Broncos Notebook: CB depth compromised by injury to Chris Harris

With the Atlanta Falcons and their diversified, emerging aerial attack looming for Monday night, the Broncos could use all available hands at cornerback to try and stop Roddy White, Julio Jones, Harry Douglas and Tony Gonzalez.

But for a second consecutive day, nickelback Chris Harris did not practice because of an ankle injury. As recently as Tuesday, he was seen in the locker room in a walking boot. The boot was gone by Friday, but he was not deemed healthy enough for practice, as questions linger.

"Can I run full speed? Can I cut and make breaks? It's a day-by-day thing," Harris said.

But the second-year cornerback believed he would be ready for Monday in spite of the time lost.

"I feel way better," said Harris. "I recover pretty fast. We have a great training staff. They'll get me ready."

One of his fellow second-year defensive backs was equally optimistic.

"Everything he does, he goes hard. If he plays this week, which I think he will, it's going to be a great attribute," safety Rahim Moore said.

If Harris can't play, Tony Carter would step up to the nickelback role. Carter has been off and on the Broncos' roster since 2009, and it was a surprise to some that he made the roster as their fourth cornerback ahead of veteran Drayton Florence, who was released in spite of a $1.5 million signing bonus and eventually landed with the Lions.

"He understands what he's great at, and I think that's part of maturing when you're a pro, is knowing your strengths and knowing your weaknesses," Broncos CB Champ Bailey said of Carter.

Carter has long been known for his speed above all else; he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds at his pro day three years ago. But the speed has never translated to consistent play, and he has bounced around the league, being waived four times since 2009 -- including twice by the Broncos.

During those years, Carter played in just 10 games -- including two for the Broncos in last year's postseason.

"You see his speed, you see how quick he is. Now it's showing up because he understands how to play the game now," Bailey said.

INJURY NOTES: Joining Harris out of practice Friday was RG Chris Kuper (forearm), who isn't expected back until at least next week. WR Demaryius Thomas (shoulder) and G/C Manny Ramirez (elbow) were both listed on the injury report, but practiced fully.

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