Broncos will bring short roster to S.F.

The Broncos are taking a depleted roster to the Bay Area, where they’ll practice twice with the 49ers in advance of their preseason game Saturday.

“I know we’re going to compete, but the main thing is keeping both sides healthy,” receiver Demaryius Thomas said.

After watching defensive linemen Billy Winn (ACL), Derek Wolfe (ankle) and Jared Crick (back) get carted off the field over a five-day span, Denver kept a summer-high eight players out of Tuesday’s practice because of injuries.

They included receiver Cody Latimer (sore knee) and rookie linebacker DeMarcus Walker (hip-flexor), both of whom are expected to return to practice in California.

However, Wolfe, Crick and safety T.J. Ward (hamstring) were staying behind.

The Broncos are down to seven interior defensive linemen for three positions, but they’re hoping to avoid bringing in more reinforcements. Wolfe and Crick are expected to be ready for the season opener.

Injury news: Miami cornerback Tony Lippett will miss the season with a torn Achilles tendon . ... Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman is likely to be out for at least two months after injuring his ankle in the preseason opener . ... The Lions put defensive end Kerry Hyder on injured reserve after he hurt his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s preseason game at Indianapolis . ... Minnesota wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (hamstring) has returned to practice after a two-week absence . ... Jets wide receiver Lucky Whitehead has a broken foot and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Suspension appealed: The NFL Players Association has appealed Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension over the league’s conclusion that its 2016 rushing leader injured his former girlfriend in three separate incidents last summer.

The NFL suspended Elliott last week after a yearlong investigation into an Ohio domestic-violence case that prosecutors declined to pursue. Elliott’s attorneys blasted Commission Roger Goodell’s ruling, saying the league “cherry-picked” evidence to reach its conclusion.

Briefly: The Panthers signed outside linebacker Thomas Davis to a one-year extension, keeping him with the team through 2018 . ... The Eagles released Ryan Mathews after the 2011 Pro Bowl running back was cleared to return to football activities following neck surgery. Mathews played two seasons with the Eagles after spending his first five years in San Diego. He had 1,200 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns for Philadelphia.