Bell knows the offense but will take some time to get back in football shape. He can probably contribute some right away but it would be tough to ask him to carry a full load. Most likely, Bell will spell Peyton Hillis at tailback.

PLAYER NOTES

-- RB Tatum Bell was praised by Broncos coach Mike Shanahan for being in good football shape after Bell's second day of practice this week. Bell, who was signed Tuesday, is likely to play Sunday against Atlanta.

-- WR Chad Jackson made enough of an impression on the team since he was picked up that when Denver needed a roster spot they released receiver Glenn Martinez, who can return punts. Jackson is a former second-round pick.

--RB Peyton Hillis thinks as he gets more practice repetitions at tailback, he'll improve at the position. He was recruited out of high school as a tailback before settling in as a fullback at Arkansas, so he has a little bit of experience at the position. He should get first crack at the tailback job, which is wide open because of injuries.

--CB Josh Bell has done well as Denver's nickel cornerback the past couple of games. Bell is a rookie who was on the practice squad, but was promoted right to the nickel spot when he was signed to the active roster.

--LB Jamie Winborn is having a solid season for the Broncos and is coming off a 12-tackle game against Cleveland. He will be a starter the rest of the year if he stays healthy, and should have a chance to put up good tackle numbers the rest of the way.

--DE Ebenezer Ekuban leads the Broncos with four sacks. His comeback from an Achilles tendon injury last season has been great for the Broncos defense, which not only needed his contributions on the field, but his leadership off of it.

--RB Alex Haynes could be looked at as more of a fullback than tailback with Tatum Bell in the mix. Haynes can play both. The Broncos said they would look at him as a tailback, but with normal fullback Peyton Hillis expected to play tailback they need some fullback depth as well.

GAME PLAN: The Broncos have to establish something in the running game, despite all their injuries at tailback. The Falcons are a powerful, ball-control team, and the Broncos can't let Atlanta have a huge edge in time of possession. Denver will spent plenty of time spreading the field and letting Jay Cutler carry the offense, but they need to keep Atlanta's defense honest.

Defensively, the Broncos have to take away the run and hope quarterback Matt Ryan makes some mistakes. The Falcons are one of the best running teams in the NFL, which isn't a good matchup for the Broncos and their injury-ravaged defense. The Broncos will likely be without five defensive starters on Sunday.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Broncos linebackers vs. Falcons running game. The Broncos will be without all three normal starting linebackers against the Falcons. That will be quite a challenge for the backups, who have to hold up against the Falcons' power running game, led by running back Michael Turner.

Broncos receivers vs. Falcons CB Domonique Foxworth. The Broncos traded Foxworth to Atlanta after he was falling down the depth chart at the end of preseason, and he has emerged as a starter with the Falcons. The Broncos know Foxworth's tendencies and are likely to take a couple of shots his way during Sunday's game.

INJURY IMPACT:

--CB Champ Bailey looks like he is getting close to returning to the lineup.

Bailey has been out for three weeks since injuring his groin against New England on Oct. 20. He was supposed to be out four-to-six weeks, but returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday.

"I'm not exactly where I want to be but I'm making great progress," Bailey said.

-- TE Tony Scheffler said he isn't fully healed from a groin injury that kept him out a few weeks. He has practiced in full all week and had 92 yards in limited snaps last week at Cleveland, so he can still be a productive target while he plays through discomfort.

-- RB Selvin Young missed another day of practice Thursday. He is very unlikely to play this week, and might not be ready to return next week either.

--LB Nate Webster will not play this week as he continues to rehabilitate his knee injury. Webster could miss another week or two.

--LB D.J. Williams was ruled out of this week's game with a knee injury. He is scheduled to miss a couple more games before returning.

--S Marlon McCree is out this week with a high ankle sprain.