RB Booker “deserves more” work
Devontae Booker will be making a homecoming of sorts Sunday when the Broncos visit Oakland, less than 100 miles from his hometown of Sacramento. And the second-year running back could be in line for a bigger role in front of some familiar faces.
“‘Book’ has really been playing some good football,” interim offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave said Wednesday. “I think Book deserves more touches. Obviously, we’ll see how the game goes.”
Booker, who missed the first three games of the season as he completed his rehab from wrist surgery, has seen his workload increase in recent weeks. He had a season-high 19 touches (14 rushes, five receptions) in Sunday’s 20-17 loss to the Bengals for a combined 98 yards.
The 2016 fourth-round draft pick said he has been developing more confidence in his role each week.
“The coaches are trusting me to go out there and make plays,” Booker said. “I’m there every week to do so. I’m just going to keep working my butt off.”
Getting a more consistent workload, he said, would help. Sunday’s game was the first this season in which he had double-digit carries.
“It’s something you like as a running back, getting more carries instead of getting one or two and then getting pulled out, because we don’t get in a groove,” Booker said. “It is what it is, but when we do get those two carries, you’ve got to make the most of them.”
Miller piling up Pro Bowl votes.
Von Miller leads all AFC outside linebackers in early fan voting for the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Wednesday.
Miller, who has 80,781 votes, is the only Broncos player to lead voting at his position. He leads Denver with eight sacks.
The top five players in overall voting are Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, Rams running back Todd Gurley and Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.
Fans can vote at NFL.com and through direct message to the league’s Twitter page until Dec. 14.
Osweiler responds.
Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler, who started the last three games for Denver, will be inactive Sunday as the team turns to Paxton Lynch as the starter and Trevor Siemian as the backup.
Osweiler, who had three touchdowns against four interceptions and went 0-3 in his stint as the starter, said he took the demotion hard.
“Words can’t explain,” Osweiler said. “As football players, we put our hearts, we put our souls, we put everything we have into winning football games and being successful for our team. And when that doesn’t happen, it breaks you. It (stinks).”
Injury report.
Cornerback Aqib Talib and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders were among the Broncos who missed Wednesday’s practice due to injury. Talib was nursing a shoulder injury, and Sanders is dealing with an ankle injury that cost him two games earlier this season. Tight end Jeff Huereman (knee), linebacker Shane Ray (wrist/ankle) and defensive end Adam Gotsis (ankle) were also held out.