ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — As the Broncos began to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs, several key players returned to practice on Wednesday.
Wide receiver KJ Hamler practiced for the first time since injuring his hamstring against the Jets, while Noah Fant (ankle) and Melvin Gordon III (illness) also practiced after missing Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Hamler and Fant were listed as limited participants — along with Bradley Chubb (ankle) and Mike Purcell (knee) — while Gordon was a full participant.
"We're hopeful that he can play this week," Head Coach Vic Fangio said of Hamler. "We'll see how he does in these next couple days of practice."
Cornerback A.J. Bouye (shoulder) continued to practice as he nears a return off the team's injured reserve list, and defensive linemen Dre'Mont Jones (knee) and DeMarcus Walker (calf) practiced for the first time since their injuries as the Broncos started the clock on their league-allowed 21-day practice window.
All three players were limited on Wednesday, according to Fangio, and the Broncos could activate any or all of the three players before Sunday's game.
The Broncos, though, did have several players who were unable to participate in Wednesday's session.
Guard Dalton Risner (shoulder), wide receiver/return specialist Diontae Spencer (shoulder), outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu (quad) and Andrew Beck (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday with injuries. Both Attaochu and Beck worked on a side field with trainers during the media-viewing portion of practice. Practice squad linebacker Josh Watson was not required to be listed on the official participation report, but he also worked on a side field.
"He's got the shoulder that he couldn't finish the game with the other day," Fangio said of Risner. "We're hopeful that he'll play, but it's questionable."
Right tackle Demar Dotson also did not practice, but his absence was not injury related.
Several players currently on injured reserve also worked on a side field, including running back LeVante Bellamy, linebackers Mark Barron and Austin Calitro and tackle Elijah Wilkinson.
