Dislocated finger and all, Broncos QB Orton remains optimistic he can play in opener Sunday

Orton optimistic he’ll play Sunday at Cincinnati

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton remains optimistic he can play at Cincinnati in the season opener despite a dislocated right index finger.

Orton is wearing a glove on his throwing hand at practice this week but he’d rather do without it on game day. He said he’s never worn a glove, even in the winter while he was playing for the Chicago Bears.

Orton’s knuckle poked through the skin when he was hurt in the Broncos’ third preseason game against Chicago on Aug. 30.

Backup quarterback Chris Simms would get the start if Orton can’t go. Simms recently returned to practice after spraining his left ankle in a preseason game.