Broncos’ O-line getting healthy
Before the Broncos begin training camp Saturday at Dove Valley, head coach Vance Joseph and general manager John Elway highlighted the most critical issues ahead during a news conference Friday. Here are five takeaways.
1. Offensive line health update: Left guard Ron Leary (knee) and right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot) missed organized team activities and minicamp, but they are expected to participate in training camp.
“Leary had a minor procedure in May, so he’s two months out, he’s healthy, he’s in good shape and he’s running,” Joseph said. “With Jared, he had a foot issue in the spring. He’s also back. Those two guys have played a bunch of football. We have to be smart with those guys to get those guys to Week 1.
“Easing those guys into practice with half the reps early on is going to be important for us.”
2. Ray will play: Joseph said wide receiver Jordan Taylor (hip) will start camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. A notable Bronco not joining him, though, is linebacker Shane Ray — who opted not to have a fourth wrist surgery last month.
“That was Shane’s decision with his doctors, that’s the direction he wanted to go,” Elway said. “Hopefully we can manage him and keep him in a position where he can be effective for us. We’ll just have to play that by ear.”
3. Where’s the wide receiver? Carlos Henderson was placed on the “Did Not Report” list to begin training camp as he attends to a personal issue. The Broncos have since signed freeagent wide receivers Mark Chapman and Corey “Philly” Brown.
Joseph, who made critical comments of Henderson through his injury rehab (hamstring), said: “He’s having some family problems right now. It’s strictly on Carlos if he wants to continue to play football and if he wants to come back to camp and compete. That’s strictly personal with Carlos.”
Brown, 26, signed with the Broncos on Friday. He played at Ohio State and then spent three years (2014-16) with the Carolina Panthers. He played in 43 games (22 starts) and had 79 catches for 1,019 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown also has 16 career punt returns and 12 career kick returns.
Brown signed with Buffalo in March 2017, but he was cut after training camp. He was re-signed by the Bills in October, but he was cut seven days later.
4. All eyes on Paxton: The Broncos will solidify their backup quarterback spot through training camp between Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly. Lynch, a third-year QB selected No. 26 overall in the 2016 NFL draft, appears to have the upper hand.
“We’ve got to get him to stay healthy — he wasn’t healthy last year,” Elway said. “Plus, he’s been in this system now and it’s not a system that is going to be changing. We still have confidence in Paxton that he will continue to make strides. He had a good offseason and we think that he still has the ability to play in this league. It will be a good competition.”
5. Who is the No. 2 CB? The departure of Aqib Talib and the promotion of Chris Harris in the Broncos’ defensive backfield opens up a second starting cornerback slot. Elway dropped this clear hint: “(Bradley) Roby is ready to step up and be a starter at corner. Tramaine Brock will come in (and) be the third right now.”
Said Harris: “I feel like (Roby) came into his own this offseason and now it’s time for him to prove it on the field in training camp and be consistent.”