ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- On Wednesday, the last day of summer, it looked very much as though the optimism Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak had during camp about a settled, consistent look for the offensive line would be left behind with the changing season.
Because while Kubiak had often expressed his excitement at the idea of working one group of starters together over the long haul of the season, the "streak" of starting the same lineup will almost certainly end at two games. Right tackle Donald Stephenson, the first free agent the Broncos signed this offseason and a most welcome addition to the front, is not expected to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a calf injury.