Von Miller didn’t blow up the stat sheet in his 2016 preseason debut, but his presence did lead the defense to a pair of successful stops during the first quarter of Saturday’s Preseason Week 2 game with the San Francisco 49ers.
On San Francisco’s first possession the Denver defense forced a three-and-out. The 49ers mustered just three yards on their first touch and the Denver offense took over at their own 35 yard line.
The second time Miller and the Broncos were on the field, the Super Bowl 50 MVP made his way into a play and the Broncos forced a punt after surrendering 34 yards on seven plays. A 15-yard catch and run to tight end Vance McDonald was the longest gain against the first unit.
The first-team defense looked stout, while the backups buckled for the first time. The 49ers took the lead in the second quarter on a 63-yard drive against mostly the second unit.
Miller sat out of the Preseason Week 1 game. After missing most of the offseason workout program due to a contract negotiation, Miller has been on a graduated play program. He said last week he is nearing “Von speed.” Once he does, expect to see him on the stat sheet plenty.
Here’s what the Denver media had to say about Von’s first game action since winning the Super Bowl.
#49ers go 3-and-Out in their opening drive #MidSeasonForm
— Jahmai Webster (@WebsterOnTV) August 21, 2016
Von Miller acts like a literal brick wall blocking any chance of Hyde making a gain #broncos
— Mic DePinto (@c_rasta5) August 21, 2016
Not super awesome for the (mostly) second team defense right now.
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) August 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/767178019899252736
Again, mostly second teamers. https://t.co/5LadwZ7zr4
— Jake Marsing (@JakeDMarsing) August 21, 2016