While the quarterback competition seems like it’s nearing an end, so do the starting inside linebacker and cornerback competitions.

In Sunday’s 27-2 victory over the Green Bay Packers, inside linebacker Cody Barton and cornerback Riley Moss earned the starting nod for the second straight preseason game. Neither did anything to show they weren’t ready for the moment.

Payton said after the game that the competition is still pretty tight.

“All of those guys are still getting reps,” Payton said. “We’ll look at tonight’s tape and see how we will roll with it next week, relative to those specific positions.”

In last week’s win over the Colts, Moss started alongside third-year cornerback Damarri Mathis. On Sunday, Moss and Pat Surtain II were with the first team to start the game.

During training camp, Moss has split first-team reps with Mathis and veteran Levi Wallace before the former Steelers cornerback suffered a hamstring injury.

As for Barton, he has been in a neck-in-neck battle with Jonas Griffith for the chance to start next to Alex Singleton in the Broncos’ Week 1 matchup against Seattle.

The way Payton organizes his rotations for next week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals might provide a glimpse into who wins both position battles.

Vele held out: Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele — a training camp standout — did not play against the Packers.

On Thursday, Vele went into the locker room after having his leg stretched out by a trainer and didn’t return to practice. It appeared the trainer also examined an area around Vele’s knee.

Vele didn’t practice on Friday, but Payton said the former Utah wideout was fine and there was a chance he could play in Denver’s second preseason game. Payton did not provide details on Vele’s injury.

Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring), left guard Ben Powers (ribs), offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, and cornerbacks Levi Wallace (hamstring) and Art Green (concussion) also did not play.

Appearing for the first time this preseason were Surtain, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, and defensive ends Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers. All four sat out the opener in Indianapolis.

Allen had a sack while Bonitto batted down a pass and had a nice run stop behind the line of scrimmage while playing with the second team.

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Originally Published: August 18, 2024 at 9:57 p.m.