Denver Broncos

Broncos have a willing and able replacement for T.J. Ward

Published Sep. 8, 2015 11:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

David Bruton Jr., who went from bubble player to Week 1 starter in an instant.

Suspended star T.J. Ward won't play in the Broncos' season opener. So, Bruton Jr. steps right in at strong safety -- just a few days after learning he kept his place on the final 53-man roster.

“I'm expecting to go out there and take full advantage of my opportunity," Bruton told ESPN's Jeff Legwold. “It's unfortunate what happened with T.J. but the way this business is, it's next man up. For the next week, I'm the next man up."

Besides injured tackle Ryan Clady, Bruton Jr. the only member of the team's 2009 draft class who's still around. The Broncos just can't seem to shake him -- he plays both safety spots and stars in sub-package work.

New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was a fan before the news broke on Ward. Now, he'll be more than happy to plug Bruton Jr. at a moment's notice -- and that's when the safety thinks he's at his best.

"I've been in this game long enough to understand that it's important to always be ready," said Bruton Jr, "because you never know when your number's going to be called."

(h/t ESPN)