FIGHTS BREAK OUT EARLY AND OFTEN WITH 49ERS
» Menelik SANTA CLARA, CALIF. Watson emerged from the scrum with a look of fury on his face and a teammate on his back.
Tight end Austin Traylor wrapped both of his arms around the Broncos’ 6-foot-5, 315-pound left tackle Thursday morning, an attempt to cool some of the tempers that escalated during multiple fights that erupted in second of two joint practices between the Broncos and 49ers.
“It’s football. It’s a physical sport, so some of that stuff’s gonna happen,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “Both sides kind of caught their composure and were able to finish practice. So that’s what’s important there.”
Three fights broke out during the practice, two between the Denver offense and San Francisco defense and one between the opposite units. Two altercations began when scuffles between offensive and defensive lineman carried past the whistle. Another began after what Broncos cornerback Chris Harris called a “dirty” hit by 49ers wide receiver Pierre Garcon on cornerback Aqib Talib following an interception by Justin Simmons.
“Just a little wrestling match. It wasn’t nothing major, man,” said Talib, downplaying the fracas. “I’ve been in real fights. That was nothing.”
Joseph said the Broncos are still trying to instill an identity that walks the line between toughness and discipline.
“We want to be smart bullies,” he said. “We don’t want to be idiots. We don’t want to get penalties that cost us big plays in a game.”
Injury update.
Broncos tight end A.J. Derby missed Thursday’s practice with a minor back contusion. Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who exited Wednesday’s practice early with a shoulder injury, also missed Thursday’s practice.
Wide receiver Cody Latimer (knee) and rookie outside linebacker DeMarcus Walker (hip) each missed their third consecutive practice. Walker will not play Saturday against the 49ers, Joseph said. Center Matt Paradis and running back Jamaal Charles will also be held out.
Inside linebacker Brandon Marshall was limited Thursday with a slight rib contusion.
“He’s fine,” Joseph said. “Just being smart.”
Footnote:
The Broncos’ firstteam defense will play at least one quarter against the 49ers on Saturday, Joseph said. “I just think two series would be good for me,” Harris said. “We have a lot of younger guys that need more reps, more looks and more chances to get some exposure.”