Broncos LB D.J. Williams returns Sunday

• D.J. Williams served a nine-game suspension for failing a drug test and driving while impaired
• He has been the Broncos' leading tackler in four of the previous five seasons
• Williams is expected to play a limited number of downs and possibly appear on special teams

Denver, Colo. – The long wait is over for Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams.

Williams, the Broncos' leading tackler in four out of the last five years, will be on the Broncos' active game-day roster today against San Diego – the first time Williams will play in a game since Jan. 14.

Williams served a nine-game suspension for violating the league's banned substance policy (six games for a failed test for performance enhancing drugs) and personal conduct policy (three games after his second driving while ability impaired conviction). Williams was with the team in training camp but did not play in any preseason games.

Williams practiced all week under a roster exemption, and was added to the 53-man roster Saturday. The Broncos cleared room for Williams earlier in the week by waiving rookie safety Duke Ihenacho, who was then re-signed to the practice squad.

Williams has been a full-time starter for the Broncos at a variety of inside and outside linebacker positions since he was drafted in the first round in 2004. But he won't slide back into his starting role – not with such a long absence from the team, and not with the current linebacker corps playing well for the last month.

Williams will likely play in a limited role in defensive packages, and possibly on special teams.

"I could never say we don't need a guy like that," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "We'll see how we work him in and what he does and go from there."

Bailey and defensive end Elvis Dumervil, the other longest-tenured Broncos on defense, welcomed Williams' return. Several current Broncos starters, like middle linebacker Keith Brooking and safety Mike Adams, have yet to play with Williams, but Dumervil believes Williams' return – in whatever capacity – will make the Broncos better.

That could be important today in facing San Diego tight end Antonio Gates, who scored two touchdowns against the Broncos last week. The Broncos in the past have used Williams – Denver's biggest linebacker – to cover tight ends.

"It makes us more explosive. He is athletic, he is smart and he is a great athlete," Dumervil said. "It's huge. I think we can do a lot more different things. We're excited. Having D.J. back obviously brings us more depth. I think guys have been playing at a high level, and having a guy like that come on board, it says a lot of good things to us."