In a surprise move Friday, the Broncos claimed punter Spencer Lanning off waivers hours before they were set to kickoff in Seattle. The team has made it clear it’s looking to keep only two kickers on the final roster, which would require one of them to double-up on duties — either kick off and punt, or kick field goals and kick off.
But veteran punter Britton Colquitt recently agreed to a reduced salary for 2015, and the Broncos subsequently waived Karl Schmitz, whom they signed in March. All signs pointed toward Colquitt remaining their punter for the season. Until Friday.
Lanning, the Browns’ full-time punter the past two seasons, has experience kicking off, and in college at South Carolina, he performed all three kicking duties.
In his first workout with the Broncos on Monday, Lanning rotated with Brandon McManus and Connor Barth in kicking off, and despite one botched kick, consistently hit them high and long.
“I think it’s obviously something that would help my cause,” he said of being about to kick off. ” It was always one of those things I had in my back pocket. I did all three in college. Coming out I was probably a better kicker than I was a punter. At pro day, I had a better day punting, so all of a sudden you’re a punter. It’s just the crazy way of the NFL.”
New gameplan. Emmanuel Sanders was with the team in Seattle and worked out beforehand, but didn’t play. He’s been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury that sidelined him for much of last week in camp and again on Monday.
Coach Gary Kubiak said the team has altered its plan for Sanders and will rest him a couple more days in camp before putting him back on the field.
Harris playing it smart. Chris Harris did not travel with the team last weekend because of a hamstring injury, but was back out in shells and a helmet Monday. He ran through individual drills but was held out of team drills as he slowly eases his way back.
Harris said he could have played Friday, but neither he nor the team wanted to risk it.
“It’s just being smart,” he said. “I don’t want to play the whole year with a nagging injury or a setback, so it’s just being smart about it and following what Greek’s (trainer Steve Antonopulos) instructions are and just going with that.”
Footnotes. Ronnie Hillman has garnered attention for his runs — and his mouthguards. The Broncos’ running back has worn mouthguards that have designs of animal fangs. … Harris and the Broncos’ secondary failed to make NFL’s Top 100 rankings, a list voted on by fellow players. But Harris received a top rating in Madden 16. “Finally to get that recognition is definitely good,” he said. “I’m actually trying to be No. 1 on there this season.”
