Despite problems with their running game, the Broncos won't use Tim Tebow in short-yardage situations. "We're not going to do that in short yardage," Josh McDaniels said. "People who mention that, I don't know, that's ridiculous." Tebow has not played since taking two snaps and rushing for 2 yards against Jacksonville on Sept. 12. The Broncos haven't discarded the "Tebow Package" pages from the playbook, but McDaniels appears to have no plans to use Tebow in place of a tailback. "Snapping the ball to a shotgun quarterback on third-and-1? If we can't get a third-and-1 some other way, we've got bigger problems," McDaniels said.

Tim Tebow was the No. 3 quarterback for the Denver Broncos' game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Brady Quinn jumped ahead of Tebow on Denver's depth chart.

Giants cornerback D.J. Johnson doesn't necessarily believe the police version that friend and former teammate Kenny McKinley committed suicide this week. Johnson, a second-year backup who spent time with McKinley on the Broncos' practice squad last season, outlined a murky conspiracy theory on Friday when asked about McKinley's death. "Something fishy went down there," Johnson said without providing any details. "I don't think it happened the way they're saying it happened. Somebody did something to him." Johnson told The Post he thinks McKinley might have been murdered because of what he described as a dangerous climate for pro athletes in Denver.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley was found dead in his apartment Monday in an apparent suicide. Authorities were called to McKinley's apartment in Centennial at 3:35 p.m. local time and found his body in the second-floor master bedroom. He said detectives believe McKinley, 23, was killed by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. McKinley's death is the latest in a series for tragedies for the Broncos in recent years. Cornerback Darrent Williams was slain in a drive-by shooting on New Year's Day 2007 and three months later backup running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game in St. Louis. "Everyone with the Broncos is shocked and saddened by the loss of Kenny McKinley," team owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. "He was part of the Broncos' family and will be greatly missed by our organization. My most heartfelt condolences go out to Kenny's family and friends."

The Patriots have traded running back Laurence Maroney to the Broncos, according to multiple sources. New England will receive a fourth-round pick in 2011 while pairing Maroney with a sixth-round selection. Maroney, who was limited by a thigh injury of late, was inactive for the team's season-opening win.

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels says he's not planning to use rookie quarterback Tim Tebow much differently than he did on Sunday against the Jaguars. Tebow was on the field for just three snaps in his debut and McDaniels says he won't replace Orton, who was also on the field for Tebow's appearances. "I don't think I have any desire to do that with Kyle coming off the field, coming on the field, coming off," McDaniels said. "I don't think that's really something that we're looking to do much of. Like I said yesterday after the game, I think our quarterback played pretty well. I think he will play well. [I have] great confidence in his ability to execute what we're doing."

Broncos backup quarterback Tim Tebow rushed for two yards on two carries in his first regular-season NFL game on Sunday against the Jaguars. Tebow is Denver's No. 2 quarterback after supplanting Brady Quinn to play behind Kyle Orton during the preseason. He rushed once in the first quarter and then again in the second. Tebow lined up as a receiver in the first half as well.

A woman has filed a restraining order against former NFL player Shannon Sharpe in Fulton County (Georgia) Superior Court. Michele Bundy filed the request on Thursday, according to court records. Sharpe currently works as a television analyst for CBS.

The Broncos will use rookie quarterback Tim Tebow as their No. 2 behind starter Kyle Orton, according to sources. Tebow has also been told that he will play on Sunday against the Jaguars. Denver has a package of plays that they have installed for Tebow to use in front of the Jacksonville crowd he grew up around.

The Broncos and cornerback Champ Bailey are discussing a four-year contract extension. "With respect to the process between our organization and Jack Reale (Bailey's agent), we'd rather keep things private," Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said. "We acknowledge we're in talks." The deal would put the Pro Bowler under contract through the 2014 season.