Wesley

Duke

This will probably end Duke’s career.

Duke barely saw the field in NFL Europe but is named as one of the competitors opposite Stephen Alexander in Denver’s two-tight end set. Tony Scheffler and Nate Jackson are others competing for the job.

The Rocky Mountain News reported in May that the former college slam dunk contest competitor would be competing for a starting job this season. Guess not. Duke was one of three tight end starters in the 2005 AFC Championship but was a little-used reserve in NFL Europe this spring.

Duke will have surgery Tuesday to repair the knee he injured last week in practice. The former hoopster has a history of knee blowouts and it’s uncertain whether he’ll ever be the same.

Interesting. Duke is another basketball player project to keep an eye on. He didn’t play college football and has torn his ACL three times. It’s quite an accomplishment he’s already made the active roster.

The former college basketball player was signed late in the season off the practice squad. Look for his role to grow next year.

Both were basketball players at the collegiate level, and Gates thinks Duke has a chance to be special. But unlike the All Pro, Duke has a history of ACL injuries that could hinder him, not to mention Jeb Putzier and Stephen Alexander ahead of him on the depth chart.

Duke injured his knee while in NFL Europe and will be rehabbing for quite some time. He underwent a microfracture and still needs more surgeries. We doubt we see Duke again in the NFL.

Anyone thinking Duke is going to be the next Antonio Gates needs to calm down. He should make the Broncos, but as a reserve. Denver is probably targetting 2007 as a big year for Duke.