PLAYER NOTES
–RB Royce Freeman missed last week’s game against Kansas City with an ankle injury and he remains iffy for Sunday’s game against the Texans after missing practice time again this week. Devontae Booker and rookie Phillip Lindsay shared the load at running back in Freeman’s absence.
–S Darian Stewart continues to deal with a neck injury that sidelined him last week. He again missed practice time and his status for Sunday’s game against the Texans remains in question.
–LB Shane Ray returned to practice this week in limited fashion after being inactive last week because of ankle and wrist injuries. He might be able to return to the field on Sunday against the Texans.
–RT Jared Veldheer, who has been sidelined the past month by a knee injury, returned to practice this week in a limited fashion. His possible return could help stave off the Texans’ fierce pass rush led by J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney. Billy Turner has filled in at right tackle in the absence of Veldheer, who was injured in Week 4 against Kansas City.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Rookie WR Courtland Sutton will be under a great deal of scrutiny as he takes his first step in filling the shoes of star wideout Demaryius Thomas, who was traded by Denver to the Texans earlier this week and will on the field for Houston Sunday playing against his former team. Sutton, a second-round pick out of Southern Methodist, has shown promise and his big-play capability was a factor in the Broncos’ willingness to part ways with Thomas. Sutton has 17 catches for 324 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with one start. He is averaging 19.1 yards per reception and has shown an ability to get open downfield for big gainers. But the time has come for him to show he can be productive on a down-after-down basis.
GAME PLAN: The Broncos are hoping to get more consistency in pass protection from their offensive line, especially from tackles Garett Bolles and either Billy Turner or Jared Veldheer. Quarterback Case Keenum was sacked five times in last week’s loss to Kansas City in addition to throwing an interception and losing a fumble. But if he can get time, the Broncos can open up the playbook in their passing game, and get the ball downfield to their cadre of receivers.
The Texans’ passing game is drawing a lot of attention, but the Broncos can’t overlook their running attack, spearheaded by Lamar Miller. He had a season high 133 yards rushing in the Texans’ win over Miami last week after running for 100 yards the week before. He’s the first Texans running back to run for 100 yards in back-to-back games since Arian Foster did it in Weeks 7-8 in 2014. Inside linebackers Todd Davis and Brandon Marshall will have the primary responsibility of shadowing Miller and limiting his impact on game day.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
–Broncos LT Garett Bolles and either RT Billy Turner or Jared Veldheer vs. Texans LBs J.J. Watt and Jadaveon Clowney. The Broncos offense has been stalled at times by some ill-timed holding calls, especially on the edges where Denver’s tackles will again be under pressure to fend off high-profile pass rushers Watt and Clowney. Broncos QB Case Keenum’s consistency has been affected by ragged pass protection, but when he has had time, he has hit his targets. If Bolles and either Turner or Veldheer (who possibly could return from injury this week) can stay with the Texans’ pass-rushing duo, the Broncos’ offense should be able to put together some consistent drives.
–Broncos CBs Chris Harris Jr. and either Bradley Roby or Tramaine Brock vs. Texans WRs DeAndre Hopkins and Demaryius Thomas. Covering Hopkins in and of itself is a formidable challenge but with the Texans’ acquisition from Denver of the play-making Thomas, opposing teams won’t be able to simply roll their coverage toward Hopkins all the time. They’re going to have keep an eye on Thomas as well. Harris, Roby and Brock have familiarity with Thomas, having practiced against him in training camp and most of this season and that will help them, especially in situations where they have to have man-to-man coverage. Hopkins is fleet with sure hands and defenders can’t miss with their jams near the line of scrimmage or he’ll be by them in a flash to hook up with Deshaun Watson for a big play. Roby missed practice time this week with an ankle injury and Brock could see more playing time because of that.
