Broncos at Vikings
2 p.m., Saturday, U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis.
TV: KTVD-20 (NFL Network out-of-market). Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM.
Five Broncos to watch
QB Drew Lock
Here’s your shot, Drew. Although the incumbent, Lock has been viewed as the underdog in Quarterback Competition 2021 against Teddy Bridgewater. Lock will start against the Vikings and his goals should be two-fold: No turnovers and push the football down the field. “I think we can win with either one,” left tackle Garett Bolles said. “It’s up to them who wants to separate himself in the battle. I’m looking forward to seeing who wins that job.”
ILB Justin Strnad
Starter Josey Jewell (groin) hasn’t practiced since Aug. 3, giving Strnad an opportunity to work with the first unit on base and sub-package downs. Strnad has never played an NFL game after undergoing season-ending wrist surgery last August. He figures to be on the field long after the starters exit and must show he can be physical against the run and aware in zone coverage. “He’s doing good,” coach Vic Fangio said. “Is he doing great? No. Is he making mistakes? Yes. But I’m seeing steady improvement each and every day and I like what I see overall.”
WR KJ Hamler
Hamler missed nearly all of the offseason program and the end of Camp Practice No. 1 (hamstring), but has participated in every session save for Aug. 3 (false-positive COVID-19 test). During Wednesday’s practice against the Vikings, he was making catches all over the field, an encouraging sign for the Broncos. “KJ needs a clump of practice that he really was not able to have last year,” Fangio said. “He’s had it right now. He’s going and hopefully he can keep it going.”
OLB Jonathon Cooper
Multiple heart procedures kept Cooper out of the offseason program and off the radar as a candidate to provide edge-rushing depth. But Cooper, a seventh-round rookie, has had a strong camp and could be leading the race for the No. 4 outside linebacker spot. “He’s getting better and better,” Fangio said. “He did a good job of staying in-tune with everything while he wasn’t (practicing).”
S Caden Sterns
When all six safeties are practicing, Sterns has worked mostly with the third unit, which means he could play most of the second half Saturday. What stands out about Sterns, a rookie fifth-round pick? He’s around the football. “The thing we talk about at safety is you’ve got to have the eyes and you’ve got to be calm in that scheme and in the defense,” safety Justin Simmons said. “(Sterns has) been both of that. He’s doing it at a great level right now and for him, it’s just seeing how that matches up in a game.”
