The Broncos began their organized team activities Tuesday, but were missing a few key faces on the field. Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware was absent because of his back, which held him out of five games last season.
Coach Gary Kubiak said Ware’s back is bothering him, but his absence was “probably more preventative than anything. He’s going to be a day-to-day participant. I’m going to have about 10 guys who go every other day. We’ll probably make decisions on DeMarcus day-to-day on how he’s feeling.”
Tight end Virgil Green was in attendance, but did not participate because he is recovering from finger surgery, Kubiak said. Green is expected to miss at least a portion of OTAs because of the injury.
With second-year tight end Jeff Heuerman back from a knee injury, Green’s opportunity to earn time on the field could be limited. But Kubiak didn’t seem concerned.
“I think it’s just opportunity, really. Obviously there’s going to be a lot more out there, but Virgil’s a worker and has got a lot of confidence in what he’s doing,” Kubiak said. “He knows what we’re doing now, so I think he’ll be very competitive to be on the field.”
Also sidelined on Day 1 of OTAs was defensive lineman Kenny Anunike.
Anunike was placed on season-ending injured reserve last November after having his knee scoped following the team’s first preseason game, in August.
Joining him on the sideline was second-round draft pick Adam Gotsis, who still is recovering from knee surgery.
Fourth-round selection Devontae Booker also is recovering from two knee surgeries, and was limited to individual work.
Bibbs answers call. With Booker in the fold, the competition at running back got steep for players on the bubble, such as Kapri Bibbs and Juwan Thompson. But Kubiak said he came away from Day 1 impressed by the year-over-year jump made by Bibbs.
“I really try to grab guys like that and say, ‘You know, they’re not going to let you hang out and be on the practice squad and be the fourth guy. They don’t let you do that. It’s time to make a jump,’ Kubiak said. “So I think he’s taken this offseason very serious. He’s worked hard for (strength and conditioning coach) Luke (Richesson) and he looked like a different guy. Well, he has been a different guy throughout the course of the offseason, and it showed today.”
Booker’s comments. Kubiak hadn’t heard Booker’s comments that he is out to take someone’s job, and not to carry pads.
Kubiat didn’t seem to mind.
“I would hope they’re all here that way,” Kubiak said. “They have confidence in what they’re doing. We got some new guys that can help our team and help us quick, but like I told them after practice, they got to prove to the team they can help them. I love confidence, but you got to back up confidence with work.”
C.J. Anderson, Booker’s top competition at the position, had a similar reaction.
“That doesn’t bother me,” Anderson said. “To be honest, him carrying pads, him not carrying pads — that doesn’t matter. So long as he comes to work. If he comes to work, he’ll get the respect.”
Footnotes. Anderson competed in his first Professional Bowlers Association tournament, the Planet Bowl Southwest Open, in Oklahoma City last weekend and tied for 64th out of 71. He will compete in another PBA tournament — his last of the offseason — June 3-5 in Jonesboro, Ark. … Emmanuel Sanders jumped 21 spots from No. 95 last year to No. 74 this year in the NFL Network’s top 100 players, a list voted by players. “I”m not satisfied with that, but I’m always grateful for it. You always want to be the best.”
