SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A couple of former San Francisco 49ers weren’t able to play against their former team Saturday night for the Broncos.

Right tackle Mike McGlinchey and nickel K’Waun Williams, both of whom played for the 49ers earlier in their careers, were among eight Denver players not in uniform for the team’s second preseason game.

Denver’s list didn’t feature any surprises based on the week of practice.

McGlinchey is working his way back from a sprained knee sustained earlier in camp, and Williams has been out for more than a week with an ankle injury.

The rest of the players not suited up for the Broncos: Safeties P.J. Locke and Justin Simmons, cornerback Riley Moss, running back Tyler Badie, wide receiver Brandon Johnson and tight end Chris Manhertz.

DL Jones back. While several missed the game, another former 49er, defensive lineman D.J. Jones, was back in uniform eight days after sustaining a concussion against Arizona in the preseason opener.

Jones, who had a concussion in 2022 as well, saw increased practice activity over the course of the week.

Safety Caden Sterns was in uniform, too, after spending most of the practice week out or limited by an injury that appeared to crop up on Monday.

FG unit. One week after second-year offensive lineman Luke Wattenberg was steamrolled on a blocked field goal attempt, starting offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz took his place in pregame warmups.

Game captains. The Broncos’ game captains for the night: Meinerz, Sterns, punter Riley Dixon, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, inside linebacker Alex Singleton and Sterns.

“Ahead of the curve.” Payton clearly respects the 49ers and coach Kyle Shanahan. In discussing Mike Shanahan’s Hall of Fame credentials recently, the Broncos head coach said Kyle is one of the offensive play-designers and coaches who is “ahead of the curve.”

“When you’re doing something that’s good, people study the tape and say, ‘Does it fit what we are doing?’ I’ll look at the touchdown reel this week from the preseason just to see what it looks like and get onto 49ers film. You have to stay up to date with it.

“There are a few people who you would say are ahead of the curve a little bit, and that is why those guys become priority looks when you are studying.”

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