The Denver Broncos are 1-2 so far in the 2010 preseason, but final scores don’t matter as much as how the team is playing, and in that regard, it’s been a toss-up. Tonight’s game against the Minnesota Vikings (6 p.m., KCNC Channel 4) will be the last opportunity for the Broncos to work out the kinks, and so far the injuries suffered by the team’s best running backs top the list of concerns.

“We may not be in midseason form on September 12, but it doesn’t matter,” coach Josh McDaniels tells The Denver Post, looking ahead to the team’s first regular-season game a week from Sunday. “We can’t take a mulligan.”

Tonight is the first time right guard Chris Kuper and left tackle Ryan Clady—two key pieces of the team’s running game—will don pads and play.

Knowshon Moreno, the team’s top running back, returned to practice this week after injuring his hamstring on the first day of training camp more than a month ago. It’s unclear if he’ll play tonight, but an established running game with a quality back like Moreno would certainly take some pressure off quarterback Kyle Orton and the passing game. As a rookie, Moreno posted 947 yards and scored seven touchdowns, so his return can only help the Broncos.