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Calling his first NFL start for the Broncos in his hometown “surreal,” nose tackle Mike Purcell affirmed why he’s been granted a bigger role on the defensive line.

Purcell recorded five tackles, including two for loss, as the former Highlands Ranch High and University of Wyoming star plugged up the middle in Denver’s 16-0 win over Tennessee.

Purcell’s presence, in conjunction with strong games by defensive ends Derek Wolfe and Shelby Harris, helped limited the Titans to 39 yards rushing.

“It wasn’t just me — the team defense was incredible, and we kept to our assignments,” Purcell said. “We knew we had to stop the run, and that was our No. 1 priority. We had to force them to pass, and we did.”

Passing didn’t work for Tennessee, either, as starting quarterback Marcus Mariota was benched in the third quarter following two interceptions. Purcell said the past couple of games by the Broncos defense are indicative of the unit’s true potential.

“We had to keep rolling and keep pushing,” Purcell said. “Eventually things were going to crack and start to go our way. That’s part of what we saw today.”

Sanders injured. Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders was ruled out of the game at halftime because of a knee injury.聽Sanders had one catch (for no yards) in the first half.

鈥淎ll I was told was he hurt his knee a little bit and wasn鈥檛 returning; that抖阴ap all I鈥檝e got,鈥� coach Vic Fangio said afterward.

Spencer鈥檚 spark. Punt returner Diontae Spencer struggled against the Los Angeles Chargers last week, twice electing to catch punts inside his 10-yard line.聽But Spencer made a big play to start his game against the Titans. Following Tennessee鈥檚 three-and-out, Spencer returned Brett Kern鈥檚 punt 42 yards to the Titans鈥� 45-yard line. The Broncos kicked a field goal on the ensuing possession.

鈥淩egular left return and going into the game, we expected (Kern) to give us some sideline looks because he鈥檚 one of the best punters in the league,鈥� Spencer said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how many returns I would get because of how he punts. But he outkicked his coverage and I was able to get outside and get down the sideline.鈥�

Spencer鈥檚 previous long punt return this year was 17 yards.

Gotsis sits again. Defensive end Adam Gotsis was among the Broncos鈥� healthy scratches, deactivated for a second consecutive week in favor of Purcell. The other healthy inactives were tight end Troy Fumagalli, receiver Juwann Winfree and offensive tackle Calvin Anderson.聽Injured inactives were cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot, sixth consecutive missed game), right tackle Ja鈥橶uan James (knee, fifth consecutive) and cornerback Duke Dawson (foot, first). Dawson was injured when he said his foot jammed into the turf during Thursday鈥檚 practice.

Footnotes. The Broncos have had 20 enforced penalties in their last two games; they had eight for 51 yards against Tennessee. 鈥� Kansas City has been installed as a 3 1/2-point favorite Thursday night against the Broncos. 鈥� The Broncos avoided the franchise鈥檚 second 0-3 home start (1994) and their fifth 1-5 overall start (1964, 鈥�66-67 and 鈥�94).