Keith Brooking to start in place of suspended Joe Mays

Denver Broncos linebacker Keith Brooking will start in place of Joe Mays, according to Andrew Mason of CBSSports.com. Mays was suspended on Wednesday by the NFL for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Matt Schaub in Denver's loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Schaub, who suffered an ear injury due to the hit, was able to finish the game. Mays was suspended for one game and fined $50,000 for the hit.

Nate Irving, who would normally have started for Mays, suffered a concussion on Sunday and will not be available this week against the Raiders.

Brooking is in his first season with the Broncos, playing three years with the Dallas Cowboys after beginning his career in 1998 with the Atlanta Falcons. In two games with the Broncos this season, Brooking has eight tackles with one forced fumble.

The Broncos take on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, with kickoff set for 2:05 p.m. MT.