Denver Broncos Week 13 Practice Report: Lynch to lead

The big news out of Dove Valley this week was that second-year quarterback Trevor Siemian will miss the 11 am start against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Siemian, who has started all but one game this season for the Orange & Blue, missed the entire week of practice dealing with a sprained foot suffered on the opening overtime drive Sunday night. With the lingering injury causing No. 13 to be listed as day-to-day, the offense will be driven by first-round pick Paxton Lynch.

Lynch, who went 23-35 for 223 total yards in a Week 5 loss to Atlanta, has been preparing for his opportunity to see playing time and has shown just enough to make coaches and staff confident in their decision.

“He’s more comfortable than he was six, seven weeks ago. He’s more comfortable in the base things. He’s just more comfortable with the group, you can tell. He’s been around now for a while,” head coach Gary Kubiak said after practice Thursday. “All those things add up to him being a little more comfortable in everything he’s doing each and every day.”

Kubiak was also asked if Lynch has progressed since his debut and was quick to respond.

“He’s further along. He’s further along mentally and further along in what we ask him to do on a weekly basis. He’s further along in how quickly he processes information as compared to six, seven weeks ago.”

Siemian, who is fresh off a career high 368-yard performance against Kansas City, is expected to fully recover but there is no timetable for his return.

Rookie fullback Andy Janovich was placed on injured reserved earlier in the week and will miss the remainder of the season after accumulating 77 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown. Janovich injured his ankle Sunday night against the Chiefs.

Broncos’ wide receiver Bennie Fowler has also been ruled out of the Sunday afternoon contest while he deals with a knee injury and is listed as day-to-day. This will be Fowler’s second stint on the injury report as the young receiver missed the first two weeks of the 2016 campaign with a fractured elbow.

Another Bronco that will be watching from the sidelines this Sunday is long snapper Casey Kreiter while he nurses a lingering calf injury. Kreiter also missed the Week 12 matchup and will be replaced by Thomas Gafford, who was signed last week in replace of the injured Kreiter.

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