After missing practice on Thursday, Denver Broncos starting safety Brian Dawkins (neck) and wide receiver Eric Decker (knee) are both expected to miss Saturday's playoff game against the New England Patriots. According to the The Denver Post, Dumervil (ankle), tight end Daniel Fells(ankle) and safety David Bruton (achilles) are all expected to be available to the team on gameday despite also being listed on the injury report this week.

For Dawkins, a 16-year NFL veteran, this might be the last chance he gets to compete in the NFL Playoffs, so missing the game would be a sad way to close out the season and perhaps a career. The significance is not lost on Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil:

"We want him on the field, but (Dawkins) can help this team for games like these. This is why he came back (this year), he wanted to be here to get this team back in the playoffs."

via The Denver Post.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more on this game, visit Broncos blog Mile High Report and Patriots blog Pats Pulpit. Head over to SB Nation NFL for more coverage of the 2012 NFL Playoffs.