P.J. Locke is set to miss Denver’s game Sunday night against Minnesota, but the Broncos otherwise will have everybody available.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (hip) and left guard Ben Powers (foot) are among those who did not have a game designation Friday on the team’s final injury report, meaning they’re cleared to play against the Vikings.
Jeudy ran routes during the open portion of Friday’s practice and was a full participant, while Powers was limited but jumped right back into offensive line repetitions next to starting center Lloyd Cushenberry.
Locke did not practice for a second day in a row. He was relegated to working out on the side field. Kareem Jackson returns from suspension and will start next to Justin Simmons in the Broncos’ secondary and Delarrin Turner-Yell is likely to be the third option.
Denver added left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle) and running back Samaje Perine (ankle) to the injury report as limited participants, but both are set to play Sunday night as the Broncos try to win a fourth straight game.
Preparing for Jefferson. The Broncos spent the week preparing for Minnesota as if star wide receiver Justin Jefferson will return from injured reserve.
Jefferson started the season on an historic pace — 543 receiving yards over the first four games, a 17-game pace of more than 2,300 yards — before a hamstring injury in Week 6 landed him on the shelf.
He practiced last week but didn’t play in Minnesota’s win over New Orleans and Friday was listed as questionable by the Vikings.
“We’re preparing like he’s playing. That’s how we’re preparing,” Payton said.
The Broncos coach also spoke highly this week of rookie receiver Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson, who have seen their production take off in Jefferson’s absence.
Of Hockenson, who has 23 catches over the past three games, Payton said, “When you do the hit sheet this late into the season or midseason, if you look at the dots and the analytics, they can kind of tell you where the ball is going. Generally speaking, that player is a little closer to the quarterback than the outside receivers and oftentimes can be a really high percentage (target). He has exceptional receiving skills.”
Krull coming on. Denver elevated tight end Lucas Krull from the practice squad Monday night for the game against Buffalo, and he played 20 snaps.
The 6-foot-6, 260-pounder is probably the fastest of the Broncos’ available tight ends at this point and is a candidate for elevation again Sunday against the Vikings.
“He’s got good size, good length, he runs really well and he has good hands,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “He’s probably, as you categorize tight ends, he’s probably more on the receiving end as far as where his strengths lie. You probably saw him out there a lot on third down and passing situations. That’s where his strengths are.”
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