With starting strong safety Kareem Jackson suspended, the Denver Broncos plan to start first-year defensive back Trey Marshall across from free safety Justin Simmons in the final two games of the season, coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday.
“We haven’t seen Trey play a lot of defense since preseason, but he gets reps in practice and we’re confident he can go out there and do his job,” Fangio said.
Marshall has played primarily on special teams this season but he has gotten some rotational reps on defense and has totaled nine tackles.
There had been some speculation that Will Parks might fill in for Jackson but Denver plans to keep Parks at nickelback. Parks has been playing through a hand injury and still performing well.
“He’s overall giving us good play for the most part and he’s playing with an injured hand where he has to wear a cast,” Fangio said. “That hinders him somewhat, but overall he’s done a good job.”
With Marshall at safety and Parks at nickelback, cornerback Duke Dawson will be called on in dime situations to serve as a sixth defensive back.
