The Broncos started the game with Chris Simms at quarterback. After three fruitless drives, Kyle Orton – who didn’t practice all week because of a sprained ankle – was inserted into the game. Plenty of people wondered why Orton didn't start the game if he was healthy enough to play at all.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said Simms had the practice repetitions during the week and Orton wasn’t 100 percent. Orton said he wanted to practice on Friday, but when he couldn’t, it was apparent Simms would start. McDaniels said Orton’s pregame workout was “touch and go,” so he didn’t start. Orton did tell McDaniels he was ready if needed, and he was after the Broncos started slow.

McDaniels also said the Broncos were going to change things strategically and go out of the shotgun more, which suited Orton. So he made the switch.

"That kind of dictated that we at least thing about the decision to go ahead and put him in there," McDaniels said.

Orton completed 15-of-29 passes for 171 yards. He said his ankle is getting better and proclaimed himself good enough to start against the New York Giants on Thursday.

"I’ll be ready to go Thursday," Orton said. "I don’t think I had too much of a setback today, which is good."

Kyle Orton came in to a standing ovation in relief of an ineffective Chris Simms, moved the team downfield right away, and then Knowshon Moreno had a fumble at the goal-line that robbed Denver of all momentum.

Moreno was stretching the ball over the goal-line when guard Russ Hochstein's knee came up and knocked it loose. The Chargers recovered. Brandon Marshall had words for Moreno as the two left the field, and Moreno had to be held back a couple of times by numerous teammates.

The Broncos at least showed some signs of life by moving the ball when Orton came in, but they're in a pretty big hole. Moreno's fumble could end up being a huge turning point in the game, and perhaps the Broncos' season.

Things started well for the Broncos, who have Chris Simms at quarterback today. With seven straight runs Denver moved the ball into San Diego territory, but on Simms' first pass attempt he was sacked by Shaun Phillips and fumbled. San Diego recovered, then drove downfield for a touchdown.

Denver has minus-8 yards passing so far. Simms was sacked on third down on the Broncos' second drive, leading to a punt. Denver needs to get a little out of the passing game today, to keep the Chargers honest.

If Josh McDaniels' comment that quarterback Kyle Orton "absolutely" has a chance to start Sunday despite missing practice all week with a left ankle injury is accepted at face value, it's worth looking into what will convince the Broncos to give Orton the start over Chris Simms.

First, unlike Simms last week, Orton shouldn't be rusty if called upon on late notice. He didn't practice with the first-team offense all week, but Simms' problem was that he hadn't practiced with the starting offense all season.

"I don't think it's ideal situation for any player who hasn't practiced, but I think the fact that he's taken all the reps for so many weeks in a row - or most of them - is a benefit," McDaniels said.

McDaniels will have until 90 minutes before the game to turn in his inactive list. Orton will get as much treatment on his ankle as possible before then. One reason he didn't practice Friday was because the team figured more rehabilitation on the ankle was more of a benefit than practicing (and risking injuring it again).

McDaniels said Orton will work out before the deadline for inactives, and would have to show that he can perform all the things that need to be done in the offense before the Broncos decide he is their starter.

"If we feel there's too many things we'll have to make allowances for, and yet Chris had all the reps in practice and did a lot of good things during the course of the week in practice, ultimately it comes down to what we think is going to give ourselves the best opportunity to play the game the way we have to play it to win," McDaniels said. "If Kyle's capable of doing that, then the decision has to be made at that point. If he's not capable of playing at that level, or doing some of the things we need him to be able to do, you go with the guy who has practiced."

McDaniels also alluded to another not-so-publicized but important decision that will need to be made Sunday, and that's if Orton should be inactive or the No. 2 quarterback if he can't start. Rookie Tom Brandstater would be the backup if Orton is inactive.

If Chris Simms gets the start at quarterback for the Broncos on Sunday - and after Kyle Orton missed his third straight practice Friday, it appears that will be the case - he is ready and able.

The latter isn't taken for granted by Simms, who suffered one of the more frightening injuries in recent NFL history in his last start, which came in 2006 with Tampa Bay. A start on Sunday would be a highlight to a pretty incredible comeback story.

"It's very exciting to me, it really is," Simms said today before practice. "I've been through a lot, I've always loved the game of foootball a great deal, and to have it almost taken away from me and to be back in the mix of things is a special time for me. I think it is for my whole family."

Simms will be on the spot if he gets the start. The Broncos need the win against San Diego, the co-leader in the AFC West. Simms is coming off a poor outing, with 13 yards against Washington in the second half last week, but this week he'll take all the first-team repetitions at quarterback.

"It always helps to practice and get those reps under your belt," Simms said. "Get to see the defense a little bit, get some timing and rhythm with the receivers. It'll help someone like me a great deal."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said Simms practiced well early in the week, and needed to finish it off well today as the team practiced red zone and two-minute offense.

"He has had two good days of practice," McDaniels said.

Quarterback Kyle Orton will not practice again for the third straight day, but Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels didn’t rule out Orton playing on Sunday against San Diego.

Orton has missed practice all week with an injured left ankle. Backup quarterback Chris Simms will get all of the repetitions during practice this week. However, McDaniels was still optimistic Orton could still play this week.

“Absolutely,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels praised Simms, saying he had a good week of practice and the team has confidence in him.

McDaniels said Orton will continue to rehabilitate his ankle, then will be worked out on Sunday morning to determine his chances of playing. Teams have to turn in their inactive list 90 minutes before kickoff.

Most players are inactive if they miss all week of practice, but McDaniels said he thought Orton’s experience practicing with the first-team offense would make it easier for him to play without practicing during the week.

McDaniels said he thought Orton’s rehabilitation was more important than exposing him to a setback during practice.

“We’ll continue working with him and hopefully we’ll be ready to go on Sunday,” McDaniels said.

McDaniels said running back Correll Buckhalter, who missed Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, will return to practice today. Buckhalter and running back LaMont Jordan were both out on Thursday.

Most Denver Broncos fans don't like San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, and Broncos players have had issues with him as well. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, never one to hold back words, wondered a couple years ago how Rivers could talk so much trash without having truly proven himself.

Bailey said he had never seen a quarterback talk so much on the field. That was then.

"I'm used to it now," Bailey said. "It was shocking to see him do it at first. But I know what type of person he is, I've gotten to talk to him a little bit, and he's a competitor."

Wait, have cats and dogs called a truce? Have Bailey and Rivers - who have been Pro Bowl teammates once - struck up a friendship? Bailey's face scrunched into a look that was a mix of bemusement and dismissal when asked.

"I'm not friends with some of the guys in here," Bailey said with a chuckle. "I wouldn't say we're friends. But we don't hate each other."

Bailey said the previous words between the two were "just competitive nature." Also, he didn't think Rivers was any more outspoken than the rest of the Chargers.

"To be honest with you, he's not the only one that talks trash on that team," Bailey said.

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton was a no-show at practice for the second straight day.

Orton was not present for the portion of practice that is open to the media. Orton has a sprained left ankle, and has one more chance to practice this week. The Broncos have a practice on Friday, which is their final practice before Sunday’s game. Usually Friday’s practice is the lightest of the week. Most players don’t play if they haven’t practiced during the week, but McDaniels said he has no set rule on whether someone can play after not practicing.

The Broncos are not giving up hope that Orton can play Sunday. The winner of the Broncos-Chargers game will be in sole possession of first place in the AFC West.

“We’d love for him to be out there as soon as he can possibly be out there, and very hopeful he’s going to play,” McDaniels said.

Orton did not practice on Wednesday either. Chris Simms replaced Orton in the second half of Sunday’s game against Washington and is in line to replace Orton if needed. Both quarterbacks were unavailable to the media today.

McDaniels sounded as if the Broncos are hoping for an improvement in Orton’s ankle the next few days. Orton couldn’t practice, but McDaniels didn’t want to make his decision based on how Orton felt today.

“He’s feeling better,” McDaniels said. “We’re going to see if he can do much today, then continue on his rehab schedule. Certainly not making any determinations based on where he’s at now.”

McDaniels said Simms practiced well on Wednesday, and seemed to gain confidence as the session went on. Simms completed only three passes for 13 yards in the second half of Sunday’s loss to Washington.

Orton said Wednesday that he wants to get back on the field as soon as he is physically able.

"I came back last year as soon as I could and I’ll do the same this year," Orton said.

While all of the attention this week has been on quarterback Kyle Orton's ankle (he was not present at the open period of practice today after missing practice Wednesday), the Broncos have some questions at running back too.

Correll Buckhalter, who was limited with a knee injury on Wednesday, was not present during the open portion of practice today. Neither was LaMont Jordan, who missed yesterday's practice with a back injury.

Those injuries left Knowshon Moreno and Peyton Hillis as the only healthy tailbacks from the 53-man roster practicing today. The Broncos also have running back Lance Ball on the practice squad.

Moreno could see his workload increase again if Buckhalter and Jordan are out. Last week against Washington, Moreno got all of the tailback carries after Buckhalter lost a first-quarter fumble. The two had been splitting time before last week. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels reiterated today he was comfortable with Moreno and Buckhalter, but Moreno was playing well so he stayed in most of the game, with Buckhalter playing a situational role.

Moreno had 97 yards last week when he got a majority of the carries.

"I was able to get in a groove, but even with the rotation I can get in a groove," Moreno said. "I feel pretty good with that."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said he didn't know of a team that has flipped its left tackle to the right side based on starting a left-handed quarterback. And even if another team has done it, he won't.

Along with everything else in the game plan this week, not much will change for the Broncos if Chris Simms has to start instead of Kyle Orton, who missed practice Wednesday with a left ankle injury. McDaniels said the line won't be affected at all.

"If we feel like we need to do something different on the backside of a player, whether he be left handed or right handed, than that is up to us as a staff to do that, but I don’t think the preparation for the linemen, in general, is going to be much different," McDaniels said. "They’ve got to still block the same guys, and the protections that we use, we use protections where we slide left, where we slide right, where the left tackle is singled (and) where the right tackle is singled, and we do that when we have either quarterback in the game.

"That shouldn’t make a difference in terms of what we’re doing and how we’re preparing. They’ve got to do their assignment the same no matter what hand the guy throws with."