ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- It seems like every rookie or first-year wide receiver has had his moment so far in training camp. Thursday, rookie John Diarse and returning practice-squad player River Cracraft seized the spotlight.
Cracraft got in on the action early with a one-handed catch of a pass from Paxton Lynch down the right side of the field, then later grabbed a touchdown pass from Case Keenum after he made a perfect adjustment to the pass in the back of the end zone, taking away a potential interception.
Keenum and Cracraft connected again during a later team period, as he found the Washington State product open down the seam for what could have been a 25-yard gain under game conditions.
Given what Keenum said about Cracraft after Wednesday's practice, the ability of the two to collaborate on big plays shouldn't be a surprise.
"I like throwing him the ball," Keenum said Wednesday. "He's a friendly target. He's learning, too. He's learning the NFL game. I think you like having a guy like that, you can move inside, outside, shifty. He's got good separation at the top of his routes. And he's learning, too, just like a lot of those young guys."
They appear to be learning well. Near the end of practice, Diarse got involved, breaking open deep on a post route for a long touchdown pass from Keenum.
The top two tiers of the depth chart appear to be set with veteran starters Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas backed up by draft picks Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton. But from there, it's wide open, beginning with Cracraft and Tim Patrick, who comprise the third unit. Both of them have received occasional snaps with the first team throughout training camp.
Players like Cracraft and Patrick could leave the Broncos with some excruciating decisions at the Sept. 1 deadline to cut the roster to 53 players.
"I hope so. That's a good problem to have. We want every spot on our football team to be that competitive," Head Coach Vance Joseph said. "Obviously, there's also [the] practice squad [as a possibility]. We've got some good young players that are competing at a high level."
OBSERVATIONS
... One aspect of training camp at which the younger players are succeeding is in accepting their role and showing deference to the veterans. Sutton and Hamilton, for example, regularly carry the pads of their veteran teammates without prompting.
"Guys like that last a long time in this league because they understand their role," Sanders said. "I've carried guys' pads, and I think the best teams I've been on -- [players] know their role."
... The Broncos worked in helmets without pads Thursday, limiting the contact they had during the session. That type of work is typical of the final camp practice before a preseason game.
... It didn't take the defense long to make a play Thursday. On the second snap of the first team period, defensive end Adam Gotsis deflected a Keenum pass at the line of scrimmage, setting up Chris Harris Jr. for an interception.
... Cornerback Brendan Langley made a good play on the ball during seven-on-seven work, breaking back to knock down a pass intended for Sutton.
"He had an OK week," Joseph said. "He's learning how to play corner still, but he's a talented player that needs more time to figure out how to play corner. I've been encouraged with his week."
... Safety Dymonte Thomas logged an interception when he read Lynch's intent as he looked deep for Isaiah McKenzie. Thomas tracked the ball and picked it off, running up the left sideline for what could have been a pick-six under game conditions.
... Quarterback Chad Kelly did a good job reacting to the pass rush on one completion, quickly finding a wide-open Phillip Lindsay just beyond the line of scrimmage as defensive end DeShawn Williams closed in on him. Lindsay quickly turned upfield for a long gain.
PERSONNEL NOTES
... Running backs Devontae Booker and Royce Freeman saw most of the first-team work Thursday, reflecting what Joseph said would "probably" be the case early in Saturday's preseason opener behind the first team.
... The pectoral-muscle injury suffered by Menelik Watson forced Billy Turner, a swing backup at both right-side offensive-line positions, to work at right guard. Andreas Knappe moved to right tackle with the second team in Turner's place.
... Defensive end Clinton McDonald remained sidelined with a shoulder issue that is "still being evaluated," Joseph said.
DATA POINTS
... After a chilly morning Thursday, warm conditions greeted the Broncos, with temperatures that spiked from 74°F to 83°F under sunny skies.
The Broncos put another intense practice in the books on the 11th day of training camp before preparing for Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings.
Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) returns an interception as wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) gets a hand on him during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Defensive end Caushaud Lyons (97) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Cleats kick up grass during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
The starting linebackers Ñ outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55), inside linebacker Todd Davis (51), inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) and outside linebacker Von Miller (58) Ñ during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Linebacker Marcus Rush (49) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Center J.J. Dielman (64) and guard Connor McGovern (60) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) gives a fist bump to wide receiver Mark Chapman (85) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Quarterback Case Keenum (4) holding the football during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Quarterback Case Keenum (4) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) smiles during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) returns an interception during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) looks over the line of scrimmage at quarterback Case Keenum (4) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver River Cracraft (15) turns upfield after a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Running back Dave Williams (36) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (79) blocks outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett (48) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) makes a catch against cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Running back Devontae Booker (23) makes a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Defensive end Zach Kerr (92) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Tackle Cyrus Kouandjio (79) blocks against linebacker Marcus Rush (49) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Tight end Matt LaCosse (83) continues to run after being tagged by cornerback Marcus Rios (38) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Defensive end Antonio Simmons (69) and defensive end Adam Gotsis (99), both former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) catches a pass as cornerback Isaac Yiadom (41) defends during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Running back De'Angelo Henderson Sr. (33) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Running back Devontae Booker (23) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver River Cracraft (15) comes down with a touchdown catch as cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) provided tight coverage during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Corey "Philly" Brown (5) reaches for a deflected pass during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Cornerback Brendan Langley (27) practices downing punts close to the goal line during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Practicing keeping punts from becoming touchbacks during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) makes a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) makes a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton (17) makes a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Cornerback Michael Hunter (39) defends wide receiver Tim Patrick (81) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Jordan Leslie (19) turns upfield after a catch during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Quarterback Case Keenum (4) passes out of the pocket as defensive end DeMarcus Walker (57) applies pressure during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
President and CEO Joe Ellis with Barney Visser, co-owner of Furniture Row and the Furniture Row Racing team, during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Safety Dymonte Thomas (35) intercepts a pass during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver John Diarse (9) tries to turn upfield as cornerback Michael Hunter (39) tries to hold him back during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Tight end Brian Parker (89) during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr. (91) avoids making contact after tagging running back Dave Williams (36) in the backfield during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) tries to come down with a bobbling catch in the end zone with cornerback Isaac Yiadom (41) defending during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Head Coach Vance Joseph talks to the team after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Young fans hold Broncos pennants during the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) takes a selfie with a young fan after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signs a boy's cast after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
A boy shows off his cast, which outside linebacker Von Miller (58) signed after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signs autographs for fans after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
A young boy reacts after wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) signed his miniature football after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) pulls his jersey out of a CenturyLink Boostbox filled his memorabilia after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center. Sanders autographed the jersey and other items from the box and gave them to fans.
A young boy and his father after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) autographs a football afterthe 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
A young boy looks on as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) autographs a jersey a young boy is wearing after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
Wide receiver River Cracraft (15) signs autographs for young fans after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
From within a thick crowd of fans, a young boy looks up at wide receiver River Cracraft (15) as he signs autographs after the 11th day of training camp on August 9, 2018, at UCHealth Training Center.
