The Denver Broncos continue work to develop their new offense under head coach Gary Kubiak, but injuries are making that a little tough. The addition of Evan Mathis is certainly a welcomed sight for Peyton Manning, but injuries to Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas are slowing things down. With both receivers being held back during training camp and the preseason, will Cody Latimer and Virgil Green be breakout stars in 2015?
Sanders continues to sit out of practice following a hamstring injury which is leaving Manning without one of his top weapons. According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com, Sanders is on track to be ready by the first game of the season despite missing a week of practice. Sanders has not fully participated in practice since suffering the injury Aug.6, but Kubiak is confident he will be just fine in a matter of time.
He ran [Wednesday]," Kubiak said, via ESPN.com. " ... Everything was positive, good. I'm hoping [Friday] he gets some throwing in with Peyton. ... I think everything is on schedule for him to be a full-time participant next week. Just sore hamstrings coming out of practice [Wednesday]. I really want them to play this week so I told [head trainer Steve Antonopulos] just to give them a day,"
Sanders is also no at 100 percent as the regular season gets closer. According to the Denver Post, Thomas was not exactly in football shape when he came to camp after holding out for his new contract extension. As a result, he has been sluggish at practice and is working hard to get back to full strength quickly. According to Thomas he is just about at full speed.
"I'm close. I'm about 95 percent. I'm not at 100 percent yet, and I say that because I mess up and have a little mental error on the field sometimes," Thomas said, via the Post.
As a result, Latimer is projected to have a big season for the Broncos as he has gotten in the most work with Manning up to this point. According to the team website, Latimer is well ahead of where he was last season and the extra reps with the quarterback are paying off. Fantasy owners would be wise to look at Latimer as a sleep pick along with tight end Virgil Green who is also thriving at this point in the offseason. Green is attempting to fill the shoes of Julius Thomas who departed in the offseason.
All of these receiving changes pair with the current battle at running back. According to the Post, Montee Ball is free-falling down the depth chart while CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman improve. Kubiak told the media he intends to get Hillman on the field more as he is expected to win out the backup job.