ESPN.com is reporting that Cincinnati Bengals WR Chris Henry has died from injuries suffered when he fell out of the back of a truck during a domestic dispute with his fiance.  He was 26.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chris Henry died Thursday, one day after suffering injures in a fall from the back of a pickup truck, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said. He was 26.

Police on Wednesday described the incident as a domestic dispute with his fiancée. Henry was found in the road about eight miles north of downtown Charlotte.

While this website focuses on the Broncos, it seems relevant to take notice anytime that something tragic, and senseless, like this happens within the NFL.  We are coming up on a tragic anniversary of our own in a couple weeks, which makes this even more saddening.

Our thoughts go out to Chris Henry's family, friends, the Cincinnati Bengals and their fans as the reality of this tragedy sets in.

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

3 days ago: Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, left, catches a pass over Indianapolis Colts safety Tim Jennings for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Marshall had 21 receptions for 200 yards in the game. The Colts defeated the Broncos 28-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall will be named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for games played during the 14th week (Dec. 10-14) of the 2009 season, the National Football League informed the Broncos on Tuesday.

Marshall's selection as AFC Offensive Player of the Week is the second such award of his four-year NFL career. He also received the honor for his effort in Week 2 of the 2008 season against San Diego.

During Denver's game at Indianapolis on Sunday, Marshall posted an NFL-record 21 receptions for a career-high 200 yards with two touchdowns. His 21 catches surpassed Terrell Owens' previous league record of 20 receptions, which he totaled for San Francisco vs. Chicago on Dec. 17, 2000.

Below are a few notes on Marshall's performance against Indianapolis:

• His NFL-record 21 catches vs. Indianapolis give him two of the top-four single-game receiving totals in NFL history. His 18 grabs (166 yds., 1 TD) vs. San Diego on Sept. 14, 2008, tie for the third-highest single-game total in NFL annals.                                                                                                                                         
• His 21 catches represented his eighth career game with at least 10 receptions, marking the most by a player through his first four seasons in NFL history.
• The former University of Central Florida star was targeted 28 times, which represented the highest such total in the NFL since at least the 1994 season.
• His 12 receiving first downs were the most by an NFL player in four seasons and tied for the fourth-highest total in the league since at least the 1994 season.
• His 200 receiving yards represented the third-highest total by a Bronco in club history and were the highest total by a Denver player in five seasons (Rod Smith, 208 yds., vs. Atl., 10/31/04) as well as the highest total by an AFC player this year.

Marshall is Denver's fifth AFC Player of the Week winner this season, joining cornerback Champ Bailey (Wk. 4 vs. Dallas), quarterback Kyle Orton (Wk. 5 vs. New England), wide receiver/returner Eddie Royal (Wk. 6 at San Diego) and kicker Matt Prater (Wk. 12 vs. N.Y. Giants). He is Denver's 45th AFC Offensive Player of the Week winner since the award was initiated by the NFL in 1984.

More photos » by Ed Andrieski - AP

(AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

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The Broncos lost more than a game in Indianapolis yesterday; they lost a promising rookie for the season as well. 

Broncos HC Josh McDaniels announced during his weekly Monday Presser that Rookie S Darcel McBath was placed on Injured Reserve with a broken arm suffered in the 2nd half against the Colts.  Wasting no time, the team brought back DB Vernon Fox to replace McBath on the 53-man roster.

McBath was playing well - both on Special Teams and on defense whether playing for Brian Dawkins or Renaldo Hill.

On the season, McBath had 2 interceptions to go along with 13 tackles.

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

3 days ago: Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall, left, avoids the tackle of Indianapolis Colts linebacker Gary Brackett in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. Marshall had 21 receptions for 200 yards in the game. The Colts defeated the Broncos 28-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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HC JOSH MCDANIELS

(opening comments)
"Start out with giving credit to the Colts.  They certainly set the bar here in the AFC.  We found out why when you play sixty minutes and make the mistakes we made today it is going to be difficult to beat a winning, top-caliber football team that plays well under pressure.  That team is extremely well coaches, Coach Caldwell and his staff do a great job and I want to give them credit today- they forced us in to making a lot of mistakes in situations that ultimately determined the outcome of the game."

(on whether it was the game plan to throw to WR Brandon Marshall so much)
"It is part of it but not necessarily the game plan to throw it to him that many times.  We knew we'd have our chances to get the ball outside to the receivers.  It just so happened to be Brandon a lot more than usual."

(on costly mistakes)
"You can't set yourself back the way we did today.  We had a few third and short opportunities there and end up with third and six- whether it is a delay or false start.  There was also that big penalty in the two minute offense right before the half that put us with the ball instead of on the fifty on the thirty-five.  You can't give them yards and opportunities because they take advantage of them.  We knew that coming in that they are the best team in football at taking advantage of your mistakes and they did that."

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FINAL

Here are the final numbers.  Talk about the game.  This one stings, to be sure, because the Broncos had their chances - but as this team continues to grow, and tries to get into the playoffs, this is a growth opportunity as well.  The Broncos could have folded, down 21-0 early in the 2nd Quarter, and been embarrassed by the Colts.  They didn't.  They fought for 60 minutes.  The Colts were better, and they won the game. 

Each week we learn a little more about these Broncos, what they are, and what they will become as Josh McDaniels continues to build the roster in his image.  Anyone not like what they see? 

Congrats to Brandon Marshall for breaking Terrell Owens' single-game receptions record with 21 passes caught.  Marshall was a Beast today.  Kyle Orton played well, and the defense was awesome after a slow start.  Too many missed opportunities, however, in short-yardage situations, to go along with sloppy game-management at times was too much to overcome when playing a team like the Colts, a quarterback like Peyton Manning.

Again, I know there is frustration, but I feel good about the BIG PICTURE.

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

3 days ago: Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) goes in for a five-yard touchdown-reception while being defended by Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea (41) and safety Tim Jennings (23) during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Brandon Marshall nearly broke the NFL's single-game catch record last season against San Diego.  That day, Marshall had to settle for a team-record 18 receptions.  He didn't stop short today.  Marshall caught 21 passes, good for 200 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Broncos fell short in Indianapolis 28-16.

The record, while one to be proud of, rings a bit hollow because of the loss; but it is impressive nonetheless.  Marshall now has 86 catches for 1,008 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season.

Start of 4th Quarter

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