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The Denver Broncos are reportedly planning to put Pro Bowl linebacker Elvis Dumervil on the injured reserve.

This is not a surprise. The only surprise is that it took so long. Dumervil has been expected to miss the entire season since he tore his pectoral muscle early in training camp. The Broncos were holding out hope Dumervil could possibly return very late in the season. But because of several injuries, Denver cannot afford to keep Dumervil on the 53-man roster on the small chance he’d play in 2010.

This move is more paper work than anything. Denver, internally, came to grips weeks ago that the season likely would be played without Dumervil.

Denver cut seven players and put running back LenDale White on the injured reserve Friday. Among the cuts were second year defensive tackle Chris Baker and seventh-round pick Jammie Kirlew. He could be a candidate for the practice squad. The team had high hopes for Baker, an undrafted free agent last year, but he didn’t do much this summer.

Kansas City cut seven players. Among the cuts was backup guard Ikechuku Ndukwe.

Pittsburgh has allowed veteran center Justin Hartwig to pursue a trade. Oakland and Denver are two teams that could potentially look at centers.

With White out and Denver’s running back crew banged up, perhaps it will consider bringing back J.J. Arrington. He was cut by the Eagles on Friday. Denver traded him for linebacker Joe Mays early in camp. Mays has been terrific in Denver. Before signing White, Denver was also considering Ladell Betts, who was cut by New Orleans.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has a look into the current mindset of Chargers’ holdout linebacker Shawne Merriman. He says his hold-out status is “day-to-day.” My guess? Merriman will show up sometime before camp ends.

• The Kansas City Star has a look at embattled Chiefs’ receiver Dwayne Bowe and how he is different this camp. Bowe better be different or this may be his final season in Kansas City.

• Denver cornerback Champ Bailey says rookie quarterback Tim Tebow has the biggest star power of any teammate he has ever had. And some folks wonder why Tebow gets all the pub he receives?

• Before signing running back LenDale White, the Broncos also took a peep at Adrian Peterson (the former Bear, not the current Vikings’ superstar) and LaDell Betts.

NFL.com is reporting former Washington running back LaDell Betts will visit the Broncos.

It makes sense. The Broncos are without Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (back). Moreno is expected to be out for three weeks and Buckhalter is expected to be out a week. Taking a look at Betts makes sense.

• The Chiefs are tinkering with the defensive lineup. It makes sense, since that unit is a work in progress.

• The Chiefs waived guard Andrew Lewis and signed linebacker John Russell -- a rookie from Wake Forest who was with Green Bay earlier in the offseason.

Random notes from Denver’s 27-17 loss at Washington:

Denver receiver Brandon Marshall played very well in the first half before Kyle Orton got hurt, grabbing four catches for 129 yards. He had one catch for six yards in the second half.

Denver gave up 58 points in the second half during their three-game losing streak. The Broncos gave up 10 points in the second half combined in their first six games.

Denver rookie running back Knowshon Moreno had 97 yards on 18 carries. It was a nice bounce-back game after two poor games for the No. 12 overall pick.

Denver’s run defense was lacking again as it allowed backup running back Ladell Betts 114 yards rushing.

Denver safety Brian Dawkins had a game-high 12 tackles.