos

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Broncos' injury-depleted running game gained some steam on Tuesday.

Correll Buckhalter, sidelined since Aug. 1 with neck and back problems, has returned to practice.

Meanwhile, running back LenDale White, who suffered an ankle sprain the day after his Aug. 4 signing by the Broncos, is expected to rejoin practice on Wednesday, along with left tackle Ryan Clady. Coming off a Pro Bowl campaign, Clady tore his knee up in the offseason playing basketball and opened training camp on the non-football injury list.

Also returning to practice Tuesday to bolster the Broncos' offense were top draft pick wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas and guard Chris Kuper, both of whom have recovered from ankle injuries sustained in a training camp practice two weeks ago.

Cornerback Champ Bailey, who missed last Saturday's preseason game against Detroit with an apparent shoulder injury suffered in the exhibition opener at Cincinnati, also was back at practice.

Among those still sidelined during what has been an injury-riddled training camp for the Broncos were rookie quarterback Tim Tebow (ribs) and starting tailback Knowshon Moreno (hamstring). Tebow was hurt when he smashed into two Cincinnati defenders as he ran for a touchdown on the final play in Denver's exhibition opener on Aug. 15.

Moreno strained his hamstring on the same day Buckhalter suffered a neck/back stinger in training camp drills. However, Moreno may see little or no preseason action in hopes of getting the hamstring fully healed.

Coach Josh McDaniels welcomed the additions as a sign the team was gradually regaining its health. He noted the team still had three weeks to be at or near full strength for the Sept. 12 regular season opener at Jacksonville.

"It feels good to get a few more of those guys back out there and actually practicing together a little bit," McDaniels said. "It's unfortunate that we've had some of these guys miss [practice time]. I think now that you can start to get them back out there, you start to develop the chemistry on both sides of the ball that you really need going into the season."

McDaniels declined to say whether one, some, or all of the players returning from injury would be available to play in Sunday's exhibition against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Buckhalter said he'll be eased back into football activities.

"I haven't done anything football-wise for three weeks or more," Buckhalter said. "It's a process. I'm a little older now, so I don't know if I can just jump right in. I have to take it day by day and work myself in."

Buckhalter said there's still plenty of time to resolve any issues with what so far has been an anemic and little-used rushing attack by the Broncos.

"Now is the time to fix everything," Buckhalter said. "When the season comes, you won't have that letdown. We have some great guys on that offensive line that will really get this running game going, once we really start running the ball."

White said he's looking forward to being part of it. He's also anxious to show what he can do in the preseason in hopes of securing a roster spot because he's going to have to miss the first month of the regular season while serving a league-imposed suspension for a drug policy violation.

"I'm here to play football and I'm trying to get better every day," White said. "That's what I can't wait to do -- get on the field, and show my teammates I'm here for the long haul."