ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos’ second most important player hasn’t played a snap this season.
The last we saw of Jarrett Stidham, the Broncos’ backup quarterback was playing very well. In the Broncos’ last two preseason games, Stidham was a combined 34 of 58 for 336 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.
And then Stidham was shut down, not seen through the first 11 games of this season. Russell Wilson has taken all 682 offensive snaps as the Broncos’ quarterback this year.
Life as an NFL backup quarterback means having patience.
“Oh yeah. That’s part of it,’’ Stidham said Friday afternoon at his locker. “I’ve always approached it the same way. My rookie year I backed up Tom (Brady). It was his last year in New England. I learned early on you never know what’s going to happen. I’ve always prepared like I’m the starter. I’ve always had that mindset. Even last year when I did get to play and start a couple games, my routine stayed the same.
“I have my set list of things that I do Monday through Friday and then again on Saturday and then for the game on Sunday. I’ve been doing pretty much the same routine for five years.”
Stidham is one play away, as they say, from becoming the Broncos’ most important player. Right now, No. 1 is No. 3, Wilson, who has been impressive most of this season, but especially of late.
“Very. He’s playing really well right now,’’ Stidham said. “Doing the things necessary to win. Making plays when he needs to and getting out of the pocket and making plays. It’s been a lot of fun to watch.”
Stidham has watched like no other. Unlike rookie center-guard Alex Forsyth, who has been on the Broncos’ active 53-man roster all season but has yet to dress for a game, Stidham has worn a gameday Broncos uniform and helmet for every game this season. And has yet to step on the field. He vows to be ready if and when he is sent in.
“Each day in practice running the scout team that’s kind of my game day so I try to treat that like a game,’’ Stidham said. “Every play. Body-wise I don’t think I would miss a beat at all. It’s just trying to stay sharp with the game plan.’’
When you’re a backup quarterback, practice can be fun. Even if the first stringers take all the reps.
“I enjoy Sundays and seeing us play but for me prepping the defense every week, I take a lot of pride in doing that,’’ Stidham said. “Trying to give them as good of a look as possible. I’ve always treated scout team as very real. We’re looking at a card and running a play (of that week’s opponent). But I try to play it as real as I possibly can.
“And look at our defense. It’s fun to go against those guys every day because they’re really, really good and the last five weeks it’s hard to argue they’re not the best defense in football. I take a lot of pride in that, trying to make those guys better and they’re obviously making me better.’’
Bronco Bits
Jerry Jeudy, the Broncos’ No. 2 receiver, missed practice Wednesday because of a groin issue and he mostly observed practice Thursday, but he was full go Friday and did not receive a final injury designation for the game against Houston. Which means Jeudy has been cleared to play. …
Backup cornerback Damarri Mathis, a starter earlier in the season but since replaced by veteran Fabian Moreau, did not practice Friday because of a back issue and is listed as questionable. …
The Broncos’ final four road games will all be played indoors and the team practiced Thursday and Friday inside at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse. Head coach Sean Payton said the team would practice at least once week indoors in preparation for future games at the Los Angeles Chargers, at the Detroit Lions and at the Las Vegas Raiders. “It depends on how the week is weather-wise, but we usually come in here once a week,’’ Payton said. “We have a nice facility, so yeah.”
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