In perhaps the most anticipated game of Week 7, the Denver Broncos will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football. The 49ers will be without two key starters and the Broncos will be missing one of their own.
Broncos' quarterback Peyton Manning will head into Sunday night's matchup only needing three touchdown passes to break Brett Favre's all-time record. But starting running back Montee Ball won't be available for the second straight week due to a groin injury. They'll keep going with Ronnie Hillman as their No. 1 back, who has 41 carries for 166 yards on the season.
But that's the only issue for Denver tonight. The rest of those on the team's injury report are listed as probable, including cornerback Omar Bolden (groin), safety David Bruton (ankle), cornerback Chris Harris (knee), kicker Brandon McManus (groin), linebacker Corey Nelson (hamstring) and running back Juwan Thompson (knee).
As for the 49ers, they have some bigger problems. Defensive captain Patrick Willis will miss tonight's game because of a toe injury he suffered last Monday Night against the St. Louis Rams. He was still wearing a walking boot on Friday and the 49ers ruled him out later that day. Starting guard Mike Iupati also won't be suiting up for San Francisco because of a concussion he suffered in Monday night's game. Rookie third-round pick Chris Borland will start in place of Willis and third-year guard Joe Looney will replace Iupati.
And that's not all. A number of starters are also listed as questionable for San Francisco, including cornerbacks Chris Culliver (shoulder) and Tramaine Brock (toe) as well as right tackle Anthony Davis (knee). Backup safety Jimmie Ward joins that list with a quadriceps injury. Culliver did not practice on Friday and Ward missed the entire week. This is bad news because Peyton Manning could have a field day with a thin and injured 49ers secondary.
Cornerbacks Perrish Cox (quad) and Chris Cook (quad), tight end Vernon Davis (back), defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie (shoulder), wide receiver Stevie Johnson (hip), defensive end Justin Smith (not injury related) and defensive tackle Ian Williams (ankle) are all listed as probable and are expected to play.
Tune in to NBC tonight at 8:30 for Week 7's Sunday Night Football matchup between the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers.