Broncos GM Elway: Report of club shopping Talib for trade ‘false’

Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib is not on the trading block despite a report to the contrary, general manager John Elway said in a Saturday press conference at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters.

Early Saturday afternoon, ESPN anchor and reporter Dianna Russini tweeted that the Broncos had made Talib available to suitors willing to fork over “the right price,” citing multiple sources.

The Denver Broncos are making Aqib Talib available for a trade for the right price per multiple sources.

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 3, 2016

Just a short while later, however, Broncos vice president of public relations Patrick Smyth tweeted that the report was erroneous.

This is false. https://t.co/oTfe8gSjCF

— Patrick Smyth (@psmyth12) September 3, 2016

Elway followed up on Smyth’s remarks in the press conference later in the afternoon, saying the report was “false” and Talib’s name was “never brought up anywhere.”

As for the cornerback’s availability for the Broncos regular season opener against the Carolina Panthers Thursday, Elway said the team’s “heard nothing” about any possible suspension related to a June incident in which Talib suffered gunshot wounds to his right leg.

“It would be very disappointing if we heard something at this point in time,” Elway said.

Dallas police are still looking into the late-night incident to pin down the shooter, and because of that the NFL would be unlikely to act on any discipline, 9News Broncos Insider Mike Klis told “Schlereth and Evans” last month.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter joined 104.3 The Fan’s “The Drive with Big Al and DMac” ahead of Talib’s return to the practice field in early August to discuss possible discipline Talib faces.

Schefter said he would be surprised if Talib, who had been sidelined with the injury, did not see discipline in “some form or another.”

“I remember initially speaking to somebody, and we were discussing the situation. And we were discussing it in a hypothetical way, because we do not know the exact facts of the situation. It’s a mystery. But the person I was talking to said, ‘I don’t see how this is less than eight games,’” Schefter said.

He continued: “I don’t what it’s going to be. I’m just telling you what one knowledgeable person told me. Now maybe he’s suspended one game. That could be. Maybe it’s four games, and they appeal it and get it down to two.”

Follow 104.3 The Fan digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.