Sep 14, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Broncos have the rare luxury of replacing their injured leading tackler Danny Trevathan with someone like Brandon Marshall.
Marshall was phenomenal in his relief of the starting weakside linebacker through Denver’s first three games and his number is being called once again.
Trevathan suffered a fracture just above his left kneecap and will be out 6-8 weeks minimum.
As much as the defense will miss him, Marshall is no slouch.
When he replaced Trevathan last Sunday in New York (Jersey), Marshall immediately took on play-calling duties and seemingly hadn’t missed a beat.
"“We switched the helmets out, and I called the signals just like I did before,” he said. “It was an easier transition this time. The Colts game (season-opener), I am not going to lie, I was a little nervous. This time the game wasn’t as fast. It slowed down for me.”"
If he keeps improving, Marshall could make some of Bronco Country forget about Trevathan.
Marshall should be ready for a team like the 49ers. His run defense on running back Frank Gore and friends won’t be much of a problem.
It’s the coverage duties of Vernon Davis that could give him serious trouble.
The Broncos have been plagued with the inability to cover anything that resembles a tight end the past couple of years. Those troubles could continue on Sunday if Marshall struggles.
Davis is an absolute freak athletically and can outrun the fastest linebacker. Couple that with his ability to get open and shrug off defensive backs, and it makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
It’ll be mainly up to Marshall to somewhat contain him. Even though he’s still dealing with a back issues, Davis remains the 49ers top option in the passing game and acts as Colin Kaepernick’s security blanket.
Marshall will get the chance to show the world what he’s made of when Vernon Davis and the 49ers invade the Mile High City.