QB rumors.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph denies speculation that he has already picked a starting quarterback.
Broncos coach Vance Joseph shot down the idea Thursday that he already has decided on a starting quarterback.
Asked by a reporter to respond to rumors that he has already made a decision between Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, Joseph chuckled.
“No,” he said. “That did not happen. It’s an open competition still. No one has been told they’re the starter. We’re still evaluating these guys. Again, it’s been a grind of a week on both sides of the ball. We’re going to play our (preseason game at Chicago) next Thursday and go from there (as to) who is going to be the guy, but no one has been told.”
With the Broncos’ defense missing cornerback Aqib Talib, safety T.J. Ward, linebacker Todd Davis and nose tackle Domata Peko during a veteran rest day, Siemian and Lynch had productive stretches during Thursday’s practice.
“Them guys are out there competing, man,” Talib said of the quarterbacks. “They are going back and forth. It’s going to be a tough decision. I’m not part of the decision, so (general manager) John (Elway) and Coach Joseph and (offensive coordinator) Mike (McCoy), good luck.”
Siemian and Lynch are expected to take equal snaps with the first-team offense during the Broncos’ first scrimmage Saturday, which Joseph said will consist 36 to 40 total plays.
Charles making strides.
Jamaal Charles did Thursday what he’s often done well during his decorated career: he got lost.
Charles floated out of the backfield during an 11-on-11 session and darted up the sideline on a crisp wheel route. Paxton Lynch hit the veteran running back in stride for a big gain.
It was Charles’ second straight practice participating in fullteam drills, and Joseph said he’s impressed with the strides being made by the 10-year veteran, who signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in May and is working his way back from multiple knee surgeries.
“With Jamaal getting more team reps and getting more 7on-7 reps, you can see his playmaking ability,” Joseph said. “You could see it even today with the wheel route, as a receiver he’s going to be key for us. In my opinion, to use Jamaal in a certain role, that will help keep him healthy. If we can get 10 to 12 specialty plays per game for Jamaal — screens and wheel routes and outside runs — that’s going to make us a better football team.”
Footnotes.
Running back Bernard Pierce (hamstring) missed practice. … Linebackers Von Miller and Brandon Marshall, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and defensive end Derek Wolfe will all receive a rest day Friday.