Broncos Notebook: Chris Kuper to be a game-time decision

Denver's offensive line is in a state of flux, with Chris Kuper's status up in the air and Dan Koppen preparing to make his first Broncos start.

Right guard Chris Kuper practiced Wednesday. Whether he plays in New England is a matter that will be decided later. (Andrew Mason)

With center J.D. Walton out for the season and RG Chris Kuper still being worked back up to full speed after missing six weeks of practice with a fractured forearm, the Broncos could face the Patriots with only 40 percent of the offensive line they intended to have when training camp began.

Kuper will be a "game-time decision," Broncos coach John Fox said, but his recovery from a fractured leg and torn ankle ligaments suffered on Jan. 1 is at least as central to his prognosis as his forearm injury. During training camp, the Broncos slowly eased Kuper back up to speed, and held him out of the preseason opener at Chicago on Aug. 9.

The seven-year veteran was still only working approximately half the first-team snaps in training camp before he broke his arm.

"He missed a lot of time playing football but he looked good last week and he looks even better this week," Fox said.

Kuper's replacement at right guard has been Manny Ramirez, and he enjoyed a much smoother game against the Raiders on Sept. 30 than seven days earlier against Houston, when he allowed 2.5 sacks to Texans DE J.J. Watt.

Walton was replaced by ex-Patriots C Dan Koppen in the second half of the 37-6 win over the Raiders and appeared to be back in form after missing the last 15 games of 2011 because of a fractured ankle, which eventually led to the Patriots' decision to cut him Aug. 31.

When the Broncos signed Koppen on Sept. 11, speculation arose that he was brought in to push or supplant Walton. Fox denied that Wednesday.

"At no point were we thinking he’d be lining up as the starting center as we head into Foxborough this weekend," Fox said.

Added Manning: "Dan has played in every game situation that you could think of, there's nothing that he has not seen on defense -- except his own team he's playing against this Sunday in a real game -- but he's seen them every day in practice. But his veteran experience it does show in practice and thankfully he is on our team."

Other injury notes: LB Nate Irving was limited Wednesday as he continues to recover from a concussion suffered Sept. 23. … WR Matt Willis practiced fully after missing Sunday because of a left hamstring strain.

For up-to-the-minute Broncos updates, follow Andrew Mason on Twitter at @CBSBroncos and @MaseDenver.