Professor

The Denver Post - Shanny pushes WR into action

excerpt:

Mike Shanahan told Brandon Marshall it was time to finally practice Friday morning.

Marshall reluctantly went along with the plan. After finally testing his injured quadriceps, Marshall was pleased his coach took the initiative.

"I was scared, but that's what it takes. Coach has about 30 years of experience," Marshall said after practicing in the morning session Friday. "This is my second year so of course I've got to sit back and listen and go with the process.

"Basically he just challenged me to see if I was mentally strong. I mean he knew that I was in pain and it hurts, but he also knows

it's one of those things where you have to get out there, push yourself, and just be mentally tough. I challenged myself. If it was up to me I wouldn't have gone, but coach got me out there."

Marshall was taken off the physically unable to perform list Friday morning after spending the first 12 days of training camp on it. The team initially thought Marshall would practice a portion of the morning session but he made it all the way through both the morning and afternoon practices.

Marshall, set to be the No. 2 receiver if he can stay healthy, will likely play in the second preseason game, Aug. 18 at Dallas. The decision to get Marshall back on the field came after an MRI showed he simply had scar tissue and that his injury was healing well.

"I told him this morning that he had to work through it," Shanahan said. "He did it today and I think early in practice he could feel the pain, but he worked through it and I think he feels better right now and that is part of the process."

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