<
        >

          NFL Nation

          With roster cuts looming, Broncos got some, but not all, of their answers

          play
          What does a healthy Charles do for fantasy owners? (0:45)

          After flashes of promise vs. the Packers, Matthew Berry explains how Jamaal Charles being healthy and having a role in Denver affects fantasy leagues. (0:45)

          • Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior WriterAug 28, 2017, 10:30 PM
            Close
              Jeff Legwold is a senior writer who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years, joining ESPN in 2013. He also assists with NFL draft coverage, including his annual top 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended every scouting combine since 1987.
            Follow on X

          ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- As the Denver Broncos zero in on their roster cuts to get to 53 players by Saturday’s league-mandated deadline, they got at least some additional answers in this past weekend’s win over the Green Bay Packers.

          Most notably, when running back Jamaal Charles returned to work after what will be his only preseason action, his knees had responded just fine.

          “He felt great the next morning,’’ said coach Vance Joseph after Monday’s practice.

          Charles, who has played in just eight games over the last two seasons because of multiple knee surgeries, was at full speed in Monday’s practice. Though he won’t play in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, Charles showed plenty of quickness as the Broncos went through team drills.

          Charles played 16 snaps against the Packers as he rushed for 27 yards on four carries to go with two catches for 15 yards. Charles also made a key block in pass protection on a blitz pick-up and likely spared quarterback Trevor Siemian a big hit in the process.

          The Broncos are crowded at running back and have taken a measured approach with Charles’ workload throughout the preseason. They also have to decide if they will keep five running backs, including fullback Andy Janovich, on the roster when they've kept four in the past, including last season.

          “It was fun to see him play, take some contact, catch the ball and pass protect,’’ Joseph said. “Just play football for the first time in a long time. He came out of it fine.’’

          Center Matt Paradis, who had offseason surgery on both hips, also got what will be his only preseason work in a game against the Packers. Paradis played 40 snaps in the game -- the same as some of the offensive starters like Siemian, guard Ron Leary, tackle Garett Bolles and tackle Menelik Watson.

          Joseph said Monday that Paradis, too, had come through the game without any issues and is on track to start the Sept. 11 regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.

          A decision that did not get made when the coaches convened on Sunday and on Monday morning was who will start at left guard. Joseph had Allen Barbre and Max Garcia split time against the Packers -- Garcia played 24 snaps against Green Bay as Barbre played 23 -- and the coach had originally hoped to make a call on a starter after reviewing the game.

          That hasn’t happened.

          “They both played very well,’’ Joseph said. “After our meeting on Sunday morning, we said we could play both guys. We’re not concerned about who is going to be the starter at this point. They both played very well. We need them both … We may not make a decision. We may just play both guys because they’re both playing so well … We may name them both starters. How about that?”