LB Ray, TE Butt return to practice
Broncos practice Wednesday included two additions in outside linebacker Shane Ray and rookie tight end Jake Butt.
Ray, who was designated a short-term injured reserve player, hadn’t practiced since injuring his wrist early in training camp and subsequently undergoing surgery. He is expected to make his 2017 debut in Week 8 at Kansas City.
Butt, still on the reserve/nonfootball injury list because of an ACL injury suffered at Michigan, could play “any day now,” coach Vance Joseph said, though it’s unlikely Butt will play Sunday at Los Angeles against the Chargers. The Broncos have a three-week window to add him to the active roster.
“Jake Butt looked great,” Joseph said Wednesday. He added: “He caught the ball well. Obviously he hasn’t played football so he’s out of shape. But he’s definitely getting better every day as far as getting in football shape and hopefully we can get him up soon. Shane Ray, he looked great also. Not in football shape, but he worked hard today.”
Added Ray: “The hand technique, the speed, the get-off — everything was where it needed to be. Just finishing that one last step. For me, it’s just knocking the dust off. I’m still doing what I was doing before.”
Injury updates.
The Broncos list of injuries was the longest it’s been since the start of the regular season. Receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Isaiah McKenzie, both wearing boots because of their ankle injuries, were absent from practice and will be out for Sunday’s game. Right offensive tackle Menelik Watson, also seen wearing a boot in the locker room, is day to day with a calf strain and did not practice. Nor did receiver Demaryius Thomas (lower calf bruise), receiver Cody Latimer (knee), quarterback Paxton Lynch (shoulder) and inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (right shoulder).
Joseph said Marshall injured his shoulder about two weeks ago and played through the pain, but it affected his ability to tackle against the New York Giants.
“We have to see how he progresses this week if he’s going to play or not,” Joseph said. “But if he’s sore and can’t tackle, he cannot play. Hopefully he gets it better as the week goes on.”
Quarterback Trevor Siemian practiced in full Wednesday, after missing a series in last Sunday’s game with a left shoulder injury. Joseph, as well as Siemian, said he’s fine. Joseph also said Thomas will be OK to play Sunday but, “he needs one more day just to get it right.”
Cornerback Aqib Talib, running back Jamaal Charles and nose tackle Domata Peko received their usual veteran day off, and tight end A.J. Derby did not practice because he and his wife were expecting their first child.
Open spot.
The Broncos have a vacant spot on the active roster since they released Ahtyba Rubin and placed Billy Turner on injured reserve. Wednesday they announced the promotion of receiver Hunter Sharp and addition of River Cracraft to the practice squad. Joseph said they are exploring all their options to fill the last spot — and they will fill it.
“It could be a number of things,” Joseph said. “It could be a lineman this week, it could be something else. But it’s being explored.”
The Broncos are now thin on the offensive line in the wake of Turner’s hand injury and Watson’s day-to-day status. Wednesday, Stephenson and Allen Barbre both received time at practice at right tackle.
Support for Siemian.
Siemian’s up-and-down game against the Giants in which he threw a careerhigh 376 yards but had a pair of brutal interceptions hasn’t cost him support from his coach.
“Trevor is our quarterback. Right now we’re 3-2 and as a team we’re getting better,” Joseph said. “Nothing has been perfect. No one has been perfect, including myself. Absolutely, he’s our quarterback.”