Gordon returns to practice
Broncos’ RB arrested for DUI Tuesday
ENGLEWOOD — Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon returned to practice Thursday two days after his arrest in Denver on driving under the influence and speeding and one day after coach Vic Fangio held him out of practice.
“We obviously have had a couple of discussions with him (Wednesday-thursday),” Fangio said. “Obviously, it’s a matter that is going to be punished pretty strongly from the league standpoint. We’re working through, from our standpoint, if we’re going to do much more than what the league will do because what the league will do will be pretty substantial.”
Fangio wouldn’t commit to having Gordon inactive or deactivated for Sunday’s game at New England.
“We’ll make a decision as it relates to us by gametime,” Fangio said.
The Broncos must turn in their inactive list of players 90 minutes before kickoff.
Reading between Fangio’s words suggests Gordon will be in uniform if the Broncos believe the league’s likely suspension is enough of a punishment. The current collective bargaining agreement allows the NFL to suspend a player for three games due to a DUI incident and as Fangio pointed out, the Broncos have no input in the potential discipline.
“The league will withhold their actions until it’s been run through the judicial system; it’s undetermined when that would happen,” he said.
Through four games, Gordon leads the Broncos in rushing attempts (65), yards (281) and touchdowns (three). He also has 11 catches for 45 yards and one touchdown.
Gordon was driving 71 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over by Denver police near Fifth Avenue and Speer Boulevard, according to a probable cause statement. Gordon consented to a field sobriety test, which he failed.
Gordon is set for arraignment on Nov. 13.
No setback for Lock
Quarterback Drew Lock went through a full practice Thursday for the second consecutive day, another signal he is trending toward starting Sunday after missing the past two games with a right shoulder injury.
“There were no setbacks (after Wednesday’s practice),” Fangio said. “He definitely could start Sunday as it looks now, but we’ll hold on making that final. He had a good practice (Thursday).”
Bolles absent
Left tackle Garett Bolles missed practice because of a family matter.
“He was here for meetings and left to attend to that and came back some time in the middle of practice,” Fangio said.
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (quad) and receiver KJ Hamler (hamstring) also did not practice.
Tight end Noah Fant (ankle) did limited work and Fangio said he is “truly questionable — 50-50,” to face the Patriots.
Notable
Defensive ends Demarcus Walker (calf) and Dre’mont Jones (knee) continued to do side-field work, but Fangio said they are ineligible to return from injured reserve because the rule is for three games, not three weeks. He said Walker and Jones have a “good chance” of being available in Week 7 vs. Kansas City.