ENGLEWOOD -- NFL Week 8 games remain on schedule to be played after zero positive tests Saturday morning from the Broncos, Chargers, Vikings and Giants.
The Broncos returned to practice Saturday, a day after starting right guard Graham Glasgow tested positive for COVID-19. Glasgow will miss Sunday's game against the Chargers, who also had an offensive lineman ruled out after contracting the virus, but Demar Dotson (pictured blocking) and Austin Schlottman, identified as close contacts, were cleared. Schlottmann will start for Glasgow, whose status for next Sunday's game at Atlanta remains in jeopardy.
"It's a credit to those two," said Broncos coach Vic Fangio, who gets a text or call with test results at 4 a.m. each day, admitting it's a little unnerving.
The Broncos have remained in intensive protocol since running backs coach Curtis Modkins tested positive two weeks ago. As a result, the Broncos received the green light to practice Friday, but coach Vic Fangio scratched the idea after talking with CEO Joe Ellis, exercising an abundance of caution, while keeping players at home and switching to Zoom meetings.
"Really it was just my gut that I thought it was the right thing to do at that time. There was no magic formula. It was left up to me and my gut said it was the right thing to do yesterday," Fangio said. "And I was glad I did it in retrospect."
With the cases surging across the country, including Denver, the Broncos have been impacted. Two employees have tested positive recently, and offensive line coach Mike Munchak was quarantined this week, though it was not revealed whether he caught the virus or came into close contact with someone who has it. He will not coach Sunday.
Denver hosts the Chargers at 2:05 p.m. at Empower Field at Mile High, seeking its first home victory this season. It is viewed as a must-win game if the 2-4 Broncos are to climb back into contention.
Footnotes
Running back Phillip Lindsay was a full participant in a light tempo workout Saturday. He must clear one more test in the concussion protocol Saturday afternoon to play against the Chargers. Clearly, he's heading in the right direction, and there's growing belief that he will be able to play. ...
The Broncos activated FB/RB Jeremy Cox to active roster. ...
Tim Patrick was limited in practice. His status remains questionable for Sunday's game because of a hamstring injury.
