The Denver Broncos cannot seem to escape the dark cloud lingering overhead.
The team's summer of sludge continued Sunday when starting center Dan Koppentore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during training-camp practice. His season, and possibly career, is over. Koppen, you'll remember, was brought back to Denver last month after starting center J.D. Walton suffered a season-ending setback with an ankle injury.
Center is the biggest area of concern along Denver's offensive line, but it's not the only one. Left tackle Ryan Clady has been limited in practice as he comes back from shoulder surgery. Right tackle Orlando Franklin is working his way back from surgery on his toe and shoulder. Guard Chris Kuper isn't practicing as he recovers from ankle surgery.
That's an awful lot of uncertainty for a line with a massive responsibility: Keeping Peyton Manning off his back.
The Broncos were using a guard, Manny Ramirez, to snap Manning the ball Sunday. The team added journeyman Steve Vallos to the mix after Koppen went down. This is not how John Elway drew it up this spring.
Some other plotlines from the day that was in the NFL ...
And then there were two ...
Jonathan Cooper and the Arizona Cardinals settled their differences Sunday. The seventh overall draft pick agreed to a four-year, 14.55 million contract, fully guaranteed with offset language. With Cooper under contract, Dee Milliner (New York Jets) and Chance Warmack (Tennessee Titans) are the only remaining holdouts among the first-round picks.
Rex in the spin zone
Jets coach Rex Ryandownplayed comments from general manager John Idzik, who said he would have a big voice in deciding if Mark Sanchez or Geno Smith would be the team's starting quarterback. Ryan has been vocal in the past that he alone makes quarterback decisions, but he changed his tune Sunday.
"I think the big thing is, you guys are making a mountain out of a molehill, to be honest with you," Ryan said. "Because ever since I've been here -- this is my fifth year here -- not one decision has been made by one man. Not one decision. It's always a group effort on what is best for this team."
It's sad seeing Rex like this. Where's the fire? The swagger? We miss that guy, not this limping dog in need of mercy.
File under 'Things that actually happened'
Bruce Arians had Carson Palmer running the read option at Cardinals camp. And it wasn't even by accident.
The Ravens move on
Ozzie Newsome knows nobody feels sorry for the defending Super Bowl champions. On the same day we learned for sure that Dennis Pitta's season is over, the Ravens signed veteran tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. Expect more moves to come.
Injuries, injuries, injuries
Some players to keep an eye on ...
» San Francisco 49ers linebacker Darius Fleming appeared to sustain a severe left knee injury in practice Sunday. Fleming missed all of last season with a torn ACL in the same knee. He was competing for a reserve role at inside linebacker.
» Miami Dolphins wide receiver Armon Binns is done for the season after tearing his ACL and medial collateral ligament, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported, via a person informed of the injury. It's a brutal setback for Binns, who had a shot at being Miami's fourth receiver.
» Buffalo Bills linebacker Mario Williams was held out of practice with a sore foot.
»Dwayne Bowepracticed with the Kansas City Chiefs after missing time with a chest virus. The wide receiver put himself at 90 percent physically.
» Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant sat out his second straight team practice with hip soreness. He did take part in individual drills. Jason Garrett likely is just taking precautions.
» New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks sat out practice with tightness in his groin. He'll have to prove he can stay healthy to get the contract he wants.
»Cardinals running back Ryan Williamssat out practice with ice on his right knee. Guard Daryn Colledge left practice early with a lower leg injury.
» Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jacoby Ford -- no stranger to the injury blotter -- was unable to finish practice. We're not sure why.
»Chris Ivory still isn't practicing for the Jets. The running back is dealing with a hamstring issue.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @DanHanzus.
