ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bummed the NFL schedule makers made the Broncos’ final preseason game a national broadcast instead of with your local 9NEWS.
The consolation is the Broncos aren’t likely to play hardly of their starters in the preseason game Sunday afternoon (2:30 p.m. kickoff) against the Arizona Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. In last year’s preseason finale, head coach Sean Payton didn’t play his top 34 players.
Those starters, of course, includes rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who will watch from the sidelines as veterans Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson compete for the No. 2 job.
Payton said one starter who will play is safety Brandon Jones. The Broncos' highest-price free agent this offseason with a three-year, $20 million contract, Jones has missed most of training camp and the first two preseason games because of a hamstring injury.
“That’s always a concern because obviously playing football and being in the meeting room is different,’’ Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said this week of Jones’ prolonged absence. “Having him back out there and getting reps is important. We play next week, so yes, when guys miss time, it’s critical they get back to the playing field and also off the field having their studies in check. Playing the game is playing the game. It’s not on the sideline.”
Another veteran, backup cornerback Levi Wallace, will also play after missing two-plus weeks with a hamstring.
Other players who figure to play Sunday and be on the 53-man roster next Tuesday evening are rookie running back Audric Estime, tight end Lucas Krull and maybe the likes of receiver Marvin Mims Jr., outside linebackers Nik Bonitto and Jonah Elliss.
Here are three things to watch for in the Broncos’ final tune-up before the start of the regular season Sept. 8 at Seattle:
1. Stidham vs. Wilson
This is a competition if the Broncos decide to keep two quarterbacks, not all three, on their season-opening roster. It's noteworthy that Stidham is only expected to play 8-10 snaps with Wilson coming in early and getting the rest of the game.
In other words, just as it Nix vs. Nix for No. 1 -- once the first-round rookie was deemed ready, he was going to get the job no matter what Stidham did -- it may be Wilson vs. Wilson for No. 2.
"The first thing is it will give (Wilson) an opportunity -- I know it will -- with the second group,'' Payton said. "So often it's hard to evaluate that (QB) position if the other elements aren't working. Just watching him follow up the (good) week he had in practice and take it to the game and run the huddle. And just seeing him play."
Stidham has consistently performed better during training camp and again in the second preseason game last week against the Green Bay Packers.
But Wilson is considered to have greater arm talent, the more potential. The contract situations for each player also favors Wilson by $3.25 million. And with the Broncos challenged with squeezing an NFL-most $67 million in dead cap charges ($53 million of which comes from the release of former quarterback Russell Wilson) into their $255.4 million cap payroll, every half-million or so counts.
2. Playing for keeps
For five to maybe 15 Broncos players, this may be the last professional football game they ever play. The roster cutdown from 90 to 53 players will occur Monday and Tuesday. Yes, a dozen or so will return to fill the 16-man practice squad (17 with the international exemption for tight end Thomas Yassmin).
But that still leaves quite a few players whom fans may never see again. Might as well let it all hang out.
3. Settle remaining position battles
It looks like Riley Moss has won the cornerback spot opposite Pat Surtain II. It also looks like Cody Barton has the inside linebacker position next to Alex Singleton – providing the Broncos don’t try to acquire another veteran linebacker via trade or waiver wire.
It also appears Luke Wattenberg has secured the starting center job, although veteran Sam Mustipher and Alex Forsyth will be fighting for a roster spot.
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