D.J. Williams' return from ban gives Broncos options

• D.J. Williams can return to playing for the Broncos with his nine-game suspension over.
• Wesley Woodyard has been a standout as Williams' replacement.
• The Broncos meet the Chargers in Week 11's matchup of the AFC West's top two teams.

For nine weeks, Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams sat at home watching the Broncos from his couch, first in Miami, and more recently, in his home in the Denver suburbs, as the Broncos took control of the AFC West without him.

His ban is over.

Williams' nine-game suspension -- six games for a violation of the banned substance policy, and three for breaking the personal conduct policy – ended after the Broncos' 36-14 win in Carolina.

But now that Williams is back, the Broncos have to figure out what to do with him.

Williams has been a full-time starter, and a three-down player, since the Broncos drafted him in the first round in 2004, and has led the Broncos in tackles in four of the last five seasons. Members of the Broncos staff view Williams as their most talented inside linebacker, and like his on-field leadership.

Yet it's not as simple as just sliding Williams back into the starting lineup. Who would the Broncos kick out?

Wesley Woodyard, Williams' replacement at weakside linebacker, has had double-digit tackles in four of the last five games, and even earned AFC defensive player of the week honors earlier this month. The Broncos are undefeated since veteran Keith Brooking replaced Joe Mays at middle linebacker (a position Williams has played in the past), and rookie Danny Trevathan is showing improvement in his role in the nickel defense, particularly when he's assigned to cover pass-catching tight ends.

"I think that's what people are trying to do – turn it into me vs. [Woodyard], or that I'm coming after Brooking," Williams recently told USA TODAY Sports. "That's not the way it works. There are three linebackers on the field, could be four, some packages with five, some packages with just 1. There's room for everybody."

And then there's a matter of conditioning. The Broncos knew Williams would be suspended for at least six games when training camp began, so they went about the preseason without him. Williams attended all but one practice – he was excused to attend his trial on drunken driving charges in August – but participated little. He often did scout team work or stood alongside defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio while the players who would replace him practiced.

Williams did not play in any of the preseason games, so his first game this year will be his first real action since the Broncos' playoff loss in New England in early January. He has been allowed to attend meetings at Dove Valley over the last month (three weeks plus the Broncos' bye week) but has not been allowed to practice.

The Broncos, who don't have to make a roster move to bring Williams off the reserve-suspended list until later this week to return, will likely ease Williams back into action. Williams expects to see a reduced number of snaps in his first games back, perhaps as early as Sunday against San Diego.

"I would love to go out and play 75 snaps, but to be realistic, you never know," Williams said. "No guarantees, but I feel like I have the talent to get on the field. Whether it's the first week I'm back or the second week I'm back, I don't think I'll be sitting on the bench too much."