ENGLEWOOD – Von Miller already has a nice contract, thank you very much.
So that wasn’t why the pass-rushing outside linebacker missed the Broncos’ organized team activity practice Monday morning.
“It was nothing,’’ Miller said by phone Monday afternoon. “I’ll be out there tomorrow.’’
Miller will be the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player for a third consecutive season – unless the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron Donald can parlay his second consecutive offseason holdout into a contract worth more than Miller’s $19.083 million a year average deal.
Besides Miller, the Broncos were also missing star receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders from the OTA session Monday.
“It’s not mandatory so no big deal,’’ said Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, who later added: “I think D.T. had a personal matter and Emmanuel had a personal matter. It’s their time. We can’t take roll. They’ve been here all year. We’re good. We coached the guys that were here today.’’
Ray wrist injury worrisome
This can’t be good. Shane Ray walked off the practice field Monday after doing nothing more than observe the Broncos’ workout while wearing a protective splint around his left wrist.
It’s the same wrist that required multiple surgeries last season and limited Ray to eight games and one sack. A first-round draft pick in 2015, Ray had 8.0 sacks as a part-time starter in 2016.
“They’re just evaluating it,’’ Ray said with a look of disappointment as he walked into the locker room.
“We’re taking it slow, just being smart with guys,’’ Joseph said. “It’s the spring. Our real goal is to get him healthy for training camp, but right now we’re being smart with Shane, and he’s not by himself.”
Other players held out of practice Monday because of physical ailments were the usual group of Clinton McDonald, Jared Veldheer, Ron Leary, Jordan Taylor and Troy Fumagalli, plus Billy Turner, Austin Traylor, J.J. Dielman (sick) and De’Angelo Henderson.
Henderson was taking a day to rest his body as the car accident from a couple weeks ago left him with a strained oblique. The running back should be back practicing Tuesday.
OTA Observations
*Even without his top two receivers, Case Keenum had another good day as the No. 1 quarterback. No. 3 quarterback Chad Kelly also had his moments. No. 2 quarterback Paxton Lynch, though, did not have his best practice.
*Rookie receivers Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton replaced Thomas and Sanders with the No. 1 offense.
Joseph was pleased with how the rookie receivers performed in the passing game Monday.
“They looked fine,’’ he said. “We didn’t miss a beat. That’s what you want from your backup players. Someone’s not here today and they step in and play and we don’t miss a beat. I was very impressed with those three guys including Isaiah McKenzie, who played slot today.”
McKenzie struggled last season as a rookie punt returner, but he never ducked responsibility.
“Last year was a roller coaster,’’ he said. “It was very unacceptable by me. But this year I came back with a clear mindset. I know how to do my job. I know how to catch the ball. I know I can run the ball. I just have to make great decisions.”
*With Henderson out, rookie Royce Freeman continued to push Devontae Booker for the starting running back position.
