Taking a long view on player health

Perhaps it’s a sign, and if it is, Vance Joseph will take it. The Broncos, he believes, had the best Wednesday practice they’ve had all year as they return from a bye and prepare to face the 0-5 Giants.

Joseph has generally been candid with his assessments of practice. In the days leading up to their loss at Buffalo in Week 3, he noted a change in the focus of players. It differed from the previous weeks, when they dismantled the Chargers and then the Cowboys. The lack of attention to detail in Week 3 led to their first loss of the season.

“The difference is we’re off a bye, so guys are feeling good,” Joseph said. “We’ve got very few injuries — knock on wood — thus far. It’s beautiful out, it’s nice weather and that helps. But I think it’s just guys being fresh and being excited about playing a football game again. We’re in a good spot right now, so we got to continue to do more and push our guys to continue to focus and push forward and get better every day.”

The Broncos’ only injured or recovering players are receiver Cody Latimer, who is working his way back from a knee injury, and quarterback Paxton Lynch, who is healing a shoulder sprain.

Joseph has made an effort to give certain veterans — running back Jamaal Charles, cornerback Aqib Talib and nose tackle Domata Peko — rest days each week in an effort to preserve their health. He’s taken lessons learned from his time with former coach Gary Kubiak in Houston and Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati and applied them here.

“It’s important. Obviously, we’re playing football and it’s a physical game, so you’re going to have some injuries. What (the Giants) went through on Sunday, you can’t prevent that. But I think having a plan for the entire year helps to keep players healthy. … Longterm, you have to plan early for that. You can’t in Week 10 say, ‘Let’s back Talib off because he won’t make it and Jamaal Charles won’t make it.’ ”