Before each Broncos game during preseason, we will provide a quick note on the storyline of the week along with a rookie to watch that week. Below are the notes for the “Monday Night Football” showdown with the 49ers set for Aug. 19 on ESPN.
Noah Fant to step up: The Broncos were without tight ends Jake Butt (knee), Bug Howard (ankle) and Jeff Heuerman (shoulder) for last week’s game against the Seahawks and then lost Austin Fort to a season-ending torn ACL in Seattle. Butt and Heuerman might be back on the field this week Denver is still a little thin at the position. With several TEs working back from injuries, first-round draft pick Noah Fant might get more playing time than originally planned. He could end up being the No. 1 option by default.
Rookie watch: After losing OLBs Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray during free agency, the Broncos need a new rotational pass rusher to spell starters Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Undrafted rookie Malik Reed has stepped up in preseason, totaling eight tackles and two sacks through two games. Chubb and Miller saw the rookie’s potential this summer and haven’t been surprised by Reed’s early success. “I see Malik out here every day [at practice],” Chubb said. “Me and Von both knew that he was going to be a ‘dog’ out there.”
