The Broncos were on the field Tuesday at Dove Valley for the first of their 10 organized team activities. A recap of OTA No. 1:
Five players did not participate because of injuries: Guard Ronald Leary (knee soreness), right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot), tight end Troy Fumagalli (sports hernia) and defensive lineman Clinton McDonald (shoulder).
Veldheer did side field work — he ended last year with Arizona on injured reserve.
“We’re just being smart there,” coach Vance Joseph said. “Itap OTAs, obviously, and we want to get him totally healthy before he plays again.”
The other players were spectators.
“Our goal is to get out of OTAs healthy and to go to training camp with a full roster of healthy players,” Joseph said.
Ray wears brace. Outside linebacker Shane Ray, wearing a brace on his surgically-repaired left wrist, said he was not surprised the Broncos declined to pick up his 2019 contract option.
“Itap business,” Ray said. “Unfortunately, my injury happened. Invest $9 million in a guy who had three wrist surgeries the year prior? Maybe not. I can’t blame (general manager) John (Elway) for that, but I can’t focus on that. Thatap not something I’m going to allow to mess up my focus or commitment to the team. I’m going to play as hard as I can and do what I was brought here to do.”
Watson at guard. Menelik Watson, a career offensive tackle in the NFL, worked at guard. Garett Bolles is the left tackle and Veldheer is the projected right tackle so the Broncos are trying to find out if Watson can be a swing player.
Joseph answered, “We’ll see,” when asked if Watson is a full-time guard.
“He’s played tackle his entire career so we’re going to see how he plays at guard,” Joseph said. “OTAs, especially with the O-line, are to allow guys to play different positions.”
QB chemistry. Quarterback Case Keenum on building chemistry with the Broncos’ receivers: “There’s a lot there already but I’m always looking for more; those guys are always looking for more. I would say we’re trying to get more and more and more on the same page. You’re trying to keep on building it. You’re never satisfied with where you’re at. We did some good stuff today; we did some stuff we have to learn from, too.”
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