AFC Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos’ HC Vic Fangio spoke about WR Courtland Sutton being limited during the team’s first day of OTA’s after his season-ending injury in 2021.

“He’s not doing everything,” Fangio said, via Around The NFL. “I don’t think he ran routes today in the ‘skelly’ periods. We’re kind of easing him in. Some days he will and some days he won’t. His rehab has been fantastic thus far. He’s had a great attitude. I’ll be surprised if he’s not ready to go sooner than what the timetable might be. He’s had a great offseason and he’s had a great effect in the training room with the other guys that are rehabbing. He’s been infectious in that way. Courtland is a stud, and it won’t be long before he’s out there.”

Chargers

Chargers’ S Derwin James was not surprised about the large turnout of players for the first day of OTA’s.

“I wasn’t surprised at all,” James said, via Pro Football Talk. “We’ve been together already this offseason, already voluntary by ourselves. We had a lot of guys already committed and bought in. They want to learn, they’re eager to learn, there’s a lot of hungry guys here. Everybody’s here and everybody’s taking in all the learning that we can.”

James adds that he has been impressed by new HC Brandon Staley and his staff.

“We’ve got a lot of guys here with a lot of knowledge,” James said. “They’re just coaching us up, they’re just getting us in the right position, and we’re just listening and soaking it all in.”

Raiders

Raiders DE Clelin Ferrell said he isn’t worried about not filling the stat sheet because production will be there regardless. 

“I think the biggest thing for me in the big scheme of things is just not growing weary,” Ferrell said, via Pro Football Talk. “I think the No. 1 thing is, I’ve got tape of me dominating games. I’ve got practice film of me killing it in practice. And for a lot of people, the results are going to come. I’ve got stats, but they’re not the dominant stats that everybody wants to see from myself because they know I can get them. It’s cool, but at the same time, I’ve got to stay patient, stay consistent. At times it does get tough because you’re like, ‘Dag, man, I just want to have the numbers.’”

“I’m putting the work in every day. But I think it’s me staying disciplined, staying true to myself, not trying to be outside of myself. I know who I am as a player and the No. 1 thing is I know it’s going to pay off. So, just staying disciplined and being myself every single day. Be the same person every single day regardless of what anybody says, regardless of the circumstances, just come in work hard and try to get this team to a Super Bowl.”

• Raiders DE Maxx Crosby said DE Yannick Ngakoue will attend OTAs even though he hasn’t shown up yet: “He’s going to be here very soon. Can’t wait to play with him.” (Paul Gutierrez) 
• Raiders OL Richie Incognito said first-round OT Alex Leatherwood is taking in coaching so far: “He’s picking up what Coach Cable’s putting down.” (Gutierrez)
• So far, 84 Raiders players have shown up for OTAs. (Vic Tafur)