Chartric

Darby

They’ve also talked to Courtney Brown, former Falcons DT Ed Jasper, and former Bengals DT Tony Williams. The Broncos are thin and faceless on the D-line right now aside from Trevor Pryce, who is expected to get traded.

Darby is a solid veteran who was being heavily pursued by Denver.

Rookie third-round pick Brandon Mebane will move into the starting lineup next to Rocky Bernard. Darby’s injury comes at an inopportune time, as he’s in the final year of his contract and will turn 33 before 2008 free agency.

“He will be scanned tomorrow and I don’t want to speculate,” Holmgren said Sunday night. “But, I don’t think it’s a little thing.” Darby has been starting alongside Rocky Bernard. His backup is rookie Brandon Mebane.

Darby rolled over his leg on a double team, and isn’t expected to return.

The veteran was two weeks ago when Sammie Lee Hill went down for an ankle injury. His release likely means that Hill is expected to get back on the field this week.

Darby signed a three-year, $4.7 million deal with the Lions last offseason. Darby will likely be replaced by Shaun Smith in Detroit’s starting lineup.

Rookie defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill is reportedly banged up, so Darby will offer depth behind run-stopping specialist Grady Jackson.

Hopefully this isn’t their plan to replace Shaun Rogers. Darby and Wyms know Rod Marinelli’s system, but shouldn’t be seen as key cogs at this point in their career.

Darby is expected to take Shaun Rogers’ spot at nose tackle alongside Cory Redding, who will line up at the 3-technique. The team loses about four inches, 35 pounds, and gains four years going from Rogers to Darby. Still, he is familiar with coach Rod Marinelli’s system and the two have a positive history together. We’ll see how his recovery from a torn patellar tendon goes.