ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos have exited the first week’s worth of practices of the regular season with all of the starters on their 53-player roster available for this Sunday’s opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
Only defensive end Kenny Anunike (knee) was designated as out for the game. Anunike had knee surgery last month.
Following Friday’s practice, coach Gary Kubiak said linebacker Lerentee McCray (groin) was questionable. Every other player is available for the game.
“[McCray] has had a really good week, he’s come a long way,’’ Kubiak said.
Wide receiver Andre Caldwell, who had been sent home Thursday with flu-like symptoms from the team’s facility, practiced Friday and will play against the Ravens. Caldwell had been sent home as a precaution, to both rest him and help prevent other players from getting sick.
“He’s fine,’’ Kubiak said. “I think if we would have pushed him through [Thursday], he would have stayed -- it just didn’t make any sense. He knows what he’s doing, get him home, get some rest. He had a good day [Friday], he’s ready to go.’’
The Broncos will open the season with two defensive starters suspended -- safety T.J. Ward for one game and defensive end Derek Wolfe for four games. David Bruton Jr. is expected to get at least some of the work in Ward’s strong safety spot while Vance Walker and Antonio Smith will be in a rotation the Broncos use in the defensive front against the Ravens.
“Anytime you lose two of your top players off your defense, it’s got to affect you some,’’ Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said. “The other guys will step up and I think we’ll play real well with Wolfe out and T.J.’’
