Young players get time as starters take day off

Player attendance

Did not practice (injured). TE Jeff Heuerman (knee, eighth missed practice), S Su’a Cravens (knee, sixth), TE Troy Fumagalli (groin, second), ILB Joseph Jones (foot, second), DL Clinton McDonald (shoulder, first) and RG Menelik Watson (pectoral, first).

Did not practice (day off). WR Emmanuel Sanders, CB Chris Harris, S Darian Stewart, OLB Von Miller, WR Demaryius Thomas and DE Derek Wolfe.

Physically unable to perform. WR Jordan Taylor (hips). Did-not-report list. WR Carlos Henderson and WR Jimmy Williams.

Returned to practice. CB Tramaine Brock returned after missing six consecutive practices.

New injuries

•ILB Todd Davis took a helmet to the sternum and left practice. •WR Isaiah McKenzie went to the locker room clutching his right arm but returned to practice.

Top play

WR Tim Patrick used all 6 feet, 4 inches of his frame to reach high for QB Paxton Lynch’s pass for a touchdown early in 11-on-11 work.

Thumbs up

CB Bradley Roby. Made a diving interception of a Case Keenum pass that appeared to be tipped at the line of scrimmage.

Thumbs down

Dropped passes. During individual drills, WR Philly Brown and WR River Cracraft had drops, and WR Mark Chapman had one in 11-on-11 work. Tight end depth. Matt LaCosse, Brian Parker and Austin Traylor had better be ready to play a lot Saturday. Jeff Heuerman and Troy Fumagalli are injured, and Jake Butt’s snaps will be managed.

Odds and ends

• The injury news may not be good for McDonald. Coach Vance Joseph said the issue is with the same shoulder that kept McDonald out for the entire offseason program. McDonald was being counted on to provide an interior pass rush and depth. • Young players moved up a spot on the depth chart because of several veterans getting the day off. “It was good,” Joseph said. “It’s always good to see those guys became 1s for the day, especially 14 (Courtland Sutton) and 17 (DaeSean Hamilton) in the huddle with Case (Keenum). … It wasn’t much drop-off as far as knowing what to do, and that’s important. Obviously, those two guys are talented, so if 88 (Demaryius Thomas) and 10 (Emmanuel Sanders) go down, I think we’re in good shape with 14 and 17. Again, it’s practice, it’s scripted plays and a controlled environment, so we’ll see on Saturday how our young guys improve.”

• Other players who got a shot with the first team were Cracraft, Traylor, CB Brendan Langley, LB Zaire Anderson and RT Elijah Wilkinson. On the second team, Billy Turner saw guard reps (previously the right tackle for most of camp).

• QB Chad Kelly wrapped up his first 11-on-11 period with five consecutive completions.

• It probably would not be called a fight, but most of the linemen gathered during one-on-one drills. DT Cashaud Lyons appeared the most livid and had to be restrained.

• CB Michael Hunter and CB Marcus Rios had pass breakups during 11-on-11.

• During a run-game drill, OLB Jeff Holland popped Wilkinson twice in the face mask, but Wilkinson did not retaliate. That would have earned Holland a penalty in a game.

• S Jamal Carter jumped offside for

a penalty.

• Joseph, on facing Minnesota on Saturday: “I’m not concerned about the wins and losses. I’m concerned with how we play.” • Joseph said the Broncos will “probably” practice in helmets Thursday after seven consecutive practices in pads. “It’s time to get guys fresh,” Joseph said. “Obviously, you want guys to be fresh to help them put their best foot forward. That’s only fair for the players.”

• Bovada has posted its odds for NFL defensive player of the year and Miller is fifth on the board at 9-to-1. The top four are Houston OLB/DE J.J. Watt (5-to-1 despite coming off a torn ACL), Chargers DE Joey Bosa (11-to-2), Rams DL Aaron Donald (11-to-2, who is holding out of camp) and Oakland DE/OLB Khalil Mack (11to-2, who is holding out of camp). Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb is the top rookie on the board, tied at 50-to-1 with Houston OLB Jadeveon Clowney, Jacksonville OLB Myles Jack and New Orleans CB Marshon Lattimore.

Thursday’s schedule

9:30 a.m. practice (open to the public).