BOLLES AMONG 7 HELD FROM PRACTICE
Seven Broncos players didn’t practice Wednesday and four others were limited because of injuries and precaution.
Left offensive tackle Garett Bolles was among the former after suffering a lower-leg bruise in last Sunday’s win against the Dallas Cowboys. He remains week to week in his recovery and, as of Wednesday, coach Vance Joseph was unwilling to divulge the plan to replace him should he be unable to play at Buffalo on Sunday.
Wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who is in the concussion protocol, attended practice but did not participate. Nor did cornerbacks Brendan Langley (knee) and Bradley Roby (ankle). Running back Jamaal Charles and cornerback Aqib Talib were given veteran days off.
The limited players: tight end Jeff Heuerman (shoulder), safety Darian Stewart (groin), wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (hamstring) and outside linebacker Von Miller (knee).
Asked if he was concerned about whether Roby and Miller would be able to play at Buffalo, Joseph said flatly: “No. Not at all.”
Tempered excitement.
The Broncos are 2-0 and lead the league in yards rushing (159.0 per game), third-down conversions (56.7 percent) and touchdown percentage (10 percent); are tied for first with six touchdowns passing; and boast a defense that is third against the run (52.0 yards allowed) and second on third downs (23.1 percent).
They’ll take those numbers, but the Broncos emphasize it’s only Week 2.
“It’s not hard for us to kind of stay focused,” quarterback Trevor Siemian said. “We’re going to Buffalo, and we’re playing one of the best fronts in the league this week and at a tough place to play. It’s easy for us to really stay dialed in and focused on this week.”
Plus, the Broncos know how quickly a 2-0 or, as was the case last year, a 4-0 start can turn.
“It’s tough to get fat and happy four games into the season,” Siemian said. “It’s such a long season, and teams are so good week to week. I don’t care what anybody’s record it. It’s a great challenge every week, and this week is certainly no different.”
Familiarity in Buffalo.
The Bills are ranked eighth in the league with an average of 129.5 yards rushing after two games and, after the Broncos’ thrashing of the Cowboys, Joseph believes the team is in a good position to face another run-first offense.
“The offenses that we played last week and are playing this week are very, very similar,” he said. “It’s a run-first offense that throw quick passes. From our perspective, it should help us facing a run-first offense again and with a quarterback that can scramble and do things with his legs. Defensively it’s a very similar challenge from what we faced last week against Dallas.”
The Broncos’ offensive line faced a pair of elite pass rushers in Los Angeles’ Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram in Week 1, then took on Dallas’ DeMarcus Lawrence last Sunday. But Buffalo may present the line’s toughest challenge yet.
“They have three Pro Bowl players in their front four,” Joseph said. “This is probably the best front seven that we’ve seen all year, including the preseason. So it’s going to be a true challenge for us. …They’re top 10 in run and pass defense right now.”
Footnotes.
Joseph turned 45 on Wednesday. … Joseph remains unsure whether running back Devontae Booker (wrist) will play Sunday. “It’s a long week of practice,” Joseph said. “It’s his second week back, and he has to get in football shape so we can put him out there and feel good about him,” he said. “So I’m not sure.” … The Broncos will travel to Buffalo on Friday to ensure a full day of practice and meetings Saturday.