Broncos coach Sean Payton loathes the preseason depth chart, but it came out as required Wednesday.
A couple of noteworthy listings: Adam Trautman is listed as the team’s top tight end, rookie receiver Marvin Mims, Jr. as the team’s top return man and Jonathan Harris is tabbed as a starting defensive lineman. A day after defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said the team will have packages for both safeties Caden Sterns and Kareem Jackson, they’re listed as co-starters at safety beside Justin Simmons.
Payton used Trautman’s listing as a way of highlighting the fickle nature of printed depth charts. Essentially, he got listed first because he possesses an all-around skill set.
“Adam’s the one guy out here where he does a good, solid job blocking, gives you some flexibility in the route tree,” Payton said, noting that Chris Manhertz’ specialty is blocking and Greg Dulcich is primarily a receiving threat in the passing game.
That doesn’t mean that Trautman’s necessarily going to play more than the other two.
“We’ve got to put together a depth chart and give it to (reporters) and I’ve got to answer questions about, ‘why’d you put him first?’” Payton said, calling football “such a multi-personnel game anymore.”
He added, “Those tight ends are all playing. It becomes easier when you start looking at the play totals (during the season) and you see how much they’re being relied upon.”
Speaking of tight ends, Albert Okwuegbunam is listed fifth behind the top trio and undrafted rookie Nate Adkins.
“All good” for McGlinchey. Payton on Wednesday confirmed that right tackle Mike McGlinchey sprained his knee and avoided serious injury.
McGlinchey will miss a couple of weeks — his return could push toward Week 1 against Las Vegas on Sept 10, but he attended practice Wednesday and did light stretching work with other injured players on Denver’s side field.
“We’ll keep you abreast, but it was all good (news),” Payton said.
Wide receiver Brandon Johnson should only miss limited time as well after he suffered a sprained ankle in practice Tuesday.
Field conditions. Video from Arizona showed the Cardinals practicing on a beat-up field at State Farm Stadium this week.
“They had issues with the Super Bowl there. I don’t know if it’s the same field,” Payton said. “I know they practice there all during training camp. My experience with that field is it’s always been a fast, firm track. It may not always be green because they’re getting so much work on it, but it’s always been a good, firm surface that you can run on. We’ll pay attention to it when we get there.”
Will the conditions have an impact on who plays Friday night?
“The field? No,” Payton said.
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