Receiver Rod Smith's return from left hip surgery was formally pushed at least six games down the schedule.

As part of their moves to get down to the league-mandated 75 players, the Broncos placed Smith on the reserve/ physically unable to perform list, which means Smith can't be on the roster for the first six games.

Leading to their seventh game — Oct. 29 against Green Bay, a Monday Night Football game at Invesco Field at Mile High — the Broncos can let Smith practice with the team for three weeks.

After those three weeks, the Broncos can add Smith to the active roster for the remainder of the season or place him on injured reserve, ending his season.

Roster moves

The Broncos formally turned in their list of cuts to the league Tuesday, but they had made the majority Sunday and the final two Tuesday morning.

Punter Paul Ernster, who was the team's seventh-round draft pick in 2005, and safety Quentin Harris were the two players released Tuesday.

In limited duty — six punts — Ernster had posted good numbers during the preseason with a 45-yards-per-punt gross average and a 41.7-yards-per-punt net. Those were better than Todd Sauerbrun — 40.4 gross and 33.3 net — has posted in nine punts.

But the Broncos believed Sauerbrun's work during the offseason, as a whole, was better.

"Not very many people who can kick off and punt, so (Ernster) does bring a lot to the table," coach Mike Shanahan said.

NFL rosters must be to 53 players by Saturday afternoon, but the Broncos traditionally have informed the players who would be released the day after their final preseason game, which would be Friday.

The Broncos designated receiver David Terrell, who was among the Monday cuts, as "left squad" when they turned in the names to the league office.

Taking a look

A recent ruling by a Georgia court that requires Broncos running back Travis Henry to pay $3,000 a month in child support, as well as funding a $250,000 trust for the 3-year-old boy, is not a punishable offense under the league's newly implemented personal conduct policy.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said the conduct policy, in general, covers criminal violations of the law. Child support is considered a civil matter, not criminal, by the courts.

But the league would take a longer look at Henry's case, including a possible suspension, if it becomes a matter where a warrant is issued and Henry is arrested for violating the order at some point.

Henry repeatedly has said he would take only "football questions" in recent days and has not commented on the case.

According to a report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, court records in the case showed Henry has fathered nine children by nine women.

Henry signed a $25 million deal with the Broncos in March and will be the team's starting running back.

New four pack

When the Broncos stood across from the St. Louis Rams offense Sept. 10 in the 2006 opener, their defensive line was Ebenezer Ekuban at right end, Gerard Warren at right tackle, Michael Myers at left tackle and Kenard Lang at left defensive end.

None of the four will start this year's opener, Sept. 9 against Buffalo.

Ekuban will miss the season because he tore his right Achilles' tendon in the preseason game against Dallas, Warren was traded to the Raiders days later, Myers was not re-signed in free agency after the 2006 season and Lang was released by the Broncos this week.

"Kenard is a veteran player, a first-round draft choice who gives you everything he's got," Shanahan said. "Obviously, going with some younger players — a true pro the way he practiced, the way he played — tried to help the young guys."

Demetrin Veal, who started two games at defensive tackle last season and was a regular in the rotation up front, was also released this week as part of the first round of roster cuts.

Against the Bills, the Broncos' starting defensive line figures to be Elvis Dumervil at right end, Sam Adams and Amon Gordon at the tackle spots and John Engelberger at left end.

He said it

"I'm not Karnac. He's seeing specialists, seeing the best in the world, and when he's ready to come back, he'll come back. Hopefully, it's sooner rather than later, but that's why we have specialists in a certain area."

Mike Shanahan, Broncos coach, in response to a question about guard Ben Hamilton's return from a concussion.

Etc.

Quarterback Patrick Ramsey is not expected to play much, if at all, Thursday against Arizona, with Preston Parsons and rookie Darrell Hackney splitting the playing time. Parsons has not played in the preseason; Hackey had gone 4-of-9 passing for 29 yards and one interception in limited work. . . . The Cardinals are expected to play their starters on offense and defense for one or two series. That includes quarterback Matt Leinart. . . . Running back Edgerrin James is a question mark with a sore hamstring.

Injury report

Hamilton and tackle Adam Meadows (left calf) were the only Broncos players on the roster who did not practice the past two days. Neither will play Thursday.

In the cross hairs

Quarterbacks who find a way to avoid the rush were the most efficient in 2006 — among those who started at least five games.

TOP SEVEN

Pass attempts Quarterback per sack

*Peyton Manning 39.8

*Steve McNair 33.4

*Drew Brees 30.8

Brett Favre 29.2

Joey Harrington 25.9

*Rex Grossman 22.9

Mark Brunell 21.7

* Played for playoff team

BOTTOM SEVEN

Pass attempts Quarterback per sack

Andrew Walter 6.0

Michael Vick 8.6

Charlie Frye 8.9

J.P. Losman 9.1

Jon Kitna 9.5

Ben Roethlisberger 10.2

Jay Cutler 10.5

legwoldj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2359

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