The Denver Broncos will head to Seattle to play their second preseason game in the last week on Thursday night. The starters likely won’t get much work, so this will be a game for some of the fringe players hanging around on the roster bubble to shine.
Here are four players in need of a solid performance.
1. Devontae Booker
Booker got hit with a double whammy last week. Not only did the Broncos sign Theo Riddick, but he also stood on the sideline and watched as Khalfani Muhammad put together a great game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Muhammad carried the ball seven times for 50 yards and scored a touchdown while adding four catches for 24 yards.
Booker has to get back in the competition before it’s too late.
2. Alexander Johnson
This is Johnson’s time to step up and perform while Todd Davis and Joe Jones sit out with injuries.
Johnson looked good against Atlanta and if he has an encore performance, he could start to lock down a roster spot.
Expect to see him get the start in this one. Other inside linebackers Josh Watson, Joe Dineen and Keishawn Bierria could all be on this list as well. This race will get interesting.
3. Austin Fort
Though it seems like a long shot, undrafted tight end Austin Fort has an outside chance to make the 53-man roster.
Jake Butt and Bug Howard are both hurt. On top of that, Jeff Heuerman is dealing with a shoulder injury that could hold him out.
Fort could see a lot of snaps in this game. He caught two passes for a loss of one yard last Thursday, but he was targeted four times. If Heuerman joins Butt and Howard on the sidelines Thursday night, the only other tight ends are Noah Fant (who may not play much), Troy Fumagalli and Moral Stephens.
Fort needs to step up.
4. River Cracraft
Sixth-round pick Juwanna Winfree made a game-winning catch last week, Trinity Benson has turned some heads in camp and the Broncos have a plethora of weapons in the passing game.
One of them will soon be the odd man out and if Cracraft doesn’t want them to be him, he needs to make some plays.
Will he get an opportunity to return punts? If so, that might be where he needs to show his worth. A player such as Benson, for instance, is more athletic and probably has more potential. Cracraft needs to use his experience to fend off players below him on the depth chart.
