After finalizing their 53-man roster, the Broncos released an updated depth chart Sunday in advance of their season-opening rematch with the Carolina Panthers. Some quick hits:
- At quarterback, Paxton Lynch moves up to No. 2 following the release of Mark Sanchez. Newcomer Austin Davis sits at No. 3 behind Lynch and starter Trevor Siemian as he learns the new system.
- An elbow injury that has sidelined Ty Sambrailo for the entire preseason has shifted the line and opened a window for others to move up. Michael Schofield will start inside at right guard, with Darrion Weems as his backup.
“We think he’s earned that opportunity,” coach Gary Kubiak said of Schofield. “He’s had a really good camp. He’s played everywhere. He’s settled down over the last two weeks and played the guard position with Weems out (concussions during preseason). Michael’s earned that right.”
Second-year lineman Max Garcia will man the left side, with rookie Connor McGovern spelling him. And Sambrailo will be the reserve for both Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson at left and right tackle, respectively.
- Special teams is pulling from its veteran receivers on returns. Cody Latimer is the No. 1 kick returner now, with Jordan Norwood as his backup. And Norwood, who holds the record for the longest punt return (61 yards) in a Super Bowl, is the leading punt returner, with Emmanuel Sanders as his backup. Last season, Norwood returned six punts for 51 yards (8.5 average) and two kickoffs for 29 yards (14.5). Sanders returned 17 punts for 103 yards (6.1 average) and one kickoff for 13 yards.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Trevor Siemian
Paxton Lynch
Austin Davis
Wide receiver
Demaryius Thomas
Bennie Fowler
Jordan Taylor
Left tackle
Russell Okung
Ty Sambrailo
Left guard
Max Garcia
Connor McGovern
Center
Matt Paradis
James Ferentz
Right guard
Michael Schofield
Darrion Weems
Right tackle
Donald Stephenson
Ty Sambrailo
Tight end
Virgil Green
Jeff Heuerman
John Phillips
Wide receiver
Emmanuel Sanders
Cody Latimer
Jordan Norwood
Running back
C.J. Anderson
Devontae Booker
Kapri Bibbs
Fullback
Andy Janovich
DEFENSE
Left defensive end
Derek Wolfe
Billy Winn
Nose tackle
Sylvester Williams
Darius Kilgo
Kyle Peko
Right defensive end
Jared Crick
Adam Gotsis
Strongside linebacker
Von Miller
Shaquil Barrett
Dekoda Watson
Weakside linebacker
DeMarcus Ware
Shane Ray
Inside linebacker
Brandon Marshall
Corey Nelson
Inside linebacker
Todd Davis
Zaire Anderson
Left cornerback
Aqib Talib
Kayvon Webster
Right cornerback
Chris Harris
Bradley Roby
Lorenzo Doss
Strong safety
T.J. Ward
Will Parks
Shiloh Keo (suspended list for two weeks)
Free safety
Darian Stewart
Justin Simmons
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
Brandon McManus
Kickoff
Brandon McManus
Punter
Riley Dixon
Kick returner
Cody Latimer
Jordan Norwood
Punt returner
Jordan Norwood
Emmanuel Sanders
Long snapper
Casey Kreiter
Holder
Riley Dixon
