The Denver Broncos (8-7) may be without their top safety, Brian Dawkins, in Sunday’s contest against the Kansas City Chiefs (6-9). According to Lindsay H. Jones of the Denver Post, the Broncos’ veteran defensive back missed practice on Friday, further decreasing the likelihood of his ability to start in Sunday’s Week 17 season finale.

The former Philadelphia Eagles safety has played in all but one game, the Rams’ Week 15 loss to the New England Patriots. Dawkins is third on the Broncos’ defense with 7 pass deflections, sporting also 51 tackles and 3.0 sacks.

If Dawkins is unavailable come Sunday, the Broncos will start David Bruton, who is also struggling with an Achilles injury. Bruton, a third year pro out of Notre Dame, has 14 tackles and 3 pass deflections in 2011.

For more on this Week 17 game, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report and Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride. Be sure to check out SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.