Broncos G Chris Kuper is retiring from football.

Still only 31 years old, Kuper's career was derailed by two major ankle surgeries, and he was going to be released with a $5 million base salary for 2014. Retiring at a young age should improve Kuper's chances of normal post-football life, whereas continuing to play on bad legs would've been risky. Kuper spent eight seasons in the NFL, appearing in 90 games with 79 career starts.

Broncos agreed to terms with backup RG Chris Kuper on a restructured contract.

Coming off two major left ankle surgeries and ticketed for a backup role behind Louis Vasquez, Kuper wasn't going to make the final roster at $4.5 million non-guaranteed. The restructure will net the seven-year veteran $1.05 guaranteed and he can earn another $1.7 million in playing-time bonuses. Kuper is expected to practice for the first time next week.

The Broncos are working on a restructured contract with RG Chris Kuper.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper's Denver future is murky after the $23.5 million addition of Louis Vasquez.

The Broncos will likely play Vasquez at right guard, Zane Beadles at left guard, Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady on the tackles, and J.D. Walton at center. Kuper, coming off two left ankle surgeries and owed an untenable $4.5 million base salary, is the obvious odd man out. Kuper turned 30 in December.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper will undergo left ankle/lower leg surgery.

Kuper underwent surgery for the same injury last offseason, but this time he's going to visit a different surgeon. Recent X-rays near the end of the regular season revealed a break where the plate that had been holding his fibula together was shattered. Kuper missed the entire 2012 offseason with the same injury, though this one is "less traumatic."

The Broncos are optimistic that RG Chris Kuper (ankle) and LT Ryan Clady (undisclosed) will play versus the Ravens in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

Kuper was limited in practice last week after missing nine games in the regular season. Clady sat out practice last week, but it's not believed that his undisclosed "nagging" injury is serious.

Broncos declared RG Chris Kuper, QB Caleb Hanie, CB Tracy Porter, RB Knowshon Moreno, DL Sealver Siliga, DB Duke Ihenacho, and TE Julius Thomas inactive for Week 10 at Carolina.

Manny Ramirez will fill in for Kuper. Although Peyton Manning's 10 sacks taken are the second-fewest in the NFL, they have all come in the five games started by Ramirez.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper is out 2-4 weeks with a severe left ankle sprain.

"No fracture involved," said coach John Fox. "There will be some rehab." Journeyman Manny Ramirez will replace Kuper at right guard. Ramirez held his own in five starts to open the season, so Denver's offense should be alright.

According to the Denver Post, Broncos RG Chris Kuper sustained a "severe" ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Bengals.

X-rays came back negative, but Kuper is still expected to miss some time. He'll have an MRI Monday to determine the exact extent of the sprain. Note that the damage is on his left side, the same ankle he dislocated in the final game of 2011. Look for Manny Ramirez to start against the Panthers in Week 10.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper exited Sunday's Week 9 game with a third-quarter ankle injury and was immediately declared out.

Kuper suffered a broken left leg late last season and also broke his arm early in training camp. A warrior, we suspect he would have stayed in this game if the injury weren't so serious. Kuper has been a strong run blocker in 2012.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper (broken arm) has resumed practicing.

Kuper had been sidelined since going down on August 14. Perhaps the Broncos' top offensive lineman, Kuper will likely be back in the starting lineup on Sunday.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper is expected to be sidelined six weeks after suffering a broken ulna in his forearm during Tuesday's practice.

Tough luck. Kuper was working hard to return to form after suffering a dislocated left ankle as well as a broken tibia and fibula in last year's season finale. Manny Ramirez is next up on the depth chart, though an alternative would be moving RT Orlando Franklin inside and starting Chris Clark or Ryan Harris against the Steelers, Falcons and Texans the first three weeks of the season.

Broncos RG Chris Kuper (broken leg) has been medically cleared for training camp.

The Broncos should be breathing a sigh of relief, as Kuper was coming off a major injury. He dislocated his left ankle and also broke his tibia and fibula in Week 17 last year, then underwent a second surgery in April. Kuper is arguably Denver's best offensive lineman when healthy. He should be set for Week 1.

Coach John Fox expects LG Chris Kuper (leg) to be ready for training camp.

Recovering from multiple surgeries to repair his left fibula and ankle, Kuper sat out all 10 OTAs and three minicamp sessions. Manny Ramirez worked as the first-team left guard throughout spring practices.

Broncos VP of Football Operations John Elway believes LG Chris Kuper (leg) could be ready to return by mid-June.

Kuper underwent a second surgery in April, but is "on par" with the 4-6 month timeline he was given after breaking his leg in Week 17. Even if Kuper isn't ready for camp, it's beginning to look like he'll be able to avoid the PUP list.

Broncos LG Chris Kuper underwent a second surgical procedure on his left fibula last week, this one to remove a screw causing discomfort.

There are still seven screws and a plate holding his leg and ankle together. Although he's still walking with a crutch, Kuper believes he will be back on the field by June. The Broncos will be happy if he's ready to rejoin the lineup by the time exhibition games start.

Broncos LG Chris Kuper (broken leg) "could" be ready for training camp.

All this means is that Kuper has yet to suffer a setback after breaking his leg in Week 17 last season, as coach John Fox said in January he wasn't "closing the door" on Kuper being ready for camp. The Broncos could be forced to start Manuel Ramirez or a draft pick if Kuper isn't ready for Week 1.

Broncos placed LG Chris Kuper on injured reserve with a broken left leg, ending his season.

Coach John Fox "isn't closing door" on Kuper being ready for training camp. Denver's long-time left guard has missed just two games since 2007, but had a poor season in 2011, grading out as one of the worst left guards in football by Pro Football Focus. Russ Hochstein shouldn't be a significant downgrade for the postseason. Under contract for $3.5 million in 2012, Kuper is likely to be back in Denver.

Broncos LG Chris Kuper (ankle) is out for the playoffs.

Kuper dislocated his left ankle and also broke his tibia and fibula in Week 17. It's a major blow as he's started every game for the Broncos since Week 7 of the 2007 season. Backup Russ Hochstein will be a downgrade.

Broncos LG Chris Kuper was forced from Sunday's game against the Chiefs with a left leg injury, and will not return.

It wasn't pretty. Kuper got buried at the bottom of a pile, and had his teammates signaling for medical attention just seconds after the play was over. He was carted to the locker room after having an air cast applied. It's extremely doubtful he'll be available for the playoffs if the Broncos manage to advance. Russ Hochstein is now in at left guard.