The Denver Broncos are set to kick off their home preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers here shortly, and they’ll be without several players during tonight’s dress rehearsal.
Denver Broncos inactives vs. Green Bay Packers
The Denver Broncos first home preseason game is here and Broncos fans will get to see their first in-person look at rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who is getting the start tonight with the first-team offense. In what could be a game where Nix locks up the starting job, here is a list of players who won’t participate in tonight’s game against the Packers.
- Safety Brandon Jones
- Cornerback Levi Wallace
- Cornerback Art Green
- Offensive guard Ben Powers
- Offensive guard Nick Gargiulo
- Wide receiver Devaughn Vele
Brandon Jones will not play in tonight’s game against the Packers despite returning to practice earlier this week after missing time with a hamstring injury. The Broncos’ main goal is to get him to the regular season, where he will start opposite P.J. Locke at safety. Devon Key has done a terrific job filling in for him and has gotten valuable on-field reps that have given Denver’s coaching staff confidence in their depth behind Locke and Jones.
Levi Wallace has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury himself and it has impacted his standing in the Broncos ongoing position battle for CB2 opposite of Patrick Surtain II. That battle has dwindled down to Riley Moss and Damarri Mathis and those two will continue to compete here tonight where the starting job could be decided following the game.
Art Green has had a terrific offseason but will miss tonight’s game while working his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol following his collision with Jelani Woods last week in the Broncos’ 34-30 win against the Indianapolis Colts. He’ll likely return to practice this upcoming week as the team prepares for their third and final preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals before roster cuts occur.
Devaughn Vele will not play tonight after leaving practice on Thursday and missing Friday’s joint practice against the Packers. While head coach Sean Payton says Vele will be fine and that he’d still have a chance to play in tonight’s game on Friday, the team is making the right decision by holding him out, considering his impressive offseason.
Starting left guard Ben Powers won’t play this evening despite practicing throughout the week. In last week’s preseason game against the Colts, he took a shot to the ribcage from teammate Samaje Perine on an interception return. Rookie Nick Gargiulo will also not play for the second consecutive game.
