The Denver Post

Takeaways: Thin defense get first three turnovers of season.

- By Kyle Newman Kyle Newman: knewman@denverpost.com or @KyleNewman­DP

CARSON, CALIF.» A bounce-back performanc­e from the Denver defense in Sunday’s 20-13 win over the Los Angeles Chargers was underscore­d by a bunch of names that didn’t appear atop the depth chart at the start of the season.

A season-ending ACL injury to Bradley Chubb last week, plus cornerback De’Vante Bausby being carted off the field with a neck injury in the first half and veteran Bryce Callahan (foot) still unable to play, left an already-thin Broncos defense even thinner in Los Angeles.

But Denver’s defense, spurred by players an average Broncos fan probably couldn’t name, responded with a house-money mentality that produced the team’s first three turnovers of 2019 and kept Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense from settling in.

“This league is a next-man-up mentality, and it’s all about opportunit­ies and what you can do to seize your moment,” safety Justin Simmons said. “Linebacker Alexander (Johnson) was one of those guys today, and when Bausby went out, we had (reserve) corners step in and play significan­t minutes. And obviously, Malik (Reed) played a lot more with Chubb being down.

“Those guys have given us a chance to stack this thing heading into next week.”

Reed, the undrafted darling of training camp, continued to prove his August hype translates to prime time. The 23-yearold demonstrat­ed gap discipline in his first start at strong-side linebacker in place of Chubb as the Broncos (1-4) held Los Angeles to 35 yards rushing and no first downs on the ground.

Meanwhile Mike Purcell, a Highlands Ranch High School product, made his first start for the Broncos in place of the inactive Adam Gotsis. He had a tackle for loss and a quarterbac­k hit for the Broncos, who signed the 28-year-old in the offseason after three years in San Francisco.

Johnson, playing in place of injured starter Josey Jewell (hamstring), also showed up at linebacker with a third-quarter intercepti­on in Denver’s end zone and nine tackles. He said his first NFL start was “a long time coming,” and his play drew the attention of coach Vic Fangio.

“I know he had some flash plays because even I noticed them from my vantage point,” Fangio said. “The big pick in the end zone saved three points minimum and maybe seven. I’m not surprised he played well. He just has to be a guy who limits the negative plays.”

Add to that the fact that Dre’Mont Jones, a backup defensive end, made Denver’s special teams play of the day with a block of Chase McLaughlin’s second-quarter field goal attempt. Plus, Duke Dawson was solid at corner with four tackles. And Davonte Harris, in his second season out of Illinois State, also saw significan­t time in the secondary in his season debut there.

“I knew after Bausby went down, I was up next,” Harris said. “I just went out and tried to fly around and make plays, just like they were already doing. That was the collective mind-set today.”

Of course, a gangbuster­s performanc­e by veteran defensive back Kareem Jackson (gamehigh 10 tackles and a forced fumble at the goal line in his return from a hamstring injury) helped the inexperien­ced guys look good.

Now, if you found yourself watching the game and Googling Johnson or Harris, you probably weren’t alone. Johnson appeared in one game with Denver in 2019 while also spending time on the practice squad. Harris appeared in three games last year.

On Sunday, they were the ones who were critical in making the initial push to turn around the Broncos’ season.

 ?? Joe Amon, The Denver Post ?? Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson stops Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler after a short pass play Sunday.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post Broncos linebacker Alexander Johnson stops Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler after a short pass play Sunday.
 ?? Joe Amon, The Denver Post ?? Broncos defensive backs Kareem Jackson (22) and Justin Simmons celebrate stopping the Chargers’ Austin Ekeler on the final play of the first half Sunday.
Joe Amon, The Denver Post Broncos defensive backs Kareem Jackson (22) and Justin Simmons celebrate stopping the Chargers’ Austin Ekeler on the final play of the first half Sunday.

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