Former OU Sooner Tight End Stephen Alexander Signs Contract

Monday, September 17th 2007, 8:16 pm

By: News On 6

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) _ Tight end Stephen Alexander re-signed with the Denver Broncos on Monday, 48 hours after he was released so the team could have a healthy lineman available for its game against Oakland.

Alexander, a 10-year veteran, has battled a calf injury in recent weeks and was unavailable to face the Raiders. He told coach Mike Shanahan to go ahead and cut him before the game so that the Broncos could sign Chad Mustard, a tight end who has played tackle exclusively since early in camp.

Mustard was released again Monday when Alexander was re-signed.

``We bring Chad in for one day, for game day,'' Shanahan said of Mustard, who has been cut three times by the Broncos this month but keeps earning paychecks from them anyway. ``He's a great guy. To be able to play him at tight end and offensive line, it gives us a little depth, especially with Stephen Alexander being hurt. Hopefully nobody signs him.''

Mustard also was re-signed two weeks ago to be in uniform for the opener only to be released last week when the Broncos signed linebacker Jamie Winborn.

Alexander, in his third year with the Broncos, was deactivated for the opener at Buffalo. Although he was waived Saturday, he was at the game and in the locker room afterward. He said he expects to be able to play Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Shanahan said rookie tackle Ryan Harris should return to practice next week. Harris had back surgery during training camp. And guard Ben Hamilton, who has been sidelined with a concussion since the first week of preseason practice, was scheduled to revisit with specialists in Pittsburgh this week to gauge his progress.

Hamilton keeps getting nauseated whenever he does cardiovascular work. The Broncos shut him down three weeks ago and doctors advised him to stay home all of last week.