Ambiguity vanishes. There exists a 100 percent chance that somebody is hurting in every NFL game, a concession to the violence created by fast, brutish players.

The timing of the injuries, however, swings the pendulum. The Pittsburgh Steelers provided a case in point Saturday, their postseason exit hastened by the loss of all-pro running back Le’Veon Bell.

The Broncos began preparation for Sunday’s playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts boosted by the return of weakside linebacker Brandon Marshall and strong safety T.J. Ward.

Denver’s defense finished second in rush defense, and allowed the fewest yards of any AFC team. Those statistics were compiled with heavy contributions from Marshall, the team’s leading tackler, and Ward, ranked second in tackles and a thumper not seen on Denver’s defense since the days of Brian Dawkins.

Seeing them at practice Monday in preparation for Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck inflated confidence.

“Those are our guys. They know how to do it, you know,” linebacker Von Miller said. “How can it not help?”

Marshall started from the bottom a year ago, as a member of the practice squad, and now he’s emerged as a defensive catalyst. He practiced Monday for the first time since spraining his left foot during a tackle against San Diego on Dec. 14.

“He reminds me of a young (former running back Curtis Martin). He wasn’t flashy, just produced,” safety Rahim Moore said. “With Brandon you look up and he has like 15 tackles, two for losses and pass breakups.

“You turn on the tape and see it. And your friends are asking, ‘Who is 54?’ He raises eyebrows and is exactly what this defense needs.”

There appears no concern around Dove Valley that Marshall will play Sunday. The issue turns to whether he will remain effective and durable. If his foot cooperates, the former Nevada star provides the Broncos added versatility — “He makes a ton of tackles in the open field, and inspires guys,” Miller said — and can cover tight end Coby Fleener in man-to-man defense, if necessary.

The Broncos relied on rookie Todd Davis in Marshall’s absence, their depth tested after Danny Trevathan’s third knee injury, the last of which ended his season. Davis showed improvement the more he played, but Marshall has been missed.

Ward reluctantly listened to his body, sitting out against Oakland after spraining his neck in Cincinnati in Game 15. Ward joins Peyton Manning, Julius Thomas and Marshall as players who benefited the most from the bye week.

“If we played last week, obviously Brandon doesn’t play and T.J. might have been rusty,” defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. “It’s good to see those guys out there.”

For Ward, this week resonates. He left the Cleveland Browns in free agency, motivated to sign with a contender. Sunday, he will make his playoff debut.

“I feel a lot better. I am straight. I will be good,” said Ward, who stayed in Denver last week to undergo treatment and rehabilitation. “I figured there would be a lot of hype going into this game. The atmosphere will be 10 times more than the regular season, that’s what I am expecting. But I have to be smart and play my game.”

Neither Marshall nor Ward showed their potential in the season’s first meeting against Indianapolis. Marshall struggled in pass coverage, which is now a strong suit, and Ward wasn’t used to blitz or used in a “hybrid” linebacker role, which amplifies his strengths.

Their health has improved, creating optimism about the impact they can make.

Next man up is an admirable philosophy. But former guy in often is a better solution.

“The bye really helped us,” Knighton said, before adding: “The opportunity to build a team like this doesn’t always happen. A lot of guys are ring chasing. To me it’s about winning now, not now on or in the future because you never know what your future holds as a player. You want to take advantage of this.”

Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck