Broncos get three key defensive players back at practice

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — For the Broncos, it was all hands on deck as they returned to the field Tuesday to begin on-field preparations for Saturday’s divisional-round showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety P.J. Locke and defensive end John Franklin-Myers returned to practice after battling recent injuries. Greenlaw missed the final two games of the season with a hamstring injury, Franklin-Myers sat out the season finale with a hip issue, while Locke left the Broncos’ regular-season finale due to an ankle problem and did not return.

Locke started the final three games of the regular season in place of Brandon Jones, who suffered a torn pectoral muscle against the Green Bay Packers and landed on injured reserve. Jones could potentially return if the Broncos make it to Super Bowl LX.

First-team All-Pro left tackle Garett Bolles also practiced. He briefly left the regular-season finale with an ankle issue but returned to the game. Bolles told media in the locker room after the Broncos’ 19-3 win over the Chargers that he would be ready to play for the divisional round.

BRONCOS OPEN THE PRACTICE WINDOW ON LUCAS KRULL

Denver also welcomed tight end Lucas Krull back to the field after over three months away. Krull landed on injured reserve in Week 5 after suffering an injury to the fifth metatarsal in his left foot and undergoing subsequent surgery to repair it.

Krull started and played in three games early this season, catching two passes for 15 yards. He saw 81 snaps of action — 53 on offense and 28 on special teams.

Inside linebacker Drew Sanders also went through drills Tuesday. The Broncos opened his 21-day practice window last Saturday after a four-month stint on injured reserve following a foot injury suffered on the second day of training camp.

Related

Bo Nix looked good to Sean Payton in his first appearance back on the fieldSean Payton provides encouraging update on Riley Moss and his rib injuryBroncos star CB Pat Surtain II again voted a top-10 player in the NFLIn Broncos loss, they got a win in something specific that truly matteredBo Nix happy with ‘solid’ first TD drive, says return ‘was like riding a bike’Sean Payton unhappy after Packers demolish Broncos, sends message to starters