St. Louis Rams safety Rodney McLeod wasn’t fined for his hit that left Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders concussed, an NFL source said Friday.
McLeod delivered a vicious shot to a diving Sanders in the Broncos’ 22-7 loss last Sunday. Sanders remained down for several minutes and did not return to the game after entering the concussion protocol.
Sanders said Friday, in his first session with the media since the hit, that McLeod was “trying to make a statement.
“He didn’t lead with his head,” Sanders said. “He led with his shoulder. In terms of targeting, I felt like the guy could have gone for the ball. I think his intentions the whole time were to deliver a blow. That’s the only thing I am not too happy about.
“I feel like in the National Football League, although it’s a violent game, you’re always supposed to protect your brother,” Sanders continued. “And most free safeties, they like interceptions.”
Before the injury, Sanders caught five passes against the Rams for 102 yards, including a 42-yard TD. He was Denver’s most effective weapon.
Sanders cleared the concussion protocol Thursday, practiced fully Friday and is probable to play Sunday in Denver’s home game against Miami.
“He looked good out here,” Broncos coach John Fox said Friday.
Added Sanders: “I practiced and felt good, but I haven’t taken a hit yet. (Saturday) is a new day, and we’ll see how I feel then.”
Thank you, Raiders. Oakland’s 24-20 victory over Kansas City on Thursday night put the Broncos temporarily alone in first place in the AFC West, but they know there is work to do.
“It helped us, but we still have to do our part Sunday,” said defensive end Malik Jackson. “If we don’t do our part, we haven’t gained anything.”
If the Broncos (7-3) win Sunday against Miami (6-4), they will pull a full game ahead of the Chiefs (7-4) before going to Kansas City to play them next weekend.
Fox preferred to minimize any advantage gained by Oakland’s win over Kansas City.
“We’re not really concerned with anybody else,” Fox said. “We’re more concerned with us. Our division plays every week. All our focus is on us.”
Injury report.Running backs Montee Ball (groin) and Ronnie Hillman (foot) won’t play Sunday. Tight ends Julius Thomas (ankle) and Virgil Green (calf) are questionable.
“We said ‘limited’ on our injury report, but it probably was closer to ‘did not participate,’ ” Fox said of Thomas. “He still is questionable.”
Despite the injuries to skill positions, Sanders and Wes Welker said the offense will be OK.
“I don’t think we’re getting short of weapons,” Sanders said. “Regardless who is on the field, they have to execute at a high level and make plays.”
On the run. What has been an anemic running game for the Broncos came under scrutiny after trying nine running calls against St. Louis.
Fox acknowledged Denver’s running game has to be better, but he’s not panicking.
“We’re one of the top offenses in the NFL,” Fox said. “We’re 7-3 and trying to be 8-3. We work hard on both phases of the offense.”
“I don’t think we’ll go super heavy on the running game,” said running back C. J. Anderson. “When you can run, it makes a lot of things easier. But whatever is called, you have to execute.”
