Broncos defensive end Robert Ayers was excused from team meetings Monday so he could be with family on the East Coast after the unexpected death of his father.

No timetable has been set on Ayers’ return.

“We’re just trying to be there for a brother when he’s down,” said fellow Broncos defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson. “We all just want to support the guy.”

Ayers was at the Broncos’ team hotel in Kansas City on Saturday night when he learned of his father’s unexpected passing. Ayers decided to play Sunday afternoon against the Chiefs.

The Broncos defeated Kansas City, 17-9 for their sixth consecutive victory. In the process, the Broncos also eliminated the Chiefs and third-place Oakland Raiders from the AFC West race while stretching their lead against the second-place San Diego Chargers to five games (counting head-to-head tiebreaker) with five to go.

“No. 1, we don’t want to worry about all that,” said Broncos coach John Fox. “We want to worry about the Tampa Bay Bucs in all three phases. That will be the mantra when we gather the team back up on Wednesday.”

The Broncos can clinch the AFC West and no worse than a No. 4 AFC playoff seed by defeating Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Also during Fox’s Monday news conference:

* He confirmed quarterback Peyton Manning took a concussion test during the game Sunday against the Chiefs, but was cleared.

“It’s been out there about Peyton was banged on his head,” Fox said. “Our medical staff does a great job. He was cleared in the locker room at halftime to come out in the third quarter.”

* The Broncos officially signed former Chargers’ tailback/fullback/special teams standout Jacob Hester to their 53-man roster.

“I expect to be on special teams first, that being my background and we’ll go from there,” Hester said.

Hester played his previous four seasons with the rival Chargers, who had many games against the Broncos where the two sides didn’t always like each other.

“I’m not going to lie, today in the weight room they broke it down with, “Broncos,” and it was a little weird saying, “Broncos,”‘ Hester said. “But no, I’m excited. I knew a lot of guys here because I played against them for four years in the division, and I know a lot of them from college. So it’ll be fun and it’s something I’m looking forward to.”

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055, mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis