QB Flacco expected to see more action against Niners
1. Eleven snaps and a drive that ended with a field goal were Flacco’s work against Seattle, and he is expected to play more against the 49ers. There were no real things to clean up from last week except avoiding the communication-type errors that led to him bumping into running back Phillip Lindsay. “I think Joe’s still getting a feel for the offense,” general manager John Elway said. “He’ll get better as he gets more play time in these preseason games.”
2. Noah Fant. Fant, the Broncos’ first-round draft pick, has three catches for 21 yards in two games, but particularly in the last week of practice, he is showing a definitive comfort level with the passing system. Fant exhibited good hands and route running throughout the six practices since the Seattle game, and Saturday, he had his way with a 49ers linebacker via a pattern down the left seam. With more playing time Monday, it will be interesting to track where Fant lines up.
3. Bryce Callahan. Callahan was a healthy scratch against Atlanta and was held out with a foot injury at Seattle. A nickel back covering the slot receiver for coach Vic Fangio in Chicago, Callahan has moved outside since signing with the Broncos. Prefoot injury, Callahan was having a terrific camp, consistently showing up during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 by being around the football. Even if just for a few snaps, Callahan’s No. 29 is one to watch. Can Marshall, who has five tackles and one pass breakup in the preseason, wedge his way onto the roster as a fourth or fifth safety? Monday will be key, because No. 3 safety Will Parks (hamstring) is out and Su’a Cravens, who is competing for the Nos. 4-5 spots, isn’t expected to play after missing three consecutive practices with an illness.
5. Ahmad Gooden. An undrafted rookie, Gooden has three tackles in 34 snaps of work through two preseason games. He could exceed that play-time total against San Francisco, because Jeff Holland was waived Aug. 11 and camp standout/fellow undrafted rookie Malik Reed missed the last three practices because of an oblique injury. Since Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and top reserve Dekoda Watson will play sparingly, Gooden has a chance to make a practicesquad case statement.