Broncos G Chris Kuper is retiring from football. Still only 31 years old, Kuper's career was derailed by two major ankle surgeries, and he was going to be released with a $5 million base salary for 2014. Retiring at a young age should improve Kuper's chances of normal post-football life, whereas continuing to play on bad legs would've been risky. Kuper spent eight seasons in the NFL, appearing in 90 games with 79 career starts.

Broncos agreed to terms with backup RG Chris Kuper on a restructured contract. Coming off two major left ankle surgeries and ticketed for a backup role behind Louis Vasquez, Kuper wasn't going to make the final roster at $4.5 million non-guaranteed. The restructure will net the seven-year veteran $1.05 guaranteed and he can earn another $1.7 million in playing-time bonuses. Kuper is expected to practice for the first time next week.

The Broncos are working on a restructured contract with RG Chris Kuper.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper's Denver future is murky after the $23.5 million addition of Louis Vasquez. The Broncos will likely play Vasquez at right guard, Zane Beadles at left guard, Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady on the tackles, and J.D. Walton at center. Kuper, coming off two left ankle surgeries and owed an untenable $4.5 million base salary, is the obvious odd man out. Kuper turned 30 in December.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper will undergo left ankle/lower leg surgery. Kuper underwent surgery for the same injury last offseason, but this time he's going to visit a different surgeon. Recent X-rays near the end of the regular season revealed a break where the plate that had been holding his fibula together was shattered. Kuper missed the entire 2012 offseason with the same injury, though this one is "less traumatic."

The Broncos are optimistic that RG Chris Kuper (ankle) and LT Ryan Clady (undisclosed) will play versus the Ravens in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Kuper was limited in practice last week after missing nine games in the regular season. Clady sat out practice last week, but it's not believed that his undisclosed "nagging" injury is serious.

Broncos declared RG Chris Kuper, QB Caleb Hanie, CB Tracy Porter, RB Knowshon Moreno, DL Sealver Siliga, DB Duke Ihenacho, and TE Julius Thomas inactive for Week 10 at Carolina. Manny Ramirez will fill in for Kuper. Although Peyton Manning's 10 sacks taken are the second-fewest in the NFL, they have all come in the five games started by Ramirez.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper is out 2-4 weeks with a severe left ankle sprain. "No fracture involved," said coach John Fox. "There will be some rehab." Journeyman Manny Ramirez will replace Kuper at right guard. Ramirez held his own in five starts to open the season, so Denver's offense should be alright.

According to the Denver Post, Broncos RG Chris Kuper sustained a "severe" ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Bengals. X-rays came back negative, but Kuper is still expected to miss some time. He'll have an MRI Monday to determine the exact extent of the sprain. Note that the damage is on his left side, the same ankle he dislocated in the final game of 2011. Look for Manny Ramirez to start against the Panthers in Week 10.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper exited Sunday's Week 9 game with a third-quarter ankle injury and was immediately declared out. Kuper suffered a broken left leg late last season and also broke his arm early in training camp. A warrior, we suspect he would have stayed in this game if the injury weren't so serious. Kuper has been a strong run blocker in 2012.