(Sports Network) - Fans will show up at Invesco Field at Mile High hoping to get a glimpse of Tim Tebow on Saturday night, when the Denver Broncos welcome the Detroit Lions to town in the second August tune-up for each team.
Tebow, the Broncos' 2010 first-round quarterback choice, was expected to make his live Denver debut against the Lions. But a wrench was thrown into those plans in last week's 33-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, when the former Florida star suffered injured ribs on a touchdown run that have limited him in practice this week.
Tebow completed 8-of-13 passes for 105 yards in Cincinnati, though his biggest highlight came on the seven-yard scoring run in the closing seconds.
Kyle Orton (8-of-13, 84 yards, 2 TD) will start the game for the Broncos, and another Denver newcomer, Brady Quinn (6-of-16, 68 yards, 1 INT), should play as well after struggling in Cincinnati.
In addition to Tebow, the Broncos are contending with injuries to notables such as running backs Knowshon Moreno (hamstring), LenDale White (leg), Correll Buckhalter (neck), and first-round wideout Demaryius Thomas (foot).
With the spate of running back injuries, recently-signed ex-Raider Justin Fargas could be in line for a wealth of carries on Saturday.
The Lions, meanwhile, will be looking for a more consistent effort after opening the preseason with a 23-7 loss at the Steelers last week.
There were encouraging signs from the Detroit first-string, including quarterback Matthew Stafford (8-of-11, 61 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) - who threw a touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson - and from rookie running back Jahvid Best (6 rushes, 29 yards).
Three Lions newcomers - recently-acquired defensive end Lawrence Jackson (ex- Seahawks), cornerback T.J. Rushing (ex-Colts), and kicker Steven Hauschka (ex- Ravens and Falcons) - could all be in uniform for Detroit on Saturday.
The all-time preseason series between the Lions and Broncos is knotted, 2-2, with Detroit evening the series by virtue of a 20-13 home victory in the last such meeting, prior to the 2006 season.
The most recent meaningful matchup between the teams took place during the 2007 regular season, a 44-7 Lions rout at Ford Field.