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The Denver Broncos got a team captain back Wednesday when guard Chris Kuper returned to the practice field for the first time since fracturing his forearm on Aug. 14, according to the team's website.
Lindsay Jones of the Denver Post doesn't believe that Kuper will be ready for the Broncos' Sunday matchup against the Oakland Raiders but the fact that he was in full pads is a very good news.
Additionally, head coach John Fox said that he hadn't seen Kuper "smile that big in a while" considering he missed the Broncos final three games of 2011 with a dislocated ankle before this injury occurred in training camp.
Jones also reported that Kuper declined an interview saying he would wait to address the media till after he returned to game action for the first time.
Manny Ramirez will slide back to a reserve role when Kuper is ready to retake his right guard position.