Injured Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton again missed practice on Friday, leaving backup Chris Simms to take repetitions with the starting team for the third day in a row.

Coach Josh McDaniels said Orton, who remains listed as questionable with a sprained left ankle, still has a chance to play but his availability won't be determined until game-day. He said Orton will be evaluated after going through a workout prior to Sunday's game.

The last time Orton tried to come back from a sprained ankle too early, things didn’t work out, but that was back in Chicago, and this one isn’t his plant leg. I don’t think this hurts the Chargers at all, because the preparation will be the same for both quarterbacks, because, well, you don’t really have to prepare for underthrown ducks.

I don’t think this means Orton won’t play, because this is a huge game, and he doesn’t necessarily need to practice all week to be ready to go at this point in the season. One thing is for sure, though, and that is Orton will not be at his best, and that will only make things easier for the Chargers defense.

Should Simms get the nod, he would be making his first start since September 2006, when he suffered a life-threatening spleen injury while with Tampa Bay. He had a tough time playing the second half last week in relief of the injured Orton, completing 3 of 13 passes for 13 yards and an interception in a loss at Washington. If needed, he should at least be better prepared this time around since he's gotten pretty much all the practice repetitions this week.

--- CLAY SPIEGEL.