2019 ScheduleAll times ET

2019 Schedule

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos fell to 1-3 in preseason with 10-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. But in his first action since suffering a knee injury last September, tight end Jake Butt finished with two catches for 17 yards. The Broncos are hopeful Butt won't have any issues in the days following Saturday's game -- they will practice next on Monday. Butt said on the team's broadcast after the game "I've got bigger goals ... I worked my ass off to get back out there.''

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos gave rookie quarterback Brett Rypien the two-minute drill just before halftime Saturday night against the Rams, an indication they are now at least kicking the the tires on the idea of him being on the Week 1 roster in some fashion. Rypien, whose snaps have been limited in the preseason so far, went 5-of-6 for 29 yards on a field-goal drive. The Broncos have decisions to make regarding who will be Joe Flacco's backup given Drew Lock's right thumb injury.

AP Photo/Ron Schwane
3dJeff Legwold

Broncos rookie QB Lock could open season on IR

Broncos coach Vic Fangio said it's possible that rookie quarterback Drew Lock could open the season on injured reserve after suffering a sprained thumb on his throwing hand in Monday's preseason game.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Thursday Kevin Hogan will start at quarterback against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday night and that rookie Brett Rypien would also get some playing time. Fangio added Hogan would play more in the game. Fangio also said virtually all of the starters would not play against the Rams, though it was possible tight end Jake Butt, who has not played in the preseason, would play at least some if he came through Thursday's practice and Friday's on-field work without any issues with his knee.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock said Thursday that the virtual reality gear at the Broncos' facility will have to be a significant part of his daily routine since he cannot throw in practices as he recovers from his right thumb injury. He said he will have to do "two times'' more classroom work since he will not be practicing and "the VR stuff upstairs is going to be heavily used ... it helps a lot, being able to see what Joe (Flacco) does, kind of from his angle and things ... being able to see every single rep, being able to see what the defense does, being able to see it in a ton of different looks.'' He said he used VR in his sophomore and junior years at Missouri as well.

Ric Tapia via AP
3d

Elway avoids surgery in treating hand condition

Hall of Fame QB John Elway recently underwent a non-surgical treatment to attempt to straighten his fingers and is now trying to raise awareness about the debilitating medical condition known as Dupuytren's contracture.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos players signing autographs and meeting with a group active-duty military after Wednesday's practice.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos linebacker Todd Davis suffered a calf injury in the first week of training camp and has not returned to practice. On Wednesday, Broncos coach Vic Fangio said he's still uncertain if Davis will be ready to play in the Sept. 9 regular-season opener in Oakland."It's too early to say (he won't play in the opener), but it's definitely a possibility.'' On Davis' recovery, Fangio added: "He won't practice (Wednesday), probably won't practice this week at all. He's a little bit behind where we had hoped, so it's still up in the air.''

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

And on left tackle Garret Bolles' holding penalty in Monday night's game against the 49ers -- it negated a 45-yard pass play from Joe Flacco to Emmanuel Sanders -- Broncos coach Vic Fangio said on Wednesday: "On the play you're particularly talking about, it wasn't his fault there on that. He was supposed to get a chip from the tight end, he set accordingly to get that chip. The tight end didn't chip him, which put Garett in a bad spot and caused that holding penalty. That wasn't Garett at all.''

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos coach Vic Fangio on Wednesday when asked about quarterback Drew Lock's sprained thumb: "It's going to be a little bit of time, he sprained his thumb and obviously with the quarterback your right thumb is pretty important. So, it will be some time.'' He said the team won't bring in another quarterback "right now.'' And when asked if the injury will impact how the roster looks when cuts are made to get to 53 players next week, Fangio added: "Well, we'll attack, we'll cross that bridge when we need to next week. We'll see where he's at, we'll get more medical opinion and it could or it could not (affect the roster).''

Russell Lansford/Icon Sportswire
5dJeff Legwold

Broncos QB Lock has significant thumb sprain

Broncos rookie quarterback Drew Lock underwent an MRI on Tuesday that confirmed a severe sprain to the thumb on his throwing hand.

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images
6dJeff Legwold

Broncos' Sanders has highlight-reel grab in return

Emmanuel Sanders, back for the Broncos eight-and-a-half months after suffering a torn Achilles, said his pregame emotions were topped only by those from before Super Bowl 50.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos coach Vic Fangio on whether he has concerns about the team's special teams play after Monday night's preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers: "Yeah, big-time concerns because that's two weeks in a row our special teams have gotten whipped. And we're going to have to get it fixed. Obviously we don't have 53 guys ready to be picked on this team yet and those last 10, 15 spots have to be special teams contributors and right now it doesn't seem like they're playing well enough and if it continues we're going to have to put some starters out there on those units because the last two weeks are unacceptable.'' The 49ers had two kickoff returns for 80 yards by Richie James Jr.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

After Monday's preseason game, which was quarterback Joe Flacco's first home game with the Broncos, Flacco said Peyton Manning's tenure had a clear effect on the home crowd. Flacco said: “One thing I noticed, it was really weird, but you can tell Peyton played here, because when the offense has the ball, it's like ‘man you can hear a pin drop,' so that was a little different to be honest with you. It's always quiet for the home team when they're on offense, but that was a little extra, I felt like I could hear my voice echoing off the stadium so I was a little thrown off by that.''

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos quarterback Drew Lock had a small splint on his right hand/wrist after Monday's game. Asked if he thought he would be able to play Saturday against the Rams he said he would "know more tomorrow."

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

Broncos lead 9-3 at halftime as their starting defense looked the part Monday night as they surrendered 32 yards in their 15 snaps of work with an interception, a near interception, two batted passes at the line of scrimmage, a sack and a forced fumble.

Jeff Legwold ESPN Senior Writer 

As expected wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, playing in his first game since he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury last December, was introduced with the starting offense Monday night. He was the first player introduced.

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