The starters have to get through Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams before shifting their focus toward the Sept. 9 opener at Oakland. But for the back-of-the-roster players, the next two games are critical.

Three games into the preseason, where do the Broncos stand with their roster? Has anybody emerged to possibly snatch a spot? How will the many injured players impact the math?

Here is our second projection of how coach Vic Fangio’s initial 53-man roster will look like:

OFFENSE (26)

Quarterbacks (3): , Kevin Hogan and Drew Lock.

Lock had done enough to be Flacco’s backup, but the right thumb sprain he sustained against San Francisco means he won’t be available for the start of the regular season and Hogan survives (unless outside help is acquired). Brett Rypien will head to the practice squad once he clears waivers.

Tailbacks (4): , , and .

Riddick (shoulder) won’t be ready for the season opener, but he must be on the initial 53-man roster to be eligible for return-from-injured-reserve status. Riddick’s injury keeps Booker on the roster as a third-down back.

Fullbacks (2): and George Aston.

In our first 53-man projection, we had two fullbacks because of how much they’ll be used by play-caller Rich Scangarello. We won’t take a victory lap, though, because Janovich (pectoral) is injured. Like Riddick, Janovich won’t be ready for Week 1 so he is a return-from-IR candidate. Each team is allowed two.

Tight ends (4): , Noah Fant, and .

Butt (knee soreness) hasn’t played in a preseason game and hasn’t been involved in any 11-on-11 practice work. But he’s at least returned to practice. We still feel like he can help the Broncos, so he makes the initial 53. There are injury issues at this position that could force the Broncos’ hand and add a fifth one.

Receivers (5): , , , and Juwann Winfree.

and have had chances the last two weeks to seize the punt return spot — and make it as the sixth receiver — but the results haven’t materialized. At this point, the Broncos’ punt returner may not be on the roster.

Offensive linemen (8): Ja’Wuan James (RT), Dalton Risner (LG), (C), Garett Bolles (LT), (RG), Don Barclay (G), (OT) and (G/C).

Four of the five starters are set in James, Risner, McGovern and Bolles. But the Broncos should be worried about Leary. He is coming back from an Achilles’ injury and has not played in the preseason. Fangio said Leary’s knee was “bugging” him, which is why he didn’t play Monday. Even if Leary is ready for Week 1, reinforcements (Barclay or Schlottmann) better be ready.

DEFENSE (24)

Defensive linemen (5): , , Shelby Harris, Dre’Mont Jones and Zach Kerr.

Walker, a second-round pick two years ago, doesn’t make the cut. Our top five entering camp has remained the same.

Outside linebackers (5): , , Dekoda Watson, Justin Hollins and Malik Reed.

Jeff Holland squandered his chance to be a backup and was waived after only two preseason games. Reed emerged until he missed the last week with an oblique issue. He’s done enough, though, to make the team. Watson sticks as a core special teamer and Hollins as a semi-developmental player.

Inside linebackers (4): , Josey Jewell, Joe Jones and Alexander Johnson.

Davis (calf) hasn’t practiced since Day 1 of camp and the Broncos have tried several players in his spot, including Johnson, who started Monday. Watch out for the waiver wire because special teams reinforcements are often found at linebacker.

Cornerbacks (4): , Bryce Callahan, Isaac Yiadom and De’Vante Bausby.

’s ability to play corner allows the Broncos to go with four on the initial roster. Callahan (foot) hasn’t played in the preseason, meaning Yiadom and Bausby have gotten plenty of snaps. Horace Richardson flashed in the first preseason game, but played sparingly at Seattle and was scratched against San Francisco (back) to compromise his chances.

Safeties (6): , Kareem Jackson, , Su’a Cravens, Dymonte Thomas and Trey Marshall.

After the top three safeties, things get muddled and suggest Fangio may be on the look-out for safety help on the waiver wire. Marshall started for Jackson against San Francisco because Parks (hamstring) and Cravens (illness) weren’t available. Special teams ability will be the key for the final three safety spots.

Specialists (3): , Colby Wadman and .

The Broncos had a second kicker and second punter on hand during the early part of camp before cutting both. McManus has been solid in the preseason and Wadman punted better against San Francisco than against Seattle.

Carter (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) participated at inside linebacker, equal parts because of injuries to , Josey Jewell and Joe Jones and to see if Carter is physical enough to help.

“Right now, it����ap temporary, but if he looks good in there, it will be permanent,” coach said. “Our numbers have gotten low there, and he’s always wanted to play in there. The timing was good.”

Carter said the coaches told him about the plan over the weekend and his response was “Let����ap go.”

“I’ve been wanting to play this (since) high school and college,” he said. “I like being in the trenches. I’m a physical specimen, so I don’t like being too far away from contact. It����ap going to fit me.”

Carter played all 16 games for the Broncos in 2017 (eight tackles) and missed last year following a preseason hamstring injury.

If Carter shows up well at inside linebacker, he could carve out a niche that wouldn’t exist if he was just a safety.

“It����ap a great opportunity,” he said. “I feel like I’m going to be Mark Barron 2.0.”

A first-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2012, Barron played safety before he was traded to the Rams, who converted him to linebacker. He signed a two-year contract with Pittsburgh this offseason.

Injury list. Here is an updated list of the Broncos’ many injuries:

New injuries: Cornerback Horace Richardson (hamstring), safety (hamstring), fullback (pectoral) and running back (shoulder). Janovich and Riddick are out 6-8 weeks, which stretches into the regular season.

Remain out: Jones (triceps), Davis (calf) and Jewell (oblique).

Of Davis (out since the first practice), Fangio said, “I think we’ll start seeing him out here fairly soon, but it will be a slow process.”

Jewell was in full pads and did side-field conditioning and said he “felt pretty good.”

Returned (limited or full participants): Outside linebacker Aaron Wallace (hamstring), cornerback Bryce Callahan (foot) and tight ends (ACL), (shoulder) and Bug Howard (ankle).

Butt was in pads for the first time since July 20 and said, “It����ap obviously better to be on the field than in the training room.”

Fallen soldier’s family visits. The Broncos hosted the family of Army Sgt. Maj. Ryan Sartor, 40, who was killed last month by enemy fire during a combat operation in Afghanistan.

Sartor, a native of Texas, was last assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Carson. He experienced several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan after joining the Army in 2001.

Sartor’s wife and children along with other relatives attended practice and spent time afterward with Fangio and several players, including most of the offensive line group, defensive end , quarterbacks and Drew Lock and outside linebackers and .

Penalty issues. The Broncos were called for 11 enforced penalties against Seattle.

After watching the video, Fangio was asked if the issues were bad technique, poor play or letter-of-the-rulebook officiating.

“I think it was all of the above,” he said. “I’ve seen a few of these other games on reruns. There are flags all over the place. I do think the players need to play better from a technique standpoint, and they are being extra judicious in their officiating.”

During the first full week of preseason games, 15 teams had double-digit enforced penalties, including 18 by San Francisco to lead the NFL.

Holland waived. Broncos outside linebacker Jeff Holland’s tumble down the depth chart was completed Sunday when he was waived.

The Broncos traded for Dekoda Watson, drafted Justin Hollins and signed rookie free agent Malik Reed, and all outperformed Holland in training camp.

Signed to take Holland’s roster spot was cornerback Rashard Causey, a rookie from Central Florida who played for Atlanta against the Broncos in the Aug. 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

Fangio likes schedule. Count Fangio in the camp of wanting to stick with four preseason and 16 regular-season games.

“If you’re into developing players, preseason games are important,” he said.

As for the regular season remaining the same, Fangio said: “I don’t think the schedule should move anywhere. I don’t think (18 games) will happen, but what do I know? I don’t think it would be a wise move.”

Fangio does consider joint practices a wise move for both teams. San Francisco visits the Broncos for workouts on Friday and Saturday before next Monday’s game.

“It����ap just great to go against somebody else, offensive linemen having to block different pass rushers and run-block different defensive linemen, cornerbacks covering different receivers, receivers going against different corners, (facing) different schemes,” Fangio said. “I would do two of them in camp if I could.”

Footnotes. A rare trick play was run during the second play of 11-on-11. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders received Flacco’s handoff and rolled right before throwing downfield. But safety broke up the pass before it could be caught by receiver . … Callahan and cornerbacks De’Vante Bausby, Linden Stephens and Alijah Holder had interceptions during practice.

Riddick, a seventh-year running back signed by the Broncos in training camp after being waived by the Detroit Lions, split out wide right on a fourth-and-short snap late in the first quarter Thursday night at Seattle when quarterback Kevin Hogan targeted Riddick on a quick slant. The pass was thrown ahead of Riddick, and when he reached out to secure it, Seahawks linebacker Austin Calitro drilled Riddick’s right shoulder and jarred the football loose.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio told reporters Sunday he suspected the hit gave Riddick his shoulder injury with a recovery time that will “probably drag into the regular season.” Riddick is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks, a source told The Denver Post, setting up the most optimistic return date as Week 3 at the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 22.

The injury is a lesson in the unforgiving nature of NFL physicality. Riddick was signed by the Broncos a week ago Sunday and told reporters at the UCHealth Training Center after his first practice: “Denver was it for me. They’re going to utilize my talents and strengths.”

But Riddick hit the injury list four days later and now leaves the Broncos without a valuable offensive asset for a significant stretch.

Riddick, 28, was signed to become the Broncos’ third-down running back as a versatile receiver from the backfield or slot. He tallied 50 or more catches in each of his last five seasons, with 14 career touchdowns receiving. It would appear his role in Denver’s offense now momentarily shifts back to running back Devontae Booker, who served as the third-down back behind Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman last year.

Booker, 27, has 30-plus catches in each of his first three NFL seasons but only one career receiving touchdown. Booker has displayed continued confidence over his role on offense even in the wake of Riddick’s addition to the roster. On Aug. 6, Booker said, “We just have to go out there and compete with each other every day.”

An expansion of Lindsay’s role in the passing game is another possibility to fill production during Riddick’s injury absence. Lindsay hauled in 35 receptions for 241 yards and a touchdown as a rookie, but he spent much of the offseason refining his route running with the technical help of Broncos wide receivers. Lindsay was also a proven college pass catcher while at CU with 117 career receptions for 1,084 yards.

“I feel confident in what I do in my abilities,” Lindsay said. “I can catch just as good as I can run. I run routes just as good as I can cut down the field.”

Holland had signed with the Broncos as an undrafted rookie from Auburn in 2018 and split time last year between the practice squad and active roster. It appeared Holland had an inside track for an increased role this season with the departures of outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett (Buccaneers) and Shane Ray (Ravens) in free agency.

But a strong early training camp performance from undrafted Broncos rookie Malik Reed — a 6-foot-2, 235-pound outside linebacker from Nevada — made Holland expendable. Reed has compiled two sacks and five tackles over two preseason games.

Causey, an undrafted rookie from UCF, had battled a hamstring injury through training camp with the Falcons prior to being waived earlier this month. Causey appeared in 43 college games with five starts and recorded 64 tackles, two sacks, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

If the extra-long week between games at Seattle last Thursday and against San Francisco next Monday can be labeled as the halfway point of the preseason, it����ap time to take a 10,000-foot view of the Broncos.

Here are four story lines moving forward:

Helping/hurting stock

Players who started camp on the roster bubble who have emerged …

1. OLB Malik Reed: An undrafted rookie from Nevada, Reed has eight tackles and two sacks, propelling him into the driver’s seat to be a backup edge rusher to Von Miller and Bradley Chubb.

2. ILB Josh Watson: Another undrafted rookie (Colorado State), he has a team-best 13 tackles and has been trusted to call the defense for the starters because of injuries to Todd Davis (calf) and Josey Jewell (oblique).

3. CB Horace Richardson: If the Broncos keep five cornerbacks, he could get the final spot. He had five tackles (two for lost yardage) against Atlanta.

4. WR Nick Williams: Signed after camp started, he should be the favorite to serve as punt returner/rotational slot receiver. He had a 24-yard catch against Seattle.

Players who need to pick it up …

1. ILB Alexander Johnson: Injuries to Davis/Jewell have allowed Johnson to play 72 snaps. He has nine tackles, but his coverage angles and run-game awareness need work.

2. OLB Jeff Holland: He ended last year as the No. 3 edge rusher but is now No. 5 behind Miller, Chubb, Dekoda Watson and Reed. Holland should hope to do enough to merit a practice squad spot.

3. WR Trinity Benson: A fast start to camp has been followed by a tailoff. He has one catch in 42 snaps and doesn’t appear to be in the punt-return mix.

4. TE Noah Fant: A first-round pick, his roster status is secure, but to be a trusted part of the Week 1 game plan, the coaches should want to see more.

Lock’s progress

Coach Vic Fangio was honest throughout the first two-plus weeks of camp when asked about rookie quarterback Drew Lock. Simply put, he said Lock wasn’t ready yet.

But last Tuesday, Fangio smartly detoured, pointing out how Lock is doing things now — reciting longer play calls, lining up under center and handling protections/checks — he didn’t do in Missouri. It was the kind of public hat tip that Lock needed.

Not that there was a connection, but the week of practice showed itself against Seattle. Sure, Lock’s mechanics are sometimes out of whack, but a Lock-led offense looked better operationally.

Lock has three more preseason games to finetune and win the No. 2 job currently held by Kevin Hogan.

“I think I have a pretty broad horizon of things I want to work on; overall 100 percent, just being a better quarterback,” Lock said.

A key for Lock is managing the storm around him. When he’s in the game, it����ap with backup players who are similarly inexperienced, and things can be clunky.

“He was standing in (the pocket) strong, and he’s getting the passes to where they need to be,” quarterback Joe Flacco said of Lock. “The second half of these (preseason) games are crazy. It����ap 22 guys on the football field fighting for really their (professional) lives.”

”Great week” upcoming

The Broncos practice Sunday Monday, Tuesday and Thursday before San Francisco visits for workouts on Friday and Saturday.

The goal should be simple: Get tons of good work and keep the physicality in line. If 49ers-Broncos are like other joint practices, it will be 1s vs. 1s in team drills, which should spice things up.

Asked how he will benefit, Flacco said: “It����ap practice. It will change the scenery a little bit. I think it����ap always good to break up camp and go against some new guys. I’ve never had an issue with them in the past. I assume good things will come (from them) this week.”

Said Fangio: “This will be a great week for us. We’ve been looking forward to it. A very important week for us.”

The Broncos’ schedule is probably why Fangio is placing importance on it. They play the 49ers on Aug. 19 and then have only two days of practice before playing the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 24, the final tuneup for the starters. If Fangio wants to simulate a regular-season game week (practice/meetings), this will be his final chance.

Roster math

Starting fullback Andy Janovich (partially torn pectoral muscle), and reserve inside linebacker/special-teams core player Joe Jones (partially torn triceps tendon) are not expected to be ready for the regular-season opener.

If a player is placed on injured reserve before the initial 53-man cut Sept. 1, he is out for the season; if placed on IR starting Sept. 2, two players per team can be designed to return after they sit out eight weeks.

If the Broncos feel Janovich/Jones will be ready by, say, Week 3, they could stash them on the 53. And that will impact the roster math. Minus Janovich, the theory is the Broncos will keep rookie fullback George Aston. Minus Jones, the theory is little trickier — the Broncos could decide to go with one less inside linebacker.

Are Janovich/Jones important players? Sure. But not putting them on IR leaves the Broncos in a semi-bind depth-wise and forces them to waive a player they would rather keep.

1. Playing time leaders (offense): G Sam Jones 53, OT Chaz Green 41, G Don Barclay 33, RT Elijah Wilkinson 32, RT Quinn Bailey 31 and G/C Austin Schlottman 31. Among the projected Week 1 regulars, LG Dalton Risner, RT Garett Bolles and C Connor McGovern played 12 snaps apiece and TE Jeff Heuerman nine.

2. Playing time leaders (defense): OLB Jeff Holland 48, ILB Josh Watson 40, S Dymonte Thomas 38, DT Dre’Mont Jones 38, LB Alexander Johnson 36 and CB Trey Johnson 36. Starting DE Adam Gotsis and NT Shelby Harris played six snaps apiece.

3. QB Kevin Hogan’s first drive (three-and-out): LB Foyesade Oluokun beat Wilkinson to stop Khalfani Muhammad to a three-yard gain, Oluokun correctly read a screen to TE Noah Fant (incompletion) and WR Juwann Winfree dropped a 17-yard pass.

4. Hogan’s second drive didn’t start any better as he ran a bootleg right and Fant dropped a five-yard pass after running a shallow cross. Two plays later, Fant ran a quality route (stuck his foot in the ground to change direction) for a seven-yard catch. Muhammad capped the possession with a three-yard touchdown when Wilkinson and Barclay had clean-out blocks.

5. The first two defensive drives: On a three-and-out, Gotsis batted down Matt Schaub’s pass, S Su’a Cravens easily avoided WR Christian Blake’s block for a tackle for loss and after a Holland penalty, Schaub threw incomplete. The second drive was a three-and-out, but the Falcons kept possession after PR Brendan Langley’s fumble.

6. QB Drew Lock’s four incompletions: Ahead of Fant 27 yards downfield, behind WR Steven Dunbar (should have been intercepted), ahead of Muhammad on a wheel route 35 yards downfield and a drop by RB David Williams (fine throw, would have been an easy first down).

7. Lock’s initial first down was a six-yard scramble that became a 21-yard play (15-yard penalty). The drive ended with consecutive sacks (4.35 and 3.39 seconds). On the first sack, the Broncos had a six-man protection against a six-man rush and Lock scrambled into pressure.

8. Among the pressure looks called by Broncos coach Vic Fangio: Dropping both outside linebackers into coverage and rushing three linemen/one inside linebacker and particularly in the second half, blitzing the nickel back.

9. Against back-ups or not, you have to like some of the things rookie OLB Malik Reed did. On Atlanta’s second drive he had a stop for no gain when he was unblocked and later beat TE Logan Paulsen around the edge for a sack.

10. Communication is always an issue in the preseason. On Atlanta’s only touchdown (1-yard pass), it appeared that Johnson should have followed RB Brian Hill into the left flat. Johnson, though, tracked TE Alex Gray on a crosser even though Marshall had coverage. That left Hill wide open.

11. The Broncos’ longest offensive play was a 31-yard run around the right side by Muhammad. Bailey had a pancake block of DE John Cominsky to spring the run.

1. Drew Lock

Lock, a second-round pick, won’t start at quarterback against Atlanta (Kevin Hogan will). But when Lock enters, he will get his first live-action chance to win the No. 2 spot behind Joe Flacco. “Once you’re on the field, you go play the game, but in the end, it takes time to mature as a quarterback in the NFL,” offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said. “There are no shortcuts.”

2 Jeff Holland

When last season ended, Holland was the third edge rusher behind Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. He begins the preseason behind Miller, Chubb, Justin Hollins and Dekoda Watson. The sledding has been difficult for Holland, who has struggled in the 1-on-1 pass rush drills and must prove he’s physical enough to play the run. Under the game lights, Holland needs to kick-start his camp.

3. DeMarcus Walker

The Broncos need to use this month to find out if Walker, a defensive end, is a) not in their plans, b) can be a useful rotational player or c) has some trade value. “He can be a contributor,” defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said. “The first thing we’re going to do is play good run defense and he’s hitting (those) blocks. And he’s showing some improvement in the pass rush.”

4. Su’a Cravens

A semi-forgotten man at the start of training camp except when talking about players on the bubble, Cravens has been available for every practice and seems to have a grasp of the defense, which for him means all safety and no hybrid linebacker. “I want to look at him in the ball game,” Donatell said. “That����ap when we see a safety. His preparation has been good. We’re intending for him to play well in the game.”

5. Nick Williams

Signed last Friday, Williams has impressed with his ability to find open pockets in coverage from the slot receiver spot and he is also in the punt return derby. The Broncos will be without starter Courtland Sutton (rest) and injured receivers Emmanuel Sanders, DaeSean Hamilton and likely River Cracraft. “He’s done well,” coach Vic Fangio said of Williams. “He’s quick, he’s elusive, he’s smart. He’s been in a similar system so the learning curve hasn’t been as steep.”

About the Falcons

Last year: 7-9 (third in NFC South).

Coach: Dan Quinn (fifth year).

Additions: LG James Carpenter, RG Chris Lindstrom, RT Kaleb McGary and DE John Comiskey.

Departures: DE Bruce Irvin, CB Robert Alford, RB Tevin Coleman, CB Brian Poole, LB Brooks Reed and RT Ryan Schraeder.

About the Falcons: The Falcons are unlikely to play any starters against the Broncos. That means a quarterback duo of Matt Schaub and Kurt Benkert. … Atlanta rebuilt its offensive line in the offseason, signing Carpenter from the Jets and using first-round picks on Lindstrom (Boston College) and McGary (Washington). … The Falcons recently signed DT Grady Jarrett and MLB Deion Jones to contract extensions and WR Julio Jones could be up next. … Like Broncos coach Vic Fangio, Quinn will call the defensive plays this year. … New to Atlanta’s staff are offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (former Tampa Bay coach), tight ends coach Mike Mularkey (former Buffalo, Jacksonville and Tennessee coach) and senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton (former Kansas City defensive coordinator).

Did not practice: LB Todd Davis (calf, fifth consecutive missed practice), WR River Cracraft (oblique, fourth consecutive), TE Jake Butt (knee, third consecutive) and WR Juwann Winfree (calf, second consecutive).

Coach said Butt has “hit a little pothole in his recovery (from ACL surgery), but I don’t think it����ap anything too, too serious at this point. He could be out here (Thursday) or he could be another day or two.”

New injuries

WR DaeSean Hamilton (hamstring). He was unable to finish practice after Fangio said he “tweaked” the hamstring.

Top play

Late in 11-on-11 work, rookie TE Noah Fant outran rookie LB Justin Hollins down the left sideline to catch a pass from QB Joe Flacco.

Thumbs up

WR Emmanuel Sanders: He took another step in his recovery by participating in 7-on-7.

S Justin Simmons: He intercepted QB Joe Flacco during 11-on-11.

Thumbs down

Dropped/batted passes: In just the final period of 11-on-11, WRs Trinity Benson and Fred Brown dropped passes and DE Adam Gotsis and NT Billy Winn batted down passes.

The shade: The cloud cover didn’t arrive until practice was completed. Boo.

OLB Jeff Holland: During the first pass rush/protection period, he went 0-3 and jumped offside.

Odds and ends

• The Broncos ran 74 snaps of 11-on-11.
• WR Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles tendon) participated in 7-on-7 for the first time in training camp. “That was the plan today, to get him anywhere from 4-6 snaps in the 7-on-7 period,” coach Vic Fangio said. “That����ap the starting point, and hopefully he’ll start doing more and more.”
• Sanders made a diving catch from QB Joe Flacco. Sanders said: “When I caught it, I said, ‘I’m back, baby.’ It felt good. I’m looking forward to (Thursday) and getting better.”
• Sanders had been limited to individual drills during the first five days of practice. “Just talking with the trainers and knowing we have plenty of time and Week 1 (Sept. 9) is the most important thing, there’s no rush,” he said. “I do want to get back out there and do 1-on-1s and talk smack to (CB) and be myself, but at the same time, it����ap a process and I have to respect that process.”
• The Broncos had their first two scuffles of camp. The first was C Connor McGovern vs. DE Derek Wolfe, ending when Wolfe flung McGovern’s helmet after throwing several uppercuts that didn’t appear to land. The second skirmish was among backup players.
• Fangio wasn’t happy with the postsnap activities. “Yeah, I do (mind it),” he said. “We talked about it. I don’t like it. There’s no need for it. We need to refrain from that.”
• For his part, McGovern said: “The 2 p.m. practice, 95 degrees — things get a little hairy when it gets that hot. There’s no reason to beat each other up, but it was, ‘Hey, don’t do that,’ and ‘Hey, I’m going to do what I have to do.’”
• Quarterback snaps (11-on-11): Flacco 26, Kevin Hogan 20, Drew Lock 21 and Brett Rypien seven. Quarterback snaps (7-on-7): Flacco 14, Hogan seven, Lock seven and Rypien 12.
• Of the Broncos’ practice after a day off, Fangio said: “I thought it was pretty good. There were parts in practice that got a little sluggish on both sides of the ball but leading into that period and after that, I think we dealt with it good.”
• Signed Tuesday, P Justin Vogel went through his first practice. “We had two kickers for a while so now we’re going to go with two punters,” Fangio said. “It����ap always good to have a revolving door there and the competition it will bring.”
• The Broncos play Atlanta in next Thursday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game. The starters traditionally haven’t played in that game. “There could be some starters that get a little playing time, but to be honest, we haven’t discussed it yet,” Fangio said.
• ILB Alexander Johnson ran alongside ILB Josey Jewell with the first-team defense and it was Josh Watson/Joe Jones on the second team.
• Highlights from DL vs. OL: Following wins by OLB Von Miller (vs. RT Ja’Wuan James) and Wolfe (vs. Jake Brendel), the offensive line won eight consecutive matchups, including two by RT Elijah Wilkinson vs. OLB Jeff Holland. Rookie DL Dre’Mont Jones showed quick hands in beating Brendel.
• Odd during the second 11-on-11 period: One snap apiece for Flacco, Hogan, Flacco again and Rypien. Wolfe had a bat-down and S Dymonte Thomas/CB De’Vante Bausby pass break-ups.
• The Broncos had a special guest at camp on Wednesday: Super Bowl winning QB Peyton Manning showed up and played catch with his son Marshall.

Thursday’s practice

9:15-noon (open to fans).
Staff writer Kyle Fredrickson contributed to this report.

Did not practice: LB Todd Davis (calf, fourth consecutive missed practice), WR River Cracraft (oblique, third consecutive), TE Jake Butt (knee, second missed practice), RG (day off) and WR Juwann Winfree (calf).

Coach Vic Fangio, on Butt: “I don’t think it����ap a major concern. Kind of to be expected. It just didn’t feel right for him so we figured back up (Tuesday’s) day off with a day off (Monday) and see how he is on Wednesday.”

Fangio said the Broncos thought it would be “prudent” to give Leary (coming off an Achilles injury) the day off since this is the only time the team will practice five consecutive days.

Fangio said Winfree “got hit (Sunday) and his leg wasn’t feeling right.”

New injuries

S Justin Simmons got the wind knocked out of him when he collided with WR Courtland Sutton, but he returned.

LB Joe Jones was limping and said he got stepped on, but he also returned.

OL Chaz Green got overheated and walked gingerly toward the locker room before getting a cart ride.

Top play

Rookie WR Trinity Benson collected a long pass from QB Brett Rypien for a touchdown.

Thumbs-up

RB Phillip Lindsay. In his first activity since wrist surgery, Lindsay has participated in all five practices, a good sign.

Batted-down passes. No cut-blocking in practice keeps the outside linebackers and defensive linemen on their feet, and they’re taking advantage.

Thumbs-down

Dropped passes: Too many of them. Period. “Just keep catching balls off the quarterbacks and the machine and stay focused and not worried about getting hit. Not yet (concerned),” Fangio said.

The offense. Underwhelming, to put it mildly. Fangio said there is no panic yet, but… “Talk to me in a couple weeks,” he said.

Odds and ends

• The Broncos ran 82 snaps of 11-on-11.
• RB Phillip Lindsay has a brace on his wrist but has not been limited at all. “It was seven months before I really got to touch a football and touch the field. There’s no better feeling than being out here sore, grinding, sweating, looking to the men to the left and right of you and understanding that you guys are doing this together.”
• Asked about adjusting back to football action, Lindsay said: “(With) some parts, I’ve got to go back and just calm down and relax. I feel like sometimes I rush things. I think that’s just because you get back and you get excited.”
• Story Time With Uncle Vic (Practice 5 edition): Fangio was asked about building a culture. “Culture to me is getting a lot of good players in here, getting a good bunch of coaches, doing a good job coaching, then you win games and everybody is happy and all of a sudden, you have a good culture. We’re going to work hard and play smart and try to be on top of things mentally.”
• Asked about the length of practice, Fangio made a point about how the reps are evened out through the roster. “I just think guys have to practice,” he said. “The only way you get better is to practice and get more reps. The one to keep in mind, too, is there are 90 guys out there. There is nobody getting maybe (more than) a third of the reps so individually, (practice isn’t) that long. But that����ap how long a game is. If we were to throw a halftime break in there, we would probably be right about three hours.”
• Quarterback playing time (11-on-11): 32 snaps, Kevin Hogan 21, Drew Lock 21 and Brett Rypien four. Playing time for 7-on-7: Flacco 12 and Hogan/Lock/Rypien six apiece.
• Don Barclay took Ron Leary’s first-team snaps at right guard.
• Flacco’s first pass of 11-on-11 has turned into one of his most comfortable throws — the shallow cross. Flacco hit WR DaeSean Hamilton accurately (in stride), allowing him to turn upfield.
• S Sharmako Thomas and ILB Joe Jones had pass break-ups in the first 11-on-11 period.
• Highlights from 7-on-7 (all sessions): Flacco’s first pass was intercepted by S Kareem Jackson. Flacco later hit Hamilton on a deep route (one-handed catch). Rypien was intercepted by S Jamal Carter. WR Tim Patrick and TE Austin Fort had drops.
• Second 11-on-11 period: ILB Josh Watson was shaken up when he blitzed and collided with OLB Bradley Chubb in the backfield. Flacco ended his segment with a completion to WR Courtland Sutton. OLB Dekoda Watson stayed home on the edge, was unblocked and batted down a Hogan pass. TE Austin Fort dropped Lock’s first pass. DE Adam Gotsis batted down a Flacco pass. WR Fred Brown dropped a pass from Lock. On Lock’s final play, Fangio blew the whistle when Lock scrambled right but dropped the football.
• Third 11-on-11 period: NT Shelby Harris batted down a Flacco pass. TE Noah Fant had a false start to begin Hogan’s section but then caught a pass.
• Fourth 11-on-11 period: Flacco completed all three of his attempts, but went 2 of 5 in his final drive.
• Offensive line vs. pass rushers: The defense had a streak of three consecutive wins (OLB Jeff Holland, DL Zach Kerr and DL Mike Purcell). The offense later won three straight (Jake Brendel, Ryan Crozier and John Leglue). During a drill of two-man rushes, the offense struggled with picking up the stunts. The defense won four matchups in that fashion.

Tuesday’s schedule

No practice. The next practice is Wednesday at 2 p.m. (open to fans).

They both made it a reality last season as rookies.

Holland, an undrafted outside linebacker, appeared in three games for the Broncos. Norton, a seventh-round defensive tackle, was waived by the and signed with the ’ practice squad.

“We went all through high school together,” Holland said. “I actually gave him his nickname, ‘Big Thick.’ That was one of my best friends playing high school ball together.”

So it’s easy to imagine Holland’s difficulty digesting the news last week that changed his friend’s life forever. Norton, 22, had his left arm amputated at the scene of a Miami traffic accident July 4. Norton was released from a hospital last week after six surgeries. Holland could hardly believe it.

“I took a different look at life,” he said.

Norton’s resiliency since the accident has been powerful. He told : “I am alive, and I am grateful.”

“That����ap the guy I know,” Holland said. “But like his mom said, he’s going to need his close friends more than anything. Obviously, he can’t play ball anymore, and that����ap a big part of his life.”

Holland enters the 2019 season inspired by Norton’s positive mind-set with a greater defensive role in mind for the Broncos. The departures of outside linebackers and in the offseason open the door for increased opportunity.

“It����ap just studying my playbook,” Holland said. “The game is slowing down for me, so I can actually play faster.”