Practice on Thursday morning and watch on Saturday night.

That was Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett’s plan of operation for nearly all of his starting lineup for the preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

Starters on offense and defense went through a physical practice with the Cowboys as temperatures exceeded 90 degrees and there was nowhere to hide from the sun.

Hackett placed a great emphasis on getting quality work in during the joint practice.

“When you’re here (at practice), you can get the starters (some work) and you get everything up to the point of tackling,” he said. “I would say these are unbelievably important and that’s why I’ve always loved doing this throughout my career.”

It is unclear if Hackett will play the starters (and how much) next week at Buffalo. The Bills sat their starters against Indianapolis.

Fourteen practices in, what have the Broncos accomplished in training camp? Here are five things we’re learned:

1. Quarterback Russell Wilson likes a lot of snaps.

The Broncos don’t have to mess around with a quarterback competition like last July-August, allowing Wilson to take all of the first-team practice work. And he likes the work.

For every 4-5 snaps Wilson takes in 11-on-11 work, backups Josh Johnson and Brett Rypien may get 1-2 apiece. And when he’s not participating, Wilson is a man in motion. Throwing on the side. Talking with the coaches. Encouraging the backups.

2. The cornerback depth is being tested.

Nickel back K’Waun Williams (knee) missed a week of camp and hasn’t appeared in any team work since returning and starting cornerback Ronald Darby (back) was injured Monday and remains out.

The injury to Williams has thrust Essang Bassey — who essentially had a redshirt year in 2021 following a torn ACL in December 2020 — into the nickel spot, and Michael Ojemudia into Darby’s spot.

The Cowboys responded accordingly Thursday, going after Ojemudia with multiple receivers instead of challenging Pat Surtain II.

Ojemudia’s struggles in practice should trigger a decision by the coaches to give rookie Damarri Mathis a look this week.

3. Randy Gregory, Billy Turner aren’t close to returning.

Gregory (shoulder) and Turner (knee) signed with the Broncos knowing they would spend the offseason program rehabilitating their injuries. But as they move to within a month of the opener at Seattle, should the Broncos expect Gregory or Turner to be available?

Hackett hasn’t divulged much about return-to-practice timetables, but Gregory and Turner have several hurdles to clear. They have worked out exclusively on a side field and aren’t eligible to participate in walk-throughs due to their PUP status.

If Gregory isn’t ready, the Broncos have the edge rusher depth to make due. If Turner isn’t ready, Calvin Anderson will start at right tackle.

4. Javonte Williams shouldn’t play this month.

Every NFL team needs a few tailbacks to get through the three preseason games and they started camp with Damarea Crockett and Tyreik McAllister ready for that role. But Crockett (ACL) and McAllister (lower body) were lost for the year.

The running back attrition left Max Borghi, Stevie Scott and JaQuan Hardy — all of whom were signed after camp opened — to handle the carries.

Williams shouldn’t play in the preseason and the same for Melvin Gordon, who is nursing a foot contusion.

5. The starting lineup is basically set.

To start 11-on-11 work, it has been the first-team offense vs. the first-team defense and the main theme that has crystallized is the lack of competition for a starting spot.

Jonas Griffith has established himself as the base-down inside linebacker alongside Josey Jewell. Griffith was one of only two defensive starters (outside linebacker Malik Reed) to start against Dallas and he sustained an elbow injury on the game’s second play. Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are working with the second team.

Anderson has taken all of the first-team right tackle snaps because Turner and Tom Compton (back) are injured.

And center isn’t a competition because Lloyd Cushenberry has taken nearly every first-team snap with Wilson.