Broncos suffer costly injuries

Injuries to running back Mike Anderson and defensive tackle Luther Elliss could force the Denver Broncos to shuffle things on both sides of the ball.

Anderson suffered what appeared to be a serious left groin injury with less than two minutes left in Friday’s exhibition game against Houston. Elliss injured his right shoulder in the first quarter and didn’t return. The Broncos did not release any medical updates Saturday.

Anderson could miss a lot of time — he was helped off the field and was on crutches in the locker room — which would create a few voids for the Broncos. He was Denver’s No.2 tailback, was a candidate to be the Broncos’ primary ballcarrier near the goal line, a backup fullback and a special-teams contributor. Anderson went down while covering a punt after he was pushed from the side and stepped awkwardly on his way downfield.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Anderson was only in the game because his backup on the punt team was out. So Anderson played and suffered a costly injury.

“It was a little bit of a freak accident,” Shanahan said.

Anderson’s injury might get more attention, but Elliss’ injury could potentially hurt the Broncos as much because they aren’t as strong at defensive tackle as they are at running back. Elliss was the only lock to start at defensive tackle through training camp.

Bennett questionable for opener

Minnesota Vikings running back Michael Bennett will miss one to three weeks after spraining his right knee in Friday’s exhibition win over San Francisco.

Bennett, injured in the third quarter on a low hit by 49ers safety Erik Totten, underwent an MRI exam Saturday that revealed more damage than originally diagnosed. He won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale at Seattle and is questionable for Minnesota’s season opener Sept. 12 against Dallas.

Rams place Turley, Lloyd on injured reserve

Starting right tackle Kyle Turley and linebacker Jeremy Lloyd will miss the season after being placed on injured reserve Saturday by the St. Louis Rams.

Turley reinjured his surgically repaired back in late July and left training camp Aug. 1. Rams coach Mike Martz previously said it would take weeks to know Turley’s prognosis.

His loss is the latest in a series of offensive line problem for the Rams, who are without star left tackle Orlando Pace, who is holding out. Backup tackle Grant Williams has been bothered by an ankle injury and St. Louis cut center Dave Wohlabaugh because of a hip injury.