Offense fights back against 49ers in second practice

Pushed around by the 49ers during Friday’s practice, the Broncos’ offense showed more execution and spunk during Saturday’s session, culminating in a spirited skirmish.

“We had to come out here with an edge to us and not let them set the tempo,” receiver Tim Patrick said.

The brouhaha happened during the second period of 11-on-11 work. Two plays after running back David Williams jawed with several 49ers defenders, things escalated after he finished a carry.

“One person hit me and then a second person hit me and I was like, ‘OK, cool,’” Williams said. “But then third person came up to hit me.”

Cue chaos. Punches were definitely thrown, but only the coach’s tape will provide definitive evidence.

Broncos receiver Brendan Langley and tight end Bug Howard were ejected from practice.

“I had instructed the coaches that if something happened extracurricular-wise that they deemed (a player should be) removed from the field, do it,” said Broncos coach Vic Fangio, who was on the other field.

No 49ers player was dismissed from practice by their coaches.

Williams appreciated his teammates coming to his aid.

“That just shows how close we are as a team and have each other’s back,” he said.

Before and after the brawl, the Broncos offense showed up well.

“We came out firing,” quarterback Drew Lock said. “A lot of positive plays. Got the juices flowing early so when that happens, it’s going to be a good day.”

Said general manager John Elway: “We had a better day (Saturday). I don’t know if we met the intensity (Friday) that the Niners put out there and that’s up to us.”

Quarterback Joe Flacco was 6-of-7 passing during the first 11-on-11 period, including a terrific catch by receiver Courtland Sutton over cornerback Richard Sherman. Receiver Kelvin Mcknight had a onehanded catch on a pass thrown by Lock.

During the second 11-on-11 period, Flacco’s drive started with a screen pass to running back Royce Freeman that was busted open when left guard Dalton Risner pancake-blocked linebacker Malcolm Smith downfield. After the brawl, Flacco connected deep with receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Miller sits out.

Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller missed his first practice of training camp.

“He’s OK,” Fangio said. “He’s made every practice we’ve had since OTAS and we decided to give him a day off.”

Also not practicing: Fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral), cornerback Horace Richardson (back), outside linebacker Malik Reed (oblique), running backs Theo Riddick (shoulder) and Khalfani Muhammad (undisclosed), safeties Dymonte Thomas (attending funeral), Su’a Cravens (illness) and Will Parks (hamstring) and inside linebackers Todd Davis (calf) and Joseph Jones (triceps).

Kyle Shanahan homecoming.

On Friday morning, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan made his first visit to the Broncos’ facility in more than a decade, since his father, Mike, was the team’s coach.

“It looks completely different,” said Kyle, an alum of Cherry Creek High School. “There used to be a (practice) bubble that blew down one day. The facility looks great. I really enjoyed our time here.”

The 49ers used the Broncos’ indoor facility as their locker room, but Shanahan visited coach Vic Fangio’s office in the main building.

“It was different walking in — it’s been remodeled a bunch,” Shanahan said. “A very special place to me.”

No QB order.

Two days ahead of the first two preseason games, Fangio announced the order the quarterbacks would enter the game. Not this time, though, for Monday night.

“I’m not sure yet,” Fangio said. “We’re going to discuss that (Saturday night).”

Lock took the majority of second-team snaps during the six days of practice following the Seattle game.

Return game “wide open.”

Special teams coordinator Tom Mcmahon said the punt/kick return jobs remain “wide open.”

Mcknight, Langley, running back Devontae Jackson and receivers River Cracraft and Nick Williams have caught punts in the first two preseason games for a 3.5-yard average.

“We haven’t had any production,” Mcmahon said. “Somebody has to produce and separate themselves. I’ll be honest with you — nobody has produced at an NFL level and we have to block better. We got our tail kicked (last week at Seattle).”

Dymonte Thomas fined.

Per a league source, Thomas was fined $28,075 by the NFL for his unnecessary roughness penalty against Seattle on Aug. 8.