Gary Kubiak appreciative in return to Broncos sideline

The first thing Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak told the media after practice Monday is that he felt good. “Really good,” in fact.

It was Kubiak’s first press conference back, following the first practice back, after being away from the team for a week while he recovered from a complex migraine he suffered shortly after Denver’s Week 5 loss at home to the Atlanta Falcons.

“It was really tough to watch and be away,” Kubiak said. “I’m glad I’m back.”

And his players were happy to have their leader back also.

“It was good to have ‘Kubes’ back,” said linebacker Brandon Marshall. “I definitely enjoy having him back. I think everybody did. He’s our unquestioned leader.”

And upon his return, Kubiak said his week away from the day-to-day really gave him a greater appreciation of his work and those he works with.

“We’re in a business where you go, go and go. You have 16 weeks to be as good as you can be and all of a sudden taking a few days away from here, when you’re a football coach, is like, ‘What the hell is going on here?’ Kubiak said.

“It’s like having a summer off. It just makes you appreciate the players. It makes you appreciated being around the coaches and the players, even you guys.”

Doctors sidelined Kubiak for a week after the Broncos coach was taken from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in an ambulance following the Oct. 9 matchup with Atlanta and hospitalized overnight for evaluation.

In his place, special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis lead the team in its Thursday Night Football tilt with the San Diego Chargers — a 21-13 loss.

I thought Joe did a great job. He made some tremendous decisions to keep us in the game,” Kubiak said.

He added: “Joe busted his butt. It was a good opportunity for him and his career. He deserved it.”

Kubiak said he spent time during the week going over things with his doctors, saying he was “very encouraged” and the tests he had “came back great.”

“The biggest thing for me is really helping me sleep better,” Kubiak said.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @Johnnyhart7.