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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, August 7, 2002

Lelie returns to Broncos' practice

By John Marshall
Associated Press

GREELEY, Colo. — Denver Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie returned to practice yesterday after missing a week of training camp with a strained hamstring.

Lelie, the Broncos' first-round draft pick out of Hawai'i, ran nearly full speed in most of the drills and said he didn't feel any pain. He said he expects to play when the Broncos open the preseason Saturday against Chicago.

"I'm about 90 percent," Lelie said. "I feel good, but I've just got to kind of conserve myself on some things and know my limits and not overstride sometimes."

Lelie had a good minicamp in June and had impressed the coaching staff in camp before straining his right hamstring July 29. Even though he missed a week of camp, Lelie was still listed as the second receiver behind Rod Smith when the depth chart came out on Monday.

In his first practice back, Lelie didn't look like he had lost much ground.

"I told him not to come back unless he could go full speed, but guys always come back a little bit early," said coach Mike Shanahan. "I would have to take a look at film to make sure. When guys come back we want them to practice and not go three-quarter speed because you can't compete at three-quarters speed."

The return of Lelie came at a good time for the Broncos.

The team announced before practice that Rob Moore, who signed with Denver in the offseason, had been released.

Moore, who was plagued by injuries the past two seasons with Arizona, was listed as the fourth receiver on the depth chart.

He had been limited to one practice per day because of swelling in his knee and a sore groin.