Sean Payton has ideas about how to get Russell Wilson back to playing efficient football.
In fact, he said Wednesday it was a key part of the longer-than-normal break between Thursday night’s loss to Kansas City and the 1-5 Broncos’ return to work Wednesday.
“Listen, we’ll get him back (on track),” Payton said. “I thought there were certain elements to the plan I didn’t like. We can correct that. That being said, and I said it after the game, I was pleased with how we ran the ball, and yet, we didn’t throw it nearly well enough. That wasn’t just on him. It starts with me relative to finding those throws for him — drive starters, for instance, and first-and-10 throws that are higher completion percentage throws.”
Wilson played easily his worst game of the season and by some measures his worst as a Bronco at Arrowhead Stadium, throwing for just 95 yards and turning the ball over twice.
Wilson’s been sacked eight times over the past two weeks and has turned it over three times in that stretch after four mostly efficient outings to start the season.
“We’ve done some really good things offensively, but didn’t play our best game the last game,” Wilson said. “… I didn’t play my best game, but I’ve been feeling really confident all season long. Standing in there, making your plays. It’s always going to be a battle week in and week out.”
Return to IR possible for Dulcich. Tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring) wasn’t present at Broncos practice Wednesday. Payton said the team was still evaluating whether Dulcich would return to injured reserve, which would knock him out a minimum of four more games.
“If we need to, we will,” Payton said. “I’m sure he’s frustrated just like we are for him.”
Dulcich has played in just two games this year between hamstring injuries. The second came after 11 snaps Thursday vs. Kansas City.
Players can do two stints on injured reserve during a season and return to play twice under modified rules, but each team only gets to designate eight players to return over the course of a season.
Browning nearing return. Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning has been back to practice for two weeks and appears to be nearing a return from the physically unable to perform list.
Browning hasn’t played yet this year after offseason knee surgery, but on Wednesday was a full practice participant for the first time.
The third-year edge has been making steady progress toward getting back on the field and now should be close to returning to a rotation that features Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper and Ronnie Perkins.
The rest of Denver’s injury report Wednesday: Running back Samaje Perine practiced and wasn’t even on the injury report after he hurt his knee late in Thursday’s loss to Kansas City. Defensive lineman D.J. Jones (knee) was a full participant, as was center Lloyd Cushenberry (quad). Starting safeties Justin Simmons (hip/groin) and Kareem Jackson (neck) were limited.
Broncos promote Humphrey. Denver had a roster spot open after releasing Frank Clark this weekend and used it by promoting receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad. Humphrey has been on and off the 53-man roster twice but has played in every game this year for Denver.
The Broncos also re-signed receiver Michael Bandy to the practice squad.
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