Heading into the start of training camp on Wednesday, the Broncos are confident three of their headliners are on track to be ready for the season opener Sept. 12.
But that doesn’t mean wideout Courtland Sutton (ACL injury last year) plus outside linebackers Von Miller (ankle surgery last year) and Bradley Chubb (offseason ankle surgery) will be full-go in camp. Coach Vic Fangio said the team will be conservative with all three players.
“Von’s ready to go, but we’re going to manage him just because of his age (32),” Fangio said. “I’ll occasionally give him a day or two off here or there.”
While Miller missed all of 2020 with an ankle injury suffered in the week before the season opener, Chubb missed the final two games before undergoing ankle cleanup surgery in May. That caused Chubb to miss all of the Broncos’ offseason workouts.
“Bradley, coming off his injury, he’s not in great shape yet because he missed a lot of workout time in the offseason,” Fangio said. “His (limit) will be shorter starting out, just because of the conditioning standpoint.”
Meanwhile, Sutton — who racked up 1,112 yards receiving during a Pro Bowl year in 2019 — suffered an ACL tear in the first game he played last year while making a tackle on an interception. The Broncos are counting on Sutton to return to form in 2021.
“Courtland’s really ready to go, but we’re going to monitor him,” Fangio said. “He’s had a tremendous rehab, but we’re going to manage (his reps).”
On another injury note, general manager George Paton said rookie inside linebacker Barron Browning “should be ready to practice within the week.” Browning, Denver’s third-round pick at No. 105 overall this year, is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He suffered a lower-leg injury early in the offseason and did not practice during OTAs or minicamp.
Broncos’ vaccination status. Paton said that as of Tuesday, over 85% of the Broncos players are vaccinated, while the staff has reached the 100% mark.
Breaking that 85% threshold entering training camp means the Broncos will have relaxed COVID testing and protocols within their building, per the NFL’s mandate.
“There was a lot of education, a lot of discussion, a lot of communication (with the players),” Paton said. “We’re one of the higher (vaccinated) teams in the league, and I think it’s going to help us.”
Miller on fans. As fans return to the UC Health Training Center for the first time in two years, Miller said the crowd’s energy will be welcomed by players.
“I’m excited for the fans to get here,” Miller said. “I actually had a dream the other day that I was running out from the facility, and I did a little clap (over my head) like I always do.”
Wednesday is the first of 12 practices that are free and open to the public.
Roster moves. The Broncos made three transactions Wednesday, waiving center Patrick Morris and signing center Brett Jones and safety Tedric Thompson. Paton has a history with Jones, who played the last three years for Minnesota (31 games/five starts).
Thompson, who played at Colorado, spent three years with Seattle and last season with Kansas City. He has 16 starts among his 37 NFL games.
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