The Broncos held the first of three mandatory minicamp practices today. Here is a recap:
Injury report. The usual group of players who have not worked at all during OTAs continued to work on the side. Guard Ron Leary (knee), right tackle Jared Veldheer (foot), tight end Troy Fumagalli (groin), receiver (hips) and defensive lineman Clinton McDonald (shoulder). Linebacker Shane Ray (wrist) was a spectator.
Ray said he will have surgery Thursday and it will involve a bone scan. He’s hopeful to be ready for the Sept. 9 opener against Seattle.
Coach Vance Joseph said Leary and Veldheer will be ready for training camp.
Thomas injured. Receiver Demaryius Thomas was unable to finish practice because of what Joseph called a “tweaked” foot. Trainers attended to Thomas, who tried to lightly job on the side before shutting it down.
Tryout players. Six players are here this week on a tryout basis — punter Colby Wadman (UC Davis), linebackers T.J. McCollum (Purdue) and Bo Bower (Iowa), defensive ends Antonio Simmons (Georgia Tech) and Nordly Capi (Colorado State/Akron) and defensive tackle Caushaud Lyons (Tusculum).
The Broncos have one open roster spot.
Moving up. As expected, Bradley Chubb took most of the first-team defense work even though Joseph pointed out he had been taking first-team reps before Ray’s re-injury.
— who did not practice last Monday when the media was allowed to watch — took the first-team right tackle reps. filled in for Leary at right guard.
Practice highlights. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker was pulled off the field for a snap after jumping off-sides. … Quarterback Chad Kelly showed good arm strength by delivering a dart to receiver John Diarse on an out route. … Thomas was injured during the first-team offense’s second series of 11-on-11 work. … Linebacker Marcus Rush showed good awareness backing into zone coverage to break up a pass to the left sideline. … Cornerback Chris Harris intercepted on a pass intended for Isaiah McKenzie. … Safety Dymonte Thomas and cornerback C.J. Smith had pass break-ups against Lynch during a six-play segment. … Defensive end Zach Kerr batted down a Kelly pass. … Each of the running backs — , Royce Freeman, David Williams and Phillip Lindsay — took reps with the first team. … Receiver Courtland Sutton had four catches during 11-on-11.
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