Perhaps the Boulder boys can return the favor and watch Brian Iwuh play Sunday for the Jacksonville Jaguars at Invesco Field.
Iwuh is a Jacksonville special- teams standout and former University of Colorado linebacker who two weeks ago dropped in on his former mates, including Brad Jones, Patrick Williams, Ryan Walters and George Hypolite. All seniors, of course, as Iwuh has been gone three years.
“When they played Florida State, I was on the sidelines and it was good to see them,” Iwuh said. “I got to meet the head coach, Dan Hawkins. I’m excited what he’s doing for the program there. The future is bright there.”
Not bad testimony, considering the Buffs got beat in Tallahassee, 39-21. Now in his third season with the Jaguars, Iwuh is a rare player who plays on the four primary special teams (kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return) but still is waiting for his chance to play regularly at outside linebacker, where he is the top backup at both weakside and strongside.
“For me right now, it’s still about trying to help the team win,” Iwuh said. “I can be valuable as a special- teams player and I think I’ve been doing better on defense, so hopefully I can get some more snaps.”
Royal improving.
Rookie receiver Eddie Royal went through some light running and receiving drills Thursday but didn’t participate in any team drills. Royal suffered a sprained left ankle and bone bruise while returning a punt Sunday against Tampa Bay and figures to be listed as questionable against Jacksonville.
Veteran receiver Darrell Jackson will be working at the “z” receiver spot until Royal returns.
Defensive lineman Ebenezer Ekuban (groin) returned to practice on a limited basis.
Defensive tackle Josh Shaw (groin) continues to practice on a limited basis after missing the past two weeks.
“See how it goes,” he said. “I think we’ll make a decision on game day.”
The Iwuhs of Denver.
The Broncos have five players who play on all four special teams — rookies Spencer Larsen and Wesley Woodyard and veterans Niko Koutouvides, Louis Green and Calvin Lowry. Nate Jackson was a sixth, but he’s getting some relief this week as he moves up to replace Tony Scheffler at the team’s receiving tight end spot.
Larsen gained attention through two big hits on kickoff coverage that earned him a promotion to No. 1 fullback, but to the coaches who watch film, Woodyard has been just as impressive.
“He’s a little more behind the scenes, but if you watch some of the blocks he makes and how he takes on wedges, he just blows people up,” Larsen said of Woodyard.
“I’m one of those guys who loves to be out there for every snap,” Woodyard said.
Footnotes.
Former Broncos running back Travis Henry was released from Jefferson County Jail on Thursday after using $360,000 equity on his home and $40,000 cash Wednesday to cover his $400,000 bond. Henry has been charged with trafficking six kilos of cocaine in a drug operation that originated in Montana. . . .
Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall canceled his weekly news conference Thursday, saying he didn’t feel well.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
