CHARLES TURNS IN STRONG EFFORT FOR DENVER WITH 56 YARDS RUSHING AND ONE TOUCHDOWN
N.Y.» If there was ORCHARD PARK, a bright spot in the Broncos’ 26-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, it was the performance of Jamaal Charles.
The Broncos signed the veteran running back in May with the hope he would recover from multiple knee surgeries and become a spark plug in the team’s retooled backfield. Against the Bills, Charles proved he still has it with nine carries, a game-high 56 yards rushing and a 12-yard rushing touchdown — his first as a Bronco.
It was the 65th touchdown of Charles’ career, putting him in a tie with Cowboys tight end Jason Witten for 11th-most among active NFL players.
“We ran the ball fine in my opinion,” said Denver coach Vance Joseph. “Again, third downs, red zone and two turnovers kind of killed our ride.”
High and low.
Linebacker Von Miller had one of the Denver defense’s four sacks and moved within two of Karl Mecklenburg on the team’s all-time list with 76½. Including playoff games, Miller’s 83 sacks are the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2011.
But he bookended his performance Sunday with a critical mistake. He was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct when he seemed to offer to help Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor get up after a hit but pulled his hand back.
“I’ve got to be smarter than that,” Miller said “I’m always on the rookies and all the young guys about being smart and doing this and doing that, and then I go out there and do something like that in crucial situation in the game.”
Bolles plays.
A week after suffering a lower-leg bruise and being carted off the field, rookie offensive tackle Garett Bolles was active against Buffalo. As was wide receiver Bennie Fowler, who suffered a concussion a week ago and was cleared from the protocol Saturday.
Bolles didn’t attend practice last Wednesday but returned on a limited basis to practice Thursday and was initially listed as questionable to play in Sunday’s game.
Denver’s seven inactives were running back Devontae Booker, who is still working his way back from wrist surgery; veteran defensive lineman and recent free-agent signing Ahtyba Rubin; quarterback Paxton Lynch (shoulder); cornerback Brendan Langley (knee); wide receiver Jordan Taylor; offensive lineman Billy Turner; and defensive lineman Kyle Peko.
Veteran defensive end Zach Kerr made his regular-season Broncos debut after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the preseason.
Footnotes.
Denver’s game captain Sunday was wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. … The Broncos have led after the first quarter in all three games this season. … Brandon McManus improved to 82-of98 (83.7 percent) in field goals as a Broncos kicker. It’s the best percentage in team history.