Aussie big man harnessed to beef up NFL Broncos

THE Denver Broncos will rely heavily on Australian giant Adam Gotsis in their NFL regular season opener after the team’s defensive line was savaged by injury.

Melbourne-born Gotsis, who stands 193cm tall and weighs 130kg, is expected to start as a defensive end and get plenty of game time against the Los Angeles Chargers in Denver on Monday night (12.20pm tomorrow AEST).

Broncos’ head coach Vance Joseph confirmed yesterday that injuries had ruled out two of his other defensive ends, Zach Kerr and Jared Crick.

Joseph said he expected Gotsis, who is in just his second year in the NFL, and thirdyear defensive end Shelby Harris would continue their impressive pre-season form.

“That’s why they’re here,” Joseph said.

“Gotsis is a second-round pick and he’s a guy with a bright future.

“Shelby Harris had a hell of a camp.

“What they did in pre-season, I expect them to do on Monday night.”

Australia’s three other NFL players, all punters, will open their 2017 seasons today.

Lachlan Edwards’s New York Jets play the Buffalo Bills at 3am AEDT, Jordan Berry’s Pittsburgh Steelers face the Cleveland Browns, also at 3am, and Brad Wing’s New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys at 10.30am.

A pall is surrounding the start of the 2017 season as Hur- ricane Irma, which was threatening the state of Florida, has caused the postponement of the Miami Dolphins’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The match has been moved to Week 11 when both clubs were due to have a bye.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans are planning to host the Jacksonville Jaguars despite the Houston area still trying to recover from Hurricane Harvey. AAP