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Danny Trevathan, Brandon Marshall key to Broncos D

If the Denver Broncos have a concern on new coordinator Wade Phillips' talented defense, it's the health of inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall.

Trevathan, a breakout star in 2013, revealed Wednesday that he underwent kneecap replacement surgery in January.

"I've got somebody else's kneecap," Trevathan quipped, via Mike Klis of Denver's KUSA. "The other one was just done with."

Trevathan is adjusting to the new kneecap because it's slightly bigger than the faulty one with which he entered the world.

Marshall, a breakout star in 2014, plans to start running next week after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a December Lisfranc injury.

"I wish we had gotten (the surgery) done sooner," Marshall said. "I'd be a lot further along."

Although both linebackers are on the right track, the coaches will work with the medical staff to ease them into training camp.

Unlike other teams switching schemes on defense (the Bears, for example), the Broncos are fortunate to have the personnel on hand to naturally fit Phillips' 3-4 system.

They are loaded on the defensive line, at edge rusher and in the secondary. The big question is whether Trevathan and Marshall can recapture pre-injury form early in the season.

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