Broncos Briefs MCGOVERN STARTING FOR LEARY AGAIN

Right guard Ron Leary missed his second consecutive week of practice because of a back injury and will sit out his second consecutive game when the Broncos host the Jets on Sunday. Leary and quarterback Paxton Lynch (ankle) have been ruled out for the Week 14 game. Connor McGovern will again start in Leary’s place.

The Broncos listed three other players as questionable to play against the Jets: wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), nose tackle Domata Peko (knee) and defensive end Adam Gotsis (illness).

Peko returned to practice Friday for the first time since he was carted off the field against Oakland with a sprained knee. Gotsis was absent Friday because he is the latest player to get infected with a flulike illness that has spread in the locker room.

Résumé rewarded.

Cornerback Chris Harris made the unlikely rise from undrafted to Pro Bowler but has a résumé just as impressive for his off-the-field work as it is for his on-field feats. Thursday, the Broncos selected him as their 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year, giving him another prestigious honor to recognize his contributions in the community and work through his foundation.

“It means a lot. I put a lot of time and effort in the community, back home in Tulsa and here. I just want to make sure I can give these kids the best head start in life they can possibly have,” Harris said. “... They just want to feel loved, have that attention, and that’s what we try to give them. We try to be active as much as possible and since I’ve been here since 2011, I’ve tried to do that. My wife, she puts in a crazy effort. It’s not just me. This award is for her, too.”

Short week coming.

The Broncos will have only three days of practice and recovery after Sunday’s game against the Jets. With a Thursday night game at Indianapolis to follow, Broncos coaches have already begun to study up on the Colts and will have light week of practice next week to preserve their players’ health.

“I get the concerns with the Thursday night games,” coach Vance Joseph said. “Guys play hard on Sunday and got three days rest before they play Thursday. But in my opinion, it’s a chance to win two games in five days. That’s what our time is focused on.” — Nicki Jhabvala, The Denver Post