Denver's Siemian To Start Tonight Against Chargers

By ESPN

Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian will start Thursday night's game against the San Diego Chargers after missing last week with a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury, a team official told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Siemian had been expected to start this week after he was held out of Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

"I think I'm expecting to play," he said Tuesday.

Siemian suffered a bruised AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder just before halftime of the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was held out of practice one day last week and then threw on a limited basis Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the Broncos made the decision to rule him out.

Rookie Paxton Lynch replaced Siemian against the Falcons and was 23-of-35 passing for 223 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a choppy outing. Lynch was also sacked six times by the Falcons, who had four sacks in their first four games combined.

In his last full game, Siemian threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns in the Broncos' Week 3 win at Cincinnati.

Kaepernick, 49ers Sign Contract

The San Francisco 49ers and Colin Kaepernick have signed a restructuring of the quarterback's contract, wiping out the final four years and turning it into a two-year deal with a player option for the second year, sources told ESPN.

The monetary value of the deal for this year remains the same, with the second year, should Kaepernick choose to stay, carrying a $16.5 million salary.

The 49ers confirmed that they had reworked the quarterback's contract but did not announce any additional details.

Sources told ESPN that Kaepernick can void the deal after this season, before the new league year begins in March, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent if he chooses. The 49ers will not be allowed to use their franchise tag on him.

If Kaepernick doesn't void the contract -- to either sign elsewhere or work out a new deal with the Niners -- his terms for 2017 are the same: $16.5 million salary, but no guaranteed money.

Given that whether Kaepernick is on the roster is ultimately up to him, his 46-man roster bonuses are converted into guaranteed salary. A playing-time bonus and insurance policy are also part of the restructured deal.

Because the contract was altered this season, the 49ers are not eligible to receive a compensatory pick if Kaepernick signs elsewhere after the season.

Chicago Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler has not been cleared to return from a thumb injury, so Brian Hoyer is expected to make his fourth consecutive start on Sunday against the Jaguars. Two of Hoyer's top targets -- wide receiver Eddie Royal (calf) and tight end Zach Miller (ribs) -- missed practice on Wednesday but should be available in Week 6. The same cannot be said about cornerback Bryce Callahan, who left the Colts game with a hamstring injury. Callahan -- one of the defense's most improved players -- also missed practice on Wednesday, and he is uncertain to face the Jags. That would be a sizable loss for Chicago's secondary. -- Jeff Dickerson

Indianapolis Colts

Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton didn't practice Wednesday due to a hip injury. The Colts are already without receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder). Hilton has had success against the Texans in recent years. He has 21 receptions for 432 yards and four touchdowns in his last three trips to Houston. -- Mike Wells