One tweak to the NFL\u2019s dynamic kickoff rule not only spiked the number of returns in Week 1 league-wide, but it might also eventually impact how teams approach the opening coin toss.<\/p>\n
A touchback now brings the ball out to the offense\u2019s 35-yard line, meaning even one first down ensures that, even if the offense punts, it will have a chance to pin the other team deep in its own territory.<\/p>\n
Denver coach Sean Payton on Wednesday described it as starting in positive field position rather than neutral.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019ve got a team that\u2019s a little more touchback-oriented than put-it-in-play oriented, against those type of teams and you get a good weather day or, depending on the conditions \u2014 if you know you have a really good chance of starting at the 35-yard line \u2014 it may change that defer decision a little bit,\u201d Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi said Thursday. \u201cIn the past, you really didn\u2019t think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also makes end-of-half and end-of-game situations more complex. The Broncos decided to try to cover a kick with 16 seconds left in the first half in Week 1 because Tennessee had two timeouts and only needed 20 yards or so to get into Joey Slye\u2019s range.<\/p>\n
The move backfired when Chimere Dike ran it back 71 yards and made the field goal a chip shot, but that\u2019s what the league is looking for. More action on the play.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great because it\u2019s made the play relevant again,\u201d said Rizzi, who was part of an advisory group that\u2019s helped the NFL adopt the dynamic kickoff rule and tweak its framework over the past two years. \u201cFor so many years, this kickoff play got a little bit irrelevant. I think we saw a Super Bowl a couple years with 13 or 14 touchbacks, whatever it was.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow this play has become more exciting, it\u2019s become safer, and it\u2019s become a must-watch play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singleton breaks thumb (again).\u00a0Inside linebacker Alex Singleton, meanwhile, said he broke his left thumb again during Sunday\u2019s win over Tennessee, which is why he remains on the injury report \u2014 albeit as a full practice participant.<\/p>\n
The new break is in a different spot than the one he sustained during training camp, and he said it won\u2019t keep him from playing, but likely will require a cast for a few weeks going forward. Singleton played Week 1 without much protection besides a small brace over the original injury.<\/p>\n
Positive injury news. The Broncos overall got good news on the injury front Thursday.<\/p>\n
Defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (knee) and tight end Evan Engram (calf) each were full participants in practice, putting them on track to play Sunday at Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
Engram only played one snap from the middle of the third quarter on in the Broncos\u2019 opener against Tennessee and was in the medical tent twice during the second half. He was a limited participant Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Franklin-Myers finished the game Sunday but didn\u2019t practice Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Tight end Nate Adkins, meanwhile, was upgraded to a limited participant Thursday, his first practice work since injuring his ankle Aug. 7 in a joint practice against San Francisco and having \u201ctightrope\u201d surgery. It remains to be seen if he\u2019ll debut against the Colts, but the third-year player is on a return track.<\/p>\n
Greenlaw still out. Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw, however, didn\u2019t participate again Thursday. He has not practiced since the regular season began.<\/p>\n
Payton on Wednesday said Greenlaw\u2019s recovery is \u201cgoing well,\u201d but given the lack of practice activity, he is likely looking at a Week 3 return at the earliest. The Broncos didn\u2019t put him on injured reserve to begin the season, a clear indication they expected him to miss fewer than four games.<\/p>\n