Fangio on starter: “Nothing has been finalized”

During Thursday morning’s practice, Broncos quarterback Drew Lock took the initial firstteam offensive snap for the second consecutive day, yet another sign he will start Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

But there was no figurative white smoke rising from the Broncos’ facility via coach Vic Fangio.

“End of the week,” Fangio said. “Nothing has been finalized.”

Asked about Lock’s practice on Wednesday, Fangio said: “I think he felt more and more comfortable as the practice went on.”

Said offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello: “He’s coming along nicely. He’s kind of on the path we expected him to be on. We’re working him in with everyone else and just getting him to play football again because he hasn’t had a lot of snaps in a long time.”

Miller sits out again.

The Broncos practiced outside Thursday morning in 23-degree weather.

Sitting out a second consecutive day were outside linebacker Von Miller (knee), cornerback Duke Dawson (concussion) and inside linebacker Alexander Johnson (knee).

Cornerback Chris Harris and defensive end Derek Wolfe, who both sat out Wednesday (rest), returned as did defensive end Shelby Harris (ankle) and inside linebacker Josey Jewell (ankle).

Fangio said Johnson was injured late in the loss to Buffalo and “his availability for (Sunday) is up in the air.” If Johnson can’t play, Fanone gio said Jewell is the first option, followed by Joe Jones and Josh Watson.

Right tackle Ja’Wuan James (knee) was full Wednesday, creating optimism he can play against the Chargers. James has been limited to 32 snaps this year (10 in Week 1 at Oakland and 22 in Week 8 at Indianapolis).

“I think (James) got better as (Wednesday’s) practice wore on,” Fangio said. “Probably a little sore (Thursday) because he hadn’t worked that hard of late. We’re hopeful he’ll be able to play some in the game, but still to be determined.”

Takeaway woes.

The Broncos enter Week 13 with only 10 takeaways, tied with Atlanta and Cincinnati for second-fewest in the NFL, ahead of only Miami (nine).

The Broncos are on pace for 14.5 takeaways, which would be second-worst in franchise history (13 in 2008). They had no takeaways during their 0-4 start.

The Broncos have scored only 10 points off takeaways, the lowest total in the league by 14 points (the Chargers are second-to-last with 24).

After three takeaways, the Broncos have turned it right back over, including Brandon Allen interceptions against Minnesota and Buffalo the last two weeks.

Creating hope. The NFL’s communications department rolled out data earlier this week to give teams with losing records some hope.

In 13 of the past 15 years, at least

team with a sub-.500 record after 11 games has rallied to make the playoffs. And since 1990, the first year of the current 12-team playoff format, 21 teams in 29 years have pulled the feat.

The Broncos have never done it during that span.

Four teams had four or fewer wins: San Diego in 1995 (4-7) and 2008 (4-7), Jacksonville in 1996 (4-7) and Carolina in 2014 (3-7-1). That should make the current Chargers (4-7) hopeful.

Among the 21 teams, 17 had a 5-6 record, including Philadelphia last year, but none were as bad as the Broncos’ current 3-8 record.

Footnotes.

Receiver Courtland Sutton is not on the injury report after dealing with an ankle injury against Buffalo. “Everybody is going through some nicks and bruises at this point of the season, but it’s all about taking care of it so they don’t linger into the next week,” said Sutton, who has not missed game in his two pro seasons.

Miller and former Broncos pass rusher DeMarcus Ware will be featured as defensive end finalists for the NFL’s 100 All-Time Team episode that airs Friday at 6 p.m. on NFL Network. The show will reveal seven defensive ends and defensive tackles apiece and 12 linebackers.

Among the brave few individuals to wear shorts at practice on Thursday were right tackle Elijah Wilkinson and tight ends coach Wade Harman.