PRO FOOTBALL REPORT : WEEKDAY UPDATE : CHARGERS : Elway’s Status Still Unclear

Broncos’ trainer Steve Antonopulos told the Denver media Tuesday that quarterback John Elway’s condition had improved, but he was unsure if Elway would be able to practice today.

The Broncos indicated Elway will be listed as either questionable or doubtful on today’s injury report. Elway, however, has told reporters he will play Sunday.

Elway suffered a strained arch and injured a big toe (turf toe) in Sunday’s 27-22 loss at Minnesota.

Gary Kubiak, an eighth-round draft pick the same year Elway joined the Broncos (1983), was six of 14 for 71 yards with three interceptions. Kubiak is 3-2 as a starter for the Broncos during his eight-year career.

“He’s gone in the past and done a pretty good job for them,” Charger coach Dan Henning said. “Last year we played pretty good against him.”

The Broncos finished the regular-season in San Diego last year, and since they had already clinched the playoffs, Kubiak came on in the first half to give Elway a rest. He completed 12 of 17 for 97 yards with an interception in the Broncos’ 19-16 defeat to the Chargers.

The Broncos went to the Super Bowl in three of the past four seasons, but are 3-5 at the halfway mark of the season.

“The Broncos have run into a little bit of the problem the Rams have had,” Henning said. “They’re playing with people they didn’t expect to be playing with in a couple of places. It’s just like in the game Sunday, they’re up 16-0 and their quarterback gets hurt. And they got to go with a backup guy, and the Vikings come back on them.

“I don’t think any team can sustain a high level of play with injuries to starters at key spots. And they’ve had those, and that’s caused them to be a little bit up and down.”

Henning went on to tell a group of reporters, “You see with you guys, you look at us and we get a guy injured, and you don’t think too much of it. Because it doesn’t look like we have any key people.”

General Manager Bobby Beathard said Tuesday the club would release guard Chris Goetz.

Goetz, the team’s ninth-round draft choice and defensive lineman Burt Grossman’s roommate at Pittsburgh, has been on injured reserve with an elbow injury.