With the Broncos second preseason game on deck tonight — the Buffalo Bills come to Denver — the team’s starters are expected to play deep into the second quarter before calling it a night.
Some things the Broncos need to see:
Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal were held out of some practices this week because of knee and hip soreness, respectively. If one, or both, plays Saturday it may not be for long.
Coach John Fox has said he wants to take no chances on the injury front in the preseason and his ultimate goal is “to have as many players healthy and 100 percent for the opener.”
So, it could be an evening for folks like Matt Willis, Britt Davis, David Anderson and Eron Riley to get noticed in the offense.
The Broncos have 11 wide receivers on the roster, a total that includes the injured Demaryius Thomas, who is likely to open the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The team figures to keep five or six, so it’s time to make a move on the depth chart.
Orton has been largely unchallenged on the field for the starter’s job because of his consistent play, but he could still use a nice outing to settle the ticket-buying masses.
Orton has bristled at times at the hoopla surrounding the team’s quarterbacks, especially since Tim Tebow is largely the people’s choice in some circles no matter how things go in practice.
And much like the crowd turned nasty on Orton in his first scrimmage with the team in 2009 — he threw three interceptions in a practice-scrimmage at the stadium and was booed by the home fans — things could get a little grumpy in this one as well if the starting offense doesn’t have a good night.
Tebow will be cheered whenever he takes the field, but his immediate concern is to show some patience and play the position from the pocket.
And most teams, Broncos included, really start to refine their depth chart after the second preseason game because the team’s front-line players will get much of the work in the third preseason game.
That means the players in the second and third slots on the depth chart have to show something, especially on special teams.
And since the Broncos figure to take a long look at defensive and offensive linemen after the cuts come league-wide, tonight would be a good night for some of those backup players to have some impact.
Dennis Allen’s group wants to see more.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
