Ahead of Saturday’s 2 p.m. deadline to establish an initial 53-man roster, here is a final projection of who stays and who goes:

Quarterback (3)

In: , Kevin Hogan and Drew Lock.

Out: Brett Rypien.

Comment: Lock’s right thumb injury meant keeping Hogan as the No. 2 entering the season. The guess here is Lock is placed on injured reserve on Sunday, meaning he can return later this year.

Running back (6)

In: , , , , (FB) and George Aston (FB).

Out: Devontae Jackson, Khalfani Muhammad and .

Comment: One more tailback and fullback apiece than the Broncos would normally keep. Riddick (shoulder) and Janovich (pectoral) are injured reserve candidates on Sunday.

Tight end (4)

In: , Noah Fant, and .

Out: Orson Charles and Moral Stephens.

Comment: Charles could spend 24 hours off the Broncos roster if they wait until Sunday to place Butt on injured reserve. Charles would then take Butt����ap roster spot.

Receiver (5)

In: , , , and Juwann Winfree.

Out: Trinity Benson, Fred Brown, , Steven Dunbar, Brendan Langley and Kelvin McKnight.

Comment: The extra numbers at tailback and fullback prevent the Broncos from keeping a sixth receiver. But that could change by Monday after the injured reserve is filled out.

Offensive line (7)

In: Garett Bolles (LT), Dalton Risner (LG), ( C), (RG), Ja’Wuan James (RT), (OT/G) and (G/C).

Out: Quinn Bailey (OT), Don Barclay (G), Adam Bisnowaty (OT), Jake Brendel (C/G), Ryan Crozier (C ), Chas Green (OT), Sam Jones (G), Tyler Jones (OT), John Leglue (OT) and Jake Rodgers (OT).

Comment: The Broncos would be smart to look at the waiver wire offensive tackles since Wilkinson will need to continue working at right guard as long as Leary’s knee keeps on barking.

Defensive line (5)

In: (DE), (DE), Shelby Harris (NT), Dre’Mont Jones (DE) and DeShawn Williams (NT).

Out: Mike Purcell (NT), Deyon Sizer (DE) and DeMarcus Walker (DE).

Comment: Zach Kerr’s release on Monday creates a roster spot for Williams as the backup nose tackle. The Broncos give up on Walker, a 2017 second-round pick.

Outside linebacker (4)

In: , , Justin Hollins and Malik Reed.

Out: Ahmad Gooden and Dadi Nicolas.

Comment: Hollins and Reed were going to be on the roster even before veteran Dekoda Watson was released on Monday. Nicolas could be a candidate to be signed on Sunday after the injured reserve moves create room.

Inside linebacker (6)

In: Josey Jewell, , Alexander Johnson, Josh Watson, and Joe Jones.

Out: Jamal Carter and Joe Dineen (IR).

Comment: Davis (calf) hasn’t practiced since July 18 and Jones (triceps) hasn’t practiced since the Aug. 1 game against Atlanta. Watson makes it as an undrafted free agent.

Cornerback (5)

In: , Bryce Callahan, Isaac Yiadom, De’Vante Bausby and Trey Johnson.

Out: Rashard Causey and Linden Stephens.

Comment: Pretty clear cut throughout camp and the fact Callahan (foot) went through practice on Monday-Tuesday is a sign he’ll be ready for Week 1 and a fifth corner doesn’t need to be kept.

Safety (5)

In: , , , Alijah Holder, Shamarko Thomas and Trey Marshall.

Out: Su’a Cravens and Dymonte Thomas (IR).

Comment: We throw a curveball by adding Holder to the roster because he worked some at safety in the San Francisco preseason game and provides a better special teams presence than Cravens.

Specialists (3)

In: (K), Colby Wadman (P) and (LS).

Out: None.

Comment: McManus, Wadman and Kreiter had no competition on the roster once the preseason games started.

But the greatest cause for excitement on Thursday night at Broncos Stadium? Following six weeks of practice and five exhibition games the preseason is mercifully over after a 20-7 Broncos victory against the Cardinals. Now ahead for Denver is Saturday’s 2 p.m. deadline to make 53-man roster cuts and Sunday’s waiver claiming period and practice squad formation.

The Broncos entered their preseason finale publicly undecided on who will back up starting quarterback in Week 1 — Kevin Hogan or Brett Rypien — while second-round rookie Drew Lock recovers from a right thumb sprain.

“I think (Hogan and Rypien) played OK,” coach Vic Fangio said. “It����ap been a lot like how they’ve played most of the preseason; I see some good plays, plays you think you can win with and then some plays that are not so good. Not that anybody plays a perfect game, but we have to eliminate some (plays) that aren’t good for us and be more consistent.”

Hogan earned the start against Arizona and his opening drive sparkled with consecutive completions to wide receiver Fred Brown for 15 and 25 yards. Another dart to wide receiver Juwann Winfree put Denver in scoring range. But Hogan overthrew running back Khalfani Muhammad streaking open toward the end zone on a third-down play and the Broncos settled for a 50-yard field goal to take the lead.

RELATED: Who stays, who goes? Final projection for Broncos 53-man roster

It highlighted a negative preseason trend for the Broncos entering Thursday night: Seven field goals to four touchdowns.

Hogan, facing third-and-long from the Arizona 44-yard line, took another first-quarter shot at the end zone and overthrew wide receiver Kelvin McKnight. Hogan was later intercepted twice; on a tipped pass intended for wide receiver Brendan Langley and on an end-of-half Hail Mary attempt. Hogan finished the night 12-of-23 passing for 138 yards and did not play in the second half.

Denver’s initial defensive effort was far more impressive. The Cardinals’ opening offensive possession with quarterback Brett Hundley ended in a three-and-out after rookie linebacker Justin Hollins chased Hundley out of the pocket and dragged him down for a sack. Arizona attempted a fourth-down play one series later and rookie defensive end Malik Reed demolished Hundley on an inside rush. It was the first of two sacks for Reed, who finished the preseason with four in three games. He did not play in the second half.

The Broncos recorded their first takeaway in the second quarter when inside linebacker Josh Watson punched the football away from Arizona tight end Ricky Seals-Jones with safety Trey Marshall on the recovery. It set up Hogan’s best drive of the day: 13 plays, 78 yards and capped with a perfectly thrown corner fade touchdown to Brown — a third-year receiver from Ole Miss who hauled in five receptions for 55 yards and a score in the first half.

Hogan, a fourth-year pro, completed the preseason with lackluster overall production: 33-of-65 passing for 311 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and a 50.8 rating. But Rypien, an undrafted rookie, did little to challenge for the backup role Thursday in the second half. The former Boise State star went 8-of-11 passing for 86 yards with an interception and no touchdowns.

Hogan was asked postgame whether he had done enough to secure the backup job.

“My resume the last month-and-a-half, I’m proud of it,” Hogan said. “I feel like I’m playing good football. Although the preseason games didn’t always go the way you’d hoped, I feel like throughout camp I played some really good football and have the confidence of my teammates and coaches. It����ap out of my control, but I’m very happy with how I played.”

Added Rypien: “From my standpoint, I just wanted to progress from the last game. I felt like I did that. … I’ve still got a long way to go to be a guy in this league, but at the same time I know what I need to work on and I know that I’ll do that for sure.”

The Cardinals clawed back in the third quarter when quarterback Drew Anderson connected with wide receiver A.J. Richardson for a 28-yard touchdown. But Denver built on its lead when Muhammad burst away for a 49-yard rush to set up running back Devontae Jackson‘s short dive into the end zone. McManus later added a 33-yard field goal.

Denver wide receivers and McKnight split punt return duties on Thursday and each had one big gain: McKnight (17 yards) and Cracraft (15 yards).

“I’ve been trying to really break a return lately,” McKnight said. “Coach gave me an opportunity and I just tried to take advantage of it. … I knew it was a (position) battle, but at the end of the day, we weren’t beefing with each other. It was just all encouragement. We learned from each other.”

Broncos safety Shamarko Thomas suffered a hamstring injury while blocking on the opening kickoff return and did not return.

Pregame at Broncos Stadium allowed for a potentially awkward reunion. — fired as Denver coach in December and hired as Arizona defensive coordinator in January — chatted with Broncos general manager and director of player personnel Matt Russell at midfield during warmups. However, body language didn’t suggest bad blood.

Cornerback Chris Harris gave Joseph a big hug. Several more players and staff members stopped by for a handshake. Elway even dapped up Joseph before teams departed the field. Joseph is now tasked with revamping Arizona’s defense and helping to guide first-year Cardinals’ coach Kliff Kingsbury after six seasons leading Texas Tech.

Denver begins regular season play next Monday night at Oakland.

“We need to be ready because it����ap here in 11 days,” Fangio said. “I think we’ve had a good camp, I think the guys have formed a bond that is good and hopefully will carry us through the adverse times that we’ll have during a game and/or during the season. I think they’re ready but you never know.”

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Now that more and more teams are moving to holding their starters out for half or all of the preseason, what’s the point? This is like practice. The owners are charging fans full prices for practice sessions? I can sit on the hill for free at training camp and watch this crap.

— Dan, St. Louis

This month’s movement of coaches holding out starters for most of the preseason or all of it will certainly be a point of discussion in the next collective bargaining agreement. Each coach has their motive for not putting out their best players, mainly to make sure they’re healthy for Week 1. Period. In their ivory towers, the NFL owners have to be aware that the only sensible change is cutting the preseason in half (two games) and having more joint practices to serve as an evaluation tool for their players. The Broncos play their fifth preseason game on Thursday … it feels like their 15th.

How do you feel about the undrafted free agent players such as Malik Reed, John Leglue and Austin Fort? Who do you think will be able to make the 53-man roster and the practice squad?

— Alex, Fort Collins

Fort, a tight end from Wyoming, was having a good camp until he tore his ACL against Seattle earlier this month and was placed on injured reserve. … Reed, an outside linebacker from Nevada, will make the team. He practiced last week but was held out of the Rams game, a sign the Broncos have seen enough and want to keep him healthy. … Leglue, an offensive tackle from Tulane, is unlikely to make the 53-man roster, but could be a practice squad option.

The Broncos’ punt return game is worse than last year. I didn’t think that was possible. They should just call for a fair catch and nobody touch it. At least that avoids a fumble. Nobody can seem to catch it reliably.

— Jeff Davis, Aurora

Yes … Agree. … Good point. … Absolutely. … Appears that way. The Broncos’ punt return game is a mess and it����ap not surprising considering their offseason plan appeared to be to throw a bunch of names in a hat and pull one out. Going into the Arizona game, it will be and Kelvin McKnight and maybe Devontae Jackson back catching punts. None may be on the field in Week 1. I’m sticking to my prediction (not exactly ground-breaking) that the punt returner for the Oakland game isn’t yet on the roster. The Broncos finished last in 2018 (4.4) and are 29th in this month’s preseason (3.2-yard average).

Justin Hollins has been looking good in the preseason. What do you think his ceiling is going to be for the Broncos this year? Does he have the potential to steal the starting gig from Josey Jewell?

— Kyle, Fort Collins

Hollins’ 15 tackles in the preseason are third on the team behind Alexander Johnson (18) and Josh Watson (16). Hollins has been playing outside linebacker in the base package and inside linebacker in the  nickel package. He played all 69 snaps against the Rams on Saturday night and had eight tackles. His ceiling for this year is he can be a back-up outside linebacker who can move inside if (calf) isn’t available to start the season. We’re a bit away from him being an every-down inside linebacker and if that happens, it will be alongside Jewell, not replacing him.

Does DeMarcus Walker have a future here in Denver? The kid’s yet to live up to his second-round hype and while he’s shown some potential at times, I don’t see how he fits into this defensive rotation. Does he have trade value? Can we pick up some linebacker help for him?

— Mike Wilson, Denver

Walker, a second-round pick in 2017, is facing the biggest game of his short career. He has one more chance to prove to the Broncos’ coaches that he deserves a roster spot as the fifth or sixth defensive lineman. Even if he does, he may not be active for games initially. The release of Zach Kerr is good news for Mike Purcell or DeShawn Williams because they can play nose tackle. As for Walker’s trade value, stranger things have happened. As soon as the Broncos make a call to talk about his availability, that team may just wait for him to be waived.

I feel like I’m the only one who believes could be the X-factor for the Broncos this year. He was a beast at Michigan and can block, catch and run. A tandem of him and Noah Fant could be magical this year with under center. What do you think?

— Mary, Aurora

Well, Mary, you’re part of a small crowd simply because of Butt����ap health. To be an X-factor, you have to practice and play regularly and that has eluded Butt this preseason. He missed several weeks with knee soreness and played 11 snaps against the Rams in his first game action since tearing his ACL during a Week 4 practice. Butt missed practice on Monday. Yes, he can catch, block and run. Yes, he and Fant would make for an intriguing tight end duo. But as I’ve said before, the Broncos should consider it a bonus if they get regular contributions from Butt.

What do you think of ‘s retirement? Do you think he’ll ever come back? Perhaps in Denver, adding to the Broncos’ list of former Colts quarterbacks?

— Andrew, Denver

Myself and columnist Mark Kiszla debated this topic in Tuesday’s print edition. I was surprised just like everybody else, particularly this close to the regular season. My money is on him returning to the NFL at some point because he does need time to recover from his injuries and re-group mentally, but he loves the game and can still be great at it. As for playing for the Broncos, if you’re a fan, you might as well keep that hope alive, right?

1. Offensive play-time leaders: 44 snaps apiece for OT Jake Rodgers, RG Elijah Wilkinson and OT Quinn Bailey; QB Brett Rypien 38; C Austin Schlottmann and LG Don Barclay 34 apiece and TE Troy Fumagalli 32. TE Jake Butt played 11 snaps. New TE Orson Charles had eight snaps. Seventeen offensive players had at least 20 snaps.

2. Defensive play-time leaders: LB Justin Hollins played all 69 snaps, followed by CB Linden Stephens 55, OLB Ahmad Gooden 49, CB Trey Johnson 46 and S Dymonte Thomas 44. Fourteen defensive players had at least 30 snaps.

3. On the game’s second play, the Rams gained 51 yards on Brandon Allen’s pass to WR Mike Thomas. Given 10 yards of cushion by CB De’Vante Bausby, Thomas used a stutter-step-and-go move to create space on Bausby. S Su’a Cravens, playing deep middle, was a tick late getting out of his backpedal and couldn’t get over to Thomas in time.

4. The Broncos’ first red zone stand (opening Rams drive): Third-and-1 from the 11-yard line — DE DeMarcus Walker beat a feeble block attempt by TE Kendall Blanton to trip up RB Darrell Henderson for no gain. Fourth-and-1 — NT Mike Purcell’s quick first step allowed him to get past C Aaron Neary, forcing Henderson left and toward Hollins, who stayed home on the edge to make the tackle.

5. Smart move by the Broncos’ defensive coaches to play Hollins the entire game. He had a team-high eight tackles, rotating between outside (base package) and inside (sub-package) linebacker.

6. Rypien’s first drive (hurry-up) to close the second quarter: 13-yard pass to Fumagalli that was well-positioned, outside of Fumagalli and away from the defender; receiver screen to WR River Cracraft that gained only three yards when Schlottmann couldn’t complete his block against LB Travin Howard; no gain on a throw to RB Devontae Jackson in the right flat; and incomplete on third-and-7 when he overthrew WR Juwann Winfree in the end zone.

7. Rypien’s third quarter was doomed by two plays. On first-and-10 from his 35, he used play action and then looked left to draw the safety up, allowing WR Fred Brown to get open on a post route. But Rypien overthrew him 45 yards downfield. On the next play against a five-man rush, Rypien looked for WR Steven Dunbar over the middle, but didn’t see or was unable to throw it by LB Dakota Allen, who deflected the pass that was intercepted by CB Kevin Peterson.

8. The Broncos’ goal-line stand in the third quarter: First down from the 2-yard line — Allen threw an incomplete fade toward WR Jalen Greene (Stephens in coverage). Second down — Allen missed Blanton, who became open when S Trey Marshall slipped. Third down — Allen threw high and wide to TE Johnny Mundt (Stephens in coverage). Fourth down – ILB Keishawn Bierria tracked Mundt laterally across the goal line and made the stop for no gain when Allen’s throw was slightly into Mundt����ap body, forcing him to slow down.

9. The return game still lacks clarity. “That will keep going,” coach said of the competition. The Rams punted only twice. Cracraft had a five-yard return and rookie WR Kelvin McKnight����ap momentum took him out of bounds on his only attempt. We’ll still predict the Week 1 punt returner isn’t on the roster. On kick returns, RB Devontae Booker might as well be the choice out of necessity.

10. The Broncos may have found one of their punt-coverage gunners in Winfree. With 11 minutes remaining, Winfree beat his man down the left sideline to make the tackle for no yardage. “It will help his cause a lot,” Fangio said. “If you’re going to dress five receivers on game day, one or two of them are going to have to make a contribution in the kicking game. Hopefully that will become the norm for him and not just the flash play.”

The status of inside linebacker (calf) for Week 1 is uncertain because he hasn’t practiced since July 18 (the first day of training camp) and coach said Davis “is a little bit behind where we had hoped.” Enter Johnson, who started against Atlanta and San Francisco. His 11 tackles are second on the team and if the coaches feel he plays well against the Rams, he could get the base-down start at Oakland. “Some good, some not so good (against the 49ers),” Fangio said of Johnson. “I was hoping for more. He’s got to keep ascending and not flatten out. I thought he had a good camp early on. He’s got to step it up here.”

2. Brett Rypien

A spectator against Seattle and San Francisco — the feeling being the Broncos were keeping him under wraps so he can clear waivers on his way to the practice squad — Rypien will play after Kevin Hogan against the Rams. Does this mean he has a chance to be ’s backup while Drew Lock (sprained right thumb) is out? Maybe. His performance against the Rams could allow him to beat out Hogan. Rypien was 5-of-10 passing for 41 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass against Atlanta on Aug. 1.

3. Jamal Carter

A safety by trade, Carter was moved to inside linebacker on Aug. 11. Fangio said after the 49ers’ joint practices that the experiment was working well enough to keep Carter at linebacker but then he played only 10 snaps in the game. Does Carter have a chance to make the team as a versatile defender/special teams player? The numbers may not work out unless the Broncos think he can play strong safety in a pinch. “He’s a work in progress (at linebacker),” Fangio said. “He probably did about the way (on Monday) I expected him to. It����ap a new world in there. Instead of going back 10 yards, now you’re at four yards and those linemen can be in your lap pretty quickly.”

4. Su’a Cravens

If the Broncos believed Cravens had the ability to be efficient as a fill-in safety, sub-package linebacker and special teams core player, he would be on the team, taking advantage of a fresh start after his 2018 went backward from the hop. But Fangio said early in camp that Cravens is strictly a safety. He played only 10 special teams snaps in two games and missed three practices and the San Francisco game because of an illness. Cravens may make the team by semi-default.

5. All returners

Our prediction is the Broncos’ Week 1 punt returner isn’t on the roster yet. , Kelvin McKnight, , Brendan Langley and Devontae Jackson have caught punts in the first three preseason games and have combined for more fumbles (two) than returns of more than seven yards (one). Cracraft got the first two chances against San Francisco. On kickoff returns, Jackson has four returns, but it is unlikely there is room for a fifth tailback on the 53-man roster since (shoulder) is already hurt.

“We had to come out here with an edge to us and not let them set the tempo,” receiver said.

The brouhaha happened during the second period of 11-on-11 work. Two plays after running back jawed with several 49ers defenders, things escalated after he finished a carry.

“One person hit me and then a second person hit me and I was like, ‘OK, cool,’” Williams said. “But then third person came up to hit me.”

Cue chaos. Punches were definitely thrown, but only the coach’s tape will provide definitive evidence.

Broncos receiver Brendan Langley and tight end Bug Howard were ejected from practice.

“I had instructed the coaches that if something happened extracurricular-wise that they deemed (a player should be) removed from the field, do it,” said Broncos coach , who was on the other field.

No 49ers player was dismissed from practice by their coaches.

Williams appreciated his teammates coming to his aid.

“That just shows how close we are as a team and have each other’s back,” he said.

Before and after the brawl, the Broncos offense showed up well.

“We came out firing,” quarterback Drew Lock said. “A lot of positive plays. Got the juices flowing early so when that happens, it����ap going to be a good day.”

Said general manager : “We had a better day (Saturday). I don’t know if we met the intensity (Friday) that the Niners put out there and that����ap up to us.”

Quarterback Joe Flacco was 6-of-7 passing during the first 11-on-11 period, including a terrific catch by receiver over cornerback . Receiver Kelvin McKnight had a one-handed catch on a pass thrown by Lock.

During the second 11-on-11 period, Flacco’s drive started with a screen pass to running back that was busted open when left guard Dalton Risner pancake-blocked linebacker Malcolm Smith downfield. After the brawl, Flacco connected deep with receiver .

Miller sits out. Broncos outside linebacker missed his first practice of training camp.

“He’s OK,” Fangio said. “He’s made every practice we’ve had since OTAs and we decided to give him a day off.”

Also not practicing: Fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral), cornerback Horace Richardson (back), outside linebacker Malik Reed (oblique), running backs (shoulder) and Khalfani Muhammad (undisclosed), safeties Dymonte Thomas (attending funeral), Su’a Cravens (illness) and (hamstring) and inside linebackers (calf) and Joseph Jones (triceps).

K. Shanahan homecoming. On Friday morning, 49ers coach made his first visit to the Broncos’ facility in more than a decade, since his father, Mike, was the team’s coach.

“It looks completely different,” said Kyle, an alum of Cherry Creek High School. “There used to be a (practice) bubble that blew down one day. The facility looks great. I really enjoyed our time here.”

The 49ers used the Broncos’ indoor facility as their locker room, but Shanahan visited coach Vic Fangio’s office in the main building.

“It was different walking in — it����ap been remodeled a bunch,” Shanahan said. “A very special place to me.”

No QB order. Two days ahead of the first two preseason games, Fangio announced the order the quarterbacks would enter the game.

Not this time, though, for Monday night.

“I’m not sure yet,” Fangio said. “We’re going to discuss that (Saturday night).”

Lock took the majority of second-team snaps during the six days of practice following the Seattle game.

Return game “wide open”. Special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said the punt/kick return jobs remain “wide open.”

McKnight, Langley, running back Devontae Jackson and receivers and have caught punts in the first two preseason games for a 3.5-yard average.

“We haven’t had any production,” McMahon said. “Somebody has to produce and separate themselves. I’ll be honest with you — nobody has produced at an NFL level and we have to block better. We got our tail kicked (last week at Seattle).”

D. Thomas fined. Per a league source, Thomas was fined $28,075 by the NFL for his unnecessary roughness penalty against Seattle on Aug. 8.

Staff writer Kyle Fredrickson contributed to this story.

Did not practice: ILB Todd Davis (calf), S Kareem Jackson (hamstring), CB Horace Richardson (hamstring), ILB Joe Jones (triceps), RB Theo Riddick (shoulder) and FB Andy Janovich (pectoral).

TE Jake Butt (knee) and ILB Josey Jewell (oblique) participated in 7-on-7 drills, but not 11-on-11. Coach Vic Fangio replied “maybe,” when asked if Butt is trending toward full-team work later this week.

Top play

Albeit against the third-team defense, QB received good protection and threw a long pass down the sideline that was caught by WR Emmanuel Sanders. Rookie CB Alijah Holder was in coverage.

Thumbs up

WR Emmanuel Sanders. Caught three passes during team work and Fangio said post-practice that Sanders will play in the preseason. “If you guys remember, I kind of predicted it in the spring — my medical background gives me those prediction powers,” Fangio half-joked. “I thought he would make it back quicker than most and he has. And he looks fine. I’ve asked guys who have been here in the past to compare him (now) to what he’s been in the past because I don’t have a past with him and they don’t see any difference right now.” Sanders remains on a snap count.

QB Drew Lock. Working with the second-team offensive line for the second consecutive practice, his first completion was well-done — rolling to his right, he hit WR River Cracraft in stride on a crossing route.

Thumbs down

QB Kevin Hogan’s reps. He had only seven snaps in 11-on-11 work out of a possible 79.

Pre-snap penalties. In starters vs. starters toward the end of practice, consecutive penalties (one apiece on offense and defense) forced Fangio to say, “start it over.”

Odds and ends

• Quarterback snaps (11-on-11): Joe Flacco 34, Kevin Hogan seven, Drew Lock 22 and Brett Rypien 16.
• Although still in full pads, Monday’s practice had a regular season feel because of the amount of scout-team work. “This has been a good week because we have the big space in between games,” Fangio said. “We’ve had half normal training camp sessions and half carded (scout-team) sessions to get things for the regular season that we need to see on both sides of the ball.”
• The run game was emphasized early in 11-on-11 work. Ten of the first 13 plays were rushes.
• New ILB Jamal Carter (formerly a safety) worked in the nickel package alongside rookie Josh Watson. Rookies Justin Hollins and Ahmad Gooden were the outside linebackers.
• TE Bug Howard appeared to sustain an injury during an individual drill, but he returned for team work. Howard came back to practice Sunday after missing time with an ankle injury.
• In 7-on-7, the Broncos ran a nice “rub” (or pick), allowing RB Devontae Jackson to get open on a wheel route when ILB Josey Jewell was caught up in traffic.
• Hogan started the second period of 11-on-11 with the third-team offense against the first-team defense. He completed passes to WRs Kelvin McKnight and Fred Brown and had a pass broken up by CB Isaac Yiadom.
• The third period of 11-on-11 started with four consecutive completions by Lock. Flacco’s five plays: Incompletion, RB Devontae Booker drop, pass to WR Tim Patrick, offensive pass interference and incompletion.
• In a red zone period, Flacco connected with Patrick for a touchdown, RB Phillip Lindsay ran for a score and Rypien threw for a TD.
• Catching kickoffs from a machine: Booker, McKnight, Jackson, WR Brendan Langley, WR River Cracraft and RB Khalfani Muhammad. There were no drops.
• Flacco’s second-to-last 11-on-11 period included completions to Patrick, Sanders, Muhammad (after a low snap) and TE Jeff Heuerman. Flacco threw behind and incomplete to WR Courtland Sutton on a quick slant.
• RT Ja’Wuan James got tangled up and tumbled to the turf on the third-to-last play of practice. was ready to come in, but James stayed on the field.
• Fangio on tight end : “He’s had some days where he’s up and down health-wise, but I think he’s ready to push forward and push through all the little stuff and become an NFL tight end.” Asked if Fumagalli is improving because of the extra reps, Fangio said: “Everybody benefits from extra reps. It����ap the only way you can get better.”
• San Francisco arrives for practices with/against the Broncos on Friday-Saturday. Fangio said he hadn’t yet talked to 49ers coach , but did send him a practice outline.

Tuesday’s schedule

Practice 9:15 a.m.-noon (open to public).

Flacco completed three of his four pass attempts for 19 yards in his only possession, which ended with a 25-yard field goal.

In the second quarter, Lock entered and was 5-of-7 passing for 55 yards and another McManus 25-yard field goal gave the Broncos a 6-0 lead.

But then entered the game for Seattle and his productive play, combined with all kinds of Broncos penalties, allowed the Seahawks to rally and then pull away in their preseason opener.

Lynch, the Broncos’ 2016 first-round pick who was cut after last year’s preseason and was out of football, is competing with to be ’s back-up. Lynch was 11-of-15 passing for 109 yards and also rushed for a 7-yard touchdown.

The Broncos dropped to 1-1. They will host San Francisco on Aug. 19.

The positives: The first-team offense scored and Lock looked more comfortable in his second preseason appearance. For the game, Lock was 17 of 28 for 180 yards, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Devontae Jackson late, and one interception.

“I think he made progress this week, both in practice and the game and it showed at times out there,” coach Vic Fangio said. “But it����ap still a process for him. I don’t know how long it����ap going to take. I think this past week and this game were great for him. He needs to learn from everything and not consider (bad) plays failures. They’re learning experiences right now, not failures.”

Said Lock: “It felt extremely different. I just dipped my toe in the water that first game and to be able to come out here, kind of get in a rhythm — it will look different on my behalf watching the film because I feel like I can watch it almost like a full game. We moved the ball a little bit tonight. Upset we didn’t come out with a win, but there is definitely stuff to learn from.”

The negatives: Penalties, penalties and more penalties. The Broncos had 11 flags for 94 yards. They resulted in drives starting in poor field position, ending with a punt and providing Seattle with free yards.

“(When) there (are) penalties during the course of the play, it����ap either because you have poor technique or you’re not good enough,” Fangio said. “If you’re either one, you have to cheat — you have to grab guys (or) you have to hold them. We have to make these guys aware of the proper technique and hopefully they’re good enough to play honest downs without fouling.”

Flacco and running backs and played only the opening possession, but it presented the ideal scenario in terms of length of drive (12 plays) and situations (third down, short-yardage and red zone).

“We did some simple things very well and it was definitely good to get live action,” Flacco said. “When you get 10, 12 plays, you want to make the most of them and make sure you’re going through your reads and not missing anything. There’s probably a couple things we can work on from that standpoint, but overall, we kept it simple and executed pretty well when we were in there.”

Lindsay’s first carry in a game since last December’s wrist injury was almost doomed from the start. He collided with Flacco as he got the hand-off, but re-grouped to gain 10 yards around the right side. On the next play, he turned Flacco’s screen pass into a nine-yard gain.

Two play later, on third-and-1 from the Broncos 35, Freeman burst through an opening for a 50-yard gain. Last year, Freeman’s longest gain in 130 carries was 24 yards.

Freeman’s catch on a Flacco check-down converted a third-and-1. But the drive stalled at the 5-yard line when Freeman and Lindsay lost a yard on consecutive carries and Flacco threw incomplete to receiver in the end zone.

The Broncos’ first-team defense played two possessions.

On the first drive, they gave up a third-and-11 conversion (Rashaad Penny 27-yard catch and run on a screen when linebacker Alexander Johnson appeared to lose track of him) but cornerback Isaac Yiadom broke up a Geno Smith pass on third-and-9. On the second drive, they forced a three-and-out, including a pass break-up/near interception by defensive end on a screen and a pass break-up by cornerback De’Vante Bausby.

As coach said on Tuesday, quarterback Kevin Hogan’s appearance was brief (two possessions).

Lock’s first drive represented progress from last week’s preseason opener. Leading a 12-play, 60-yard march, Lock converted a third-and-11 with a fine 14-yard pass to tight end and converted a fourth-and-1 with an eight-yard run. On the next play, Lock rolled right and hit a wide open (shallow cross) for a 24-yard gain.

Lynch started the second half for Seattle. His first drive ended with Jason Myers’ 43-yard field goal to tie the score at 6. Following a three-and-out by the Broncos, Seattle took its first lead (13-6) with 3:48 left in the third quarter on Lynch’s seven-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jazz Ferguson.

The Seahawks extended their lead to 15-6 on the ensuing possession when Lock was sacked by blitzing cornerback DeShawn Shead for a safety. Running back Khalfani Muhammad missed his assignment, running a route instead of picking up Shead.

Lynch went right back to work early in the fourth quarter, capping a 69-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run to give the Seahawks a 16-point lead.

Broncos fullback left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury (Fangio said it was a pectoral) and rookie tight end Austin Fort sustained a left knee injury while making a 29-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Fort was carted off the field. Fangio said both players will get MRI exams upon the team’s return to Denver.

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Is it too early to freak out on how abysmal Drew Lock looked against the Falcons? The kid looked terrible out there against third- and fourth-stringers. I don’t know how he responds when he has to take on better competition in the coming weeks.

— Rod M., Aurora

Lock was 7-of-11 passing for 34 yards and a 68 rating against Atlanta. As coach said, expected more but wasn’t surprised. I’m in about the same boat. Two things were concerning, though: Taking a timeout after a TV timeout and having a delay of game penalty after a TV timeout. Inexcusable regardless of who was to blame. Secondly, the accuracy. He overshot Noah Fant and Khalifani Muhammad on downfield throws and even a few of his completions were on-target, allowing the receiver to gain yards after the catch. But we can give the kid a semi-pass because it was his first game. Chances are he won’t face better competition in the coming weeks. If he goes in second, he’ll face back-ups. If he goes in after and Kevin Hogan, he’ll face third-stringers again. What fans should want to see moving forward this month is progress from Lock — that����ap it.

Ryan, who stood out to you the most in the first preseason game? I like Khalfani Muhammad — the kid is fast and could be a strong weapon in our return game. Do you see Denver trying him out there?

— Michael O., Pueblo

After Muhammad started the scoring Thursday with a 3-yard touchdown run, I tweeted half-jokingly that Muhammad’s quest to a Preseason MVP Award was on its way. He is going to get a ton of work this month, starting with seven carries for 50 yards against Atlanta. I liked his 31-yard run around the right side because he was assertive in choosing the right lane instead of bouncing it further outside. The numbers crunch will impact Muhammad. At running back, , and (fullback) are the top three and will make the team as the third-down back. Muhammad and rookie Devontae Jackson’s best route to a roster spot is winning the kick return job and at that point, do the Broncos believe there will be enough kick return attempts to justify keeping a fourth tailback instead of, say, a fourth tight end or sixth receiver? Other players besides Muhammad and Jackson who impressed: 1. DL Dre’Mont Jones (more on him in the next question). 2. OLB Malik Reed (showed good burst around the edge). 3. CB Trey Johnson (INT and two other pass break-ups). 4. Most of the back-up offensive linemen.

Dre’Mont Jones looked like the real deal on Thursday. Do you think he’ll make a strong impact with the team once the regular season starts?

— Murray, Denver

Jones, the Broncos’ third-round pick from Ohio State, was credited with three tackles (one for lost yardage). He showed he is better than the second- and third-teamers Atlanta trotted out there. If I’m the Broncos coaches, I play him against the starters in the San Francisco game. In the Seattle game, its starters won’t play that much and the Rams may not play any starters. If Jones continues to produce, he can be in the Week 1 rotation as a reserve defensive end and situational pass rusher.

Why is Kevin Hogan on the team? I’m not saying he’s not a talented quarterback, but let’s face it if Joe Flacco goes down we need to see if Drew Lock is legit or not for the following draft. At best Hogan would be a .500 quarterback, so why not keep a guy like Brett Rypien as the third guy or carry another NEEDED position such as cornerback or offensive line?

— Donnie Graves, Chesterfield, Va.

Feels like I got the same kind of question about Hogan a few weeks back. I think the Broncos would take a .500 quarterback after going 5-11 and 6-10 the last two years. But let����ap unpack the Hogan Issue. Right now, the coaches may trust him more to operate the offense more than Lock. That����ap not a knock against Lock. Hogan has been in the league for a few years, thus the advantage. If Flacco was injured, the Broncos would have a better chance of winning with Hogan so he’ll be on the team if he can hang on to the No. 2 spot. As for Rypien, the proper gamble should be to try and slide him through waivers and sign him to the practice squad.

Regarding uniform colors, have the Broncos determined if and which games they will wear the orange color rush and the alternate navy blue jerseys during the 2019 season?

— David, Questa, N.M.

All I know about the uniform lineup this year is Green Bay will wear its historic third jersey in its Week 3 game against the Broncos. In 2018, the Broncos announced on June 5 that it would wear its alternate jerseys. There have been no such announcements yet. Personally, I really like the blue jerseys. The orange color rush, I can do without.

The expectations for an NFL preseason opener are never high … and the Broncos and showed why in Thursday night����ap Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

The Broncos scored first and last, winning 14-10 before 20,802 fans. On fourth down from the Falcons’ 15, Brett Rypien’s pass into the end zone was deflected but caught by receiver Juwann Winfree with 1:26 remaining to secure the win.

“That was really Juwann making a play and me trying to let him go up and make one,” Rypien said. “It’s a play we look for our best 1-on-1 matchup and he did a great job.”

Coach Vic Fangio was on the sideline for the duration despite a visit earlier in the day to a Cleveland hospital because of a kidney stone.

Fangio said not coaching, “was never in question, really. There was a 20- or 40-minute time period where I didn’t know if I would make it (to the game).”

Only six Broncos who are projected Week 1 starters played: Tight end (into the second quarter), nose tackle Shelby Harris, defensive end and three offensive linemen — center , left guard Dalton Risner and left tackle Garett Bolles.

The lineup should look a lot different next Thursday in Seattle when the starters play multiple possessions. The Broncos will have Friday and Saturday off before three consecutive days of practice.

As expected, there will be much to work on.

Brendan Langley fumbled away a punt when he charged up-field to make the catch. The second-unit offensive line allowed several pressures by not picking up Atlanta’s stunt looks. And rookie quarterback Drew Lock underwhelmed after entering the game in the second quarter (7 of 11 for 34 yards).

The positives included Risner getting his first exposure to NFL action. Rookie running back Devontae Jackson showed good burst on offense and kick returns. DeMarcus Walker, fighting for a roster spot, had a first-half sack. And Fangio came through on his early-week guarantee and challenged a defensive pass interference call against the Broncos (the call stood).

Kevin Hogan started and played the first three series. The Broncos started three-and-out and began the second possession at their 49-yard line thanks to a 16-yard punt return by Kelvin McKnight.

The drive started with a drop by tight end Noah Fant (he later had a penalty). But Fant caught a seven-yard pass to convert a third-and-5. On the next play, Fred Brown caught Hogan’s pass for 15 yards. A defensive penalty on the Falcons turned a third-and-goal from the 7 into a first-and-goal from the 3 and running back Khalfani Muhammad capped the possession with a rushing touchdown.

Hogan departed late in the first quarter, completing 5 of 8 passes for 37 yards. Not great, but probably efficient enough to enter next week as the backup quarterback leader.

Lock’s first series was a three-and-out — he slightly overshot Fant down the right sideline on second down. His second series was aided by a third-down penalty on the Falcons when they hit Lock as he was sliding. On the next play, Lock looked comfortable on a bootleg to the right before throwing 12 yards to receiver . But the drive stalled when Lock was sacked on consecutive plays (total loss of 15 yards).

Lock’s third drive — the final one of the first half — was stalled by a delay of game (usually inexcusable) coming out of a timeout (completely inexcusable).

The Falcons tied it at 7 with an eight-play, 61-yard drive. Quarterback Kurt Benkert scrambled for 17 yards to convert a second-and-10. Benkert then had completions of 27, 17 and 16 yards in a span of four plays. He capped the march with a one-yard touchdown throw to wide open running back Brian Hill in the left flat.

The Broncos were outgained 137-89 in the first half.

The Falcons took a 10-7 lead on Giorgio Tavecchio’s 27-yard field goal with 4:30 left in the third quarter.

With 5:21 left, Atlanta quarterback Matt Schaub’s pass was intercepted by Trey Johnson at the Falcons’ 38. Schaub started and was back on the field because of Benkert’s toe injury. The Broncos converted a fourth-and-10 via Falcons pass interference penalty (14 yards). Two plays later, Muhammad turned a short pass into an 11-yard gain (to the Atlanta 11). The Rypien-to-Winfree touchdown came a play after McKnight’s fourth-down conversion catch was negated by penalty.