The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
No clear starter for Denver
QBs Siemian, Lynch will compete for job into the preseason.
The Denver Broncos always knew Peyton Manning was their top quarterback in his four training camps. The picture hasn’t been as clear the last two years.
The scrimmage Saturday failed to clarity who will be the starter when the season begins next month.
Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch have spent training camp trying to entrench themselves as the No. 1 quarterback. But with a few days before the first preseason game, there is no clear winner. Siemian, who won the starting job last year over veteran Mark Sanchez and Lynch, began to separate himself this week but didn’t lay claim to the No. 1 spot in Saturday’s scrimmage.
Coach Vance Joseph said Thursday’s game at Chicago will hold more meaning.
“Today was a controlled scrimmage, especially for the (starters and backups),” he said. “Thursday in Chicago, that’s where the true evaluation starts.”
The short scrimmage was a window into Thursday, and Siemian outperformed Lynch, the Broncos’ 2016 first-round draft pick. Siemian completed 3 of 5 passes for approximately 31 yards.
Lynch struggled, missing on some passes and finished 0 for 4. He was intercepted by cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and his only completion was wiped out on a penalty.
Dolphins: Coach Adam Gase says he reached out to Jay Cutler, and the retired quarterback who is now working in television showed interest. But Gase said Saturday he didn’t think the Dolphins were close yet to signing a quarterback following the knee injury to Ryan Tannehill that could sideline him the entire season.
Gase wants to determine Tannehill’s status before bringing in someone else.
49ers: Linebacker Malcolm Smith, one of the team’s most coveted additions in free agency, might have suffered a significant injury during practice inside Levi’s Stadium. Smith, 28, left the field during fullteam drills with an apparent upper-body injury.
Jets: Wide receiver Quincy Enunwa has a neck injury similar to one that held him out during spring workouts. Enunwa had dropped a pass from Christian Hackenberg during practice Saturday night at MetLife Stadium when he took a step and fell to the turf face-first. Trainers attended to Enunwa for several minutes before the receiver got on both knees before getting up and walking slowly to the locker room.
Vikings: Locked up another core piece of their defense, agreeing to a contract extension with nose tackle Linval Joseph. NFL Media reported it’s a fouryear extension worth as much as $50 million with $31.5 million guaranteed.
Titans: Rookie receiver Corey Davis, the No. 5 overall draft pick, will miss at least a week after hurting his hamstring in camp. Davis called it a slight strain.
Cardinals: Rookie T.J. Logan, a speedster who had been expected to return kicks and punts, fractured his wrist in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game and is expected to be sidelined for 12 weeks.