Shaun Phillips Scores Broncos First Touchdown of Season

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (90) scores a touchdown on a recovered fumble against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Candlestick Park. (Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports)

Shaun Phillips, of all people, scored the Denver Broncos’ first and only touchdown of the season thus far. Elvis Dumervil who? San Diego Charger who?

With the arm of Peyton Manning, the hands or Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, the speed and precise route running of Wes Welker, and the burst and bounce of Montee Ball, who ever thought that would happen?

Nate Irving punched the ball out of D.J. Harper’s hands in the second quarter, and Phillips picked it up and ran it 9 yards for the score. It was the Broncos’ first preseason defensive touchdown in three years. For the record, Phillips has three career touchdowns in the regular season (2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery).

“It was just the right place right time,” Phillips said after the Broncos’ 10-6 win. “I always joke around saying who is the important one the guy that caused the fumble or the guy that recovered it. It was a gift. I felt like I caused enough in my day that I deserved some free gifts, and that was my free gift.”

The Broncos forced four turnovers in the win.

Phillips joined the Broncos after spending 9 seasons with the Chargers. Phillips was added to fill the void that Dumervil left in the sack department. Phillips’ best season came in 2006 when he had 11.5 sacks. However, he had 11.0 sacks in 2010 and 9.5 sacks last season. With a guy like Von Miller to draw some attention, expect Phillips to keep his season sack total up.

A fourth-round pick in the 2004 draft, the 6’3,” 255-pound linebacker joined the Broncos as an unrestricted free agent in April. He taunted Bronco quarterbacks for so many years that it was good to have him finally cross over the the good guys’ side.

A lucky bounce of the ball or being in the right place at the right time, Broncos fans all over wish the trend continues.

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