D-line’s depth could be tested in opener
The Broncos could enter the regular season a bit thin on defensive line. Though Derek Wolfe has returned from an ankle injury, Jared Crick is day to day after suffering back spasms in training camp and Zach Kerr has been nursing a bruised knee. Both were absent from practice Friday.
Defensive coordinator Joe Woods said the Broncos will continue to monitor both players as options on the defensive line are evaluated before Monday night’s season opener in Denver against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“It’s a part of the evaluation process for the next couple days,” Woods said. “We might have to make some moves, so we’ll see.”
If Crick and Kerr are unable to play Monday, Adam Gotsis, who returned to practice this week after suffering a sprained shoulder during the preseason finale against Arizona on Aug. 31, would likely move into a starting spot alongside Wolfe and nose tackle Domata Peko. That would leave Shelby Harris and Kyle Peko, who recently returned to practice after missing two months with a foot injury, as the only healthy reserve defensive linemen on the roster.
Marshall update.
Brandon Marshall didn’t feel quite like himself on the football field last season.
The sixth-year linebacker made that revelation Friday, three days before the Broncos were set to kick off their season against the Chargers on “Monday Night Football.”
“I just feel like I’m my old self again,” said Marshall, who was inactive the final four games of the 2016 season because of a hamstring injury and finished with 52 tackles. “I feel — I know it’s kind of weird to say — but I feel like last year, I didn’t have any instincts. It was so weird. I’ve never had that in my whole football career. I feel like my instincts are back. I’m ready to go. I’m excited. I just feel like a new me. I’m going to make some plays this year.”
Charles good to go.
The Broncos didn’t need to see much of Jamaal Charles in the preseason to know the veteran running back warranted a spot on the 53-man roster.
In his only game action, against Green Bay on Aug. 26, Charles had 42 yards on six touches (four rushes and two catches), displaying some of the big-play ability that made him a star for much of the last decade with Kansas City.
Offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said the Broncos will be deliberate in how they use Charles in the regular season.
“It’s a great system for him to be in the way we’ve rotated players,” McCoy said. “Since back in the day with (former Broncos coach John) Fox in 2002, we’ve always played everybody.
“He’ll have a number of plays he’ll play and certain things will be designed for him. I’m just going to listen to him on game day and during the week on how he’s feeling and just make sure he feels great when we kick off on Monday night.”
Footnotes.
The Broncos are encouraging all their fans attending Monday night’s opener to wear orange. … Woods said the Broncos will monitor outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett closely Monday as he makes his return from a hip injury that kept him out most of training camp. “It’s just one of those situations where he needs to let us know if he needs a break,” Woods said.