MILLER GETS SACKS, FORCED FUMBLES FOR FOURTH TIME

Including the playoffs, Broncos linebacker Von Miller recorded multiple sacks and forced fumbles in the same game for the fourth time in his career during Thursday’s 4510 win over Arizona.

Miller has had 3 ½ sacks in the past two games after getting blanked in losses to Baltimore, Kansas City and the N.Y. Jets.

Consider his slump over. Miller enters the weekend with an NFLhigh 7 ½ sacks, just ahead of Minnesota’s Danielle Hunter and Houston’s J.J. Watt (seven apiece).

“Von’s (at) his best when we’re playing with a lead,” coach Vance Joseph said. “That’s never going to change. I’m not surprised he won a lot (on Thursday).”

On Tuesday, Miller said the Broncos were going to “kick (Arizona’s behind).” His play matched his words.

“I was proud how he played the game,” Joseph said. “You can speak those words, but you’ve got to back them up and he did that. His teammates also backed him up.”

Said Miller: “I feel like I need to get sacks each and every week. (The comments) weren’t really any added pressure to my individual performance. I knew my brothers had me.”

Injury update.

Joseph said cornerback Adam Jones (thigh) is expected to be available Oct. 27 at Kansas City and right tackle Jared Veldheer (knee) and linebacker Shane Ray (ankle) are both “close” to being cleared. All three missed the Arizona game.

Running back Royce Freeman sustained an ankle sprain against the Cardinals. “Hopefully he makes it to K.C.,” Joseph said.

Receiver DaeSean Hamilton (knee) is day to day, but there is concern about safety Darian Stewart, who left the game with a neck injury. Joseph said Stewart sustained his third stinger in as many weeks.

The team is off FridaySunday. “We are sore and a little bit beat up,” Joseph said. “The training room is full of players.”

Pleased with OL.

The Broncos offensive line was without Veldheer or left guard Ron Leary (out for the year with an Achilles’ injury), but Joseph gave the line a passing grade. Max Garcia started at left guard, Billy Turner at right tackle and Connor McGovern returned to his right guard spot after Garcia started there against the Rams.

“It was good to see all those young guys play so well,” Joseph said.

Said left tackle Garett Bolles: “We set the tone. It just came down to us moving (the Cardinals) off the ball and we executed enough to get the win.”

Footnotes.

Joseph on running back Phillip Lindsay: “Thank God for the little guy. It’s not an accident he’s making plays. Whatever he’s given each week, he’s making the best of.” … Joseph said he did not consider replacing quarterback Case Keenum or any other starters once the score became lopsided. “We didn’t want to go out and get sloppy,” he said. “I wanted to finish the game right.” … The players noticed how many Broncos fans attended Thursday’s game. “That was unbelievable,” Keenum said. “It felt like a home game there. It’s awesome.”