Broncos receiver and nine other players were not expected to play in Saturday’s game against Chicago.
Nine players were scratched 90 minutes before kickoff and all were injury-related: Cornerback (oblique), linebacker (hamstring), guard/center Sam Jones (back), tight end (groin), safeties Su’a Cravens (knee) and Dymonte Thomas (hamstring) and guards Menelik Watson (pectoral) and J.J. Dielman (knee).
Cravens, Watson and Fumagalli have missed both preseason games. Coach Vance Joseph said this past week he was hopeful Cravens would return to practice in time to face Washington (his former team) on Friday.
Thomas was not on the original list, but was in street clothes during warm-ups. He played against Minnesota last week and participated in practice Monday-Thursday.
Linebacker went through warmups and started at linebacker.
In uniform after sitting out last week’s game against Minnesota were cornerback Tramaine Brock (hamstring), left guard (ankle), tight end (knee), defensive lineman Clinton McDonald (shoulder) and inside linebackers (sternum) and Joseph Jones (foot).
Auction ongoing. The Broncos’ seventh annual kickoff luncheon is Aug. 29. An auction is underway online featuring 69 items and organized by Denver apharities.
Among items up for bid: A Broncos away game experience, autographed and framed jerseys of quarterback and linebacker Von Miller, game-worn cleats from cornerback Chris Harris, nose tackle and receivers Thomas and , a helmet signed by and , a football signed by Manning and a Taylor Swift-autographed Broncos jersey.
The Swift-signed jersey’s current bid is $3,100.
Fan of joint workouts. Count Elway as a supporter of joint practices. The Broncos hosted Chicago Wednesday and Thursday.
“I loved them as a player because the concentration level — you get more out of it, you work harder, you’re competing during a practice a little more because it can get a little bit old against your own guys,” Elway said. “Plus, itap a different defense and different coverages so I like them a lot.”
Another camp completed. Peko made it through his 13th NFL training camp. He sat only one practice for rest.
“Camp is never easy,” Peko said. “Camp is the toughest part of the NFL. Itap when you leave your family for about a month and you’re out here every day from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Itap a grind.
“I remember my first couple of years in the league where you had a practice with full pads and then at 4 or 5 p.m., the second one with shoulder pads. … The game is changing, the game is evolving and they’re making new rules (for camp). You’ve just got to learn how to adapt.”
Footnotes. The Broncos will finish the preseason with two short weeks — they play at Washington on Friday (5:30 p.m.) and at Arizona on Aug. 30 (8 p.m.). … A pleasant surprise during camp has been outside linebacker ’s availability. He bypassed wrist surgery in June and has not missed a practice for maintenance. “Itap football, so of course I feel (discomfort) a little bit here and there,” Ray said. “But as far as being able to play, not feeling pain and feeling comfortable feels great.” Ray said he is on his second “rough draft” brace and will get a third one made.
