So much for Christian McCaffrey facing his hometown team Sunday.
McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers running back who grew up in Castle Rock, did not practice Thursday because of shoulder and quad injuries.
“He’s rehabbing and it remains to be seen where exactly he is with regard to (the quad),” Panthers coach Matt Rhule told reporters. “At this time, I do not expect him to play (Sunday against the Broncos), but I’ll continue to monitor it.”
The Panthers could also be without starting linebacker Shaq Thompson and top receivers DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel, all of whom are on the COVID-19/reserve list.
McCaffrey has been limited to three games because of ankle and shoulder injuries this year.
The Panthers’ offense has felt his absence — the Panthers are 21st in scoring (23.3 points per game) and 20th in rushing (106.4 yards per game).
Simmons nominated. For the second consecutive year, safety Justin Simmons is the Broncos’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Simmons is the fourth Broncos player to be nominated multiple times, joining receiver Rod Smith (2004, ’06), cornerback Champ Bailey (2008-09) and linebacker Wesley Woodyard (2010-11 and ’13).
“It means everything,” Simmons said. “This is the most prestigious award, in my opinion, in the NFL. I’m truly humbled once again by the nomination.”
Last year, the league flew all of the nominees to Miami for the NFL Honors event. Calais Campbell, a Denver native, was the winner. Simmons said being around the other nominees was “inspiring.”
“When I say ‘inspiring,’ it was just really cool to see the same type of passion across the league,” Simmons said.
Simmons focused his off-the-field efforts this year on COVID-19 relief and social justice initiatives and launching the Justin Simmons Foundation.
Lock added to report. Quarterback Drew Lock was added to the Broncos’ injury report (back), but was still a full practice participant.
Right guard Graham Glasgow (foot) missed a second consecutive day.
Limited were receiver Tyrie Cleveland (illness) and safety Trey Marshall (shin).
Inside linebacker Mark Barron (illness) was full-go after missing one day and the Broncos upgraded receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) and outside linebacker Malik Reed (ankle) to full after they were limited Wednesday.
Receiver/returner Diontae Spencer practiced and was activated from the COVID-19/reserve list.
Stewart announces retirement. Former Broncos safety Darian Stewart, a member of the 2015 Super Bowl championship team, announced his retirement during a video conference.
Stewart played in 143 regular-season games for St. Louis, Baltimore, the Broncos and Tampa Bay. In four years with the Broncos, he had 254 tackles, nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
“When coach (Gary) Kubiak gave a call to my agent (in March 2015) to keep Denver on my radar … it didn’t take me long to commit and it was one of the best decisions I could have made,” Stewart said.
Stewart said his post-playing career plans include his charitable foundation and also moving closer to the South Carolina campus and contributing to the Gamecocks’ program.
Former Broncos teammates Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward and Bradley Roby joined Stewartap call to congratulate him on his retirement.
Footnotes. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said safety Will Parks is already playing on all of the special teams units. “Itap great to have Will back,” McMahon said. “He still knows the scheme after being in it for two years. He rolled right into practice (Wednesday) and didn’t have to stop in the walkthroughs or go through anything with him.” … Practice squad quarterback Blake Bortles was at practice Thursday, his first sighting since the Broncos decided to keep him isolated from the other quarterbacks last week. … Tight end Jake Butt, out the last seven games (hamstring), returned to practice to start his 21-day clock to be activated from injured reserve.
