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Denver Broncos: Ed McCaffrey sat out Thursday's workout and is still nursing a leg injury and WR Chris Cole is listed as questionable for the Ravens game with a sore ankle. So rookie Adrian Madise will serve as the backup to Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie. "He's the only one left," Shanahan told the Denver Post. "He definitely knows he's going to be up this week - there's no ifs, ands or buts about it." Madise has only one catch for five yards, and that came last week in Minnesota when he was activated for the first time.

Miami Dolphins: OL Mark Dixon said Thursday his two-month battle with a right ankle injury, which required two surgeries, might be won. ''I think it will be fine, but I've said that before," Dixon told the Miami Herald. ''I can manage [the pain] better now. The pain is in a little different spot, which allows me to play. I feel it will be all right.'' Dixon, who was projected to be Miami's starting left tackle before this season, practiced with the first- and second-team offense for the second consecutive day and is expected to play against San Diego.

Baltimore Ravens: Coach Brian Billick confirmed Thursday that WR Dedric Ward will run back some punts Sunday, and there has been speculation that the recent free-agent addition will replace Lamont Brightful as the primary returner. Ward, who signed with the Ravens nearly three weeks ago, averaged 10.6 yards on 16 punt returns with the Miami Dolphins last season. Brightful's 7-yard average ranks 23rd in the NFL. "We're getting more and more comfortable with Dedric all the time," Billick told the Baltimore Sun. "We don't want to give up on Bright because he's been solid for us and helps us in the secondary. But we're working him in. If we find an appropriate place to do it, we'll do it."

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