AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

• According to Nicki Jhabvala, Broncos second-round rookie G Dalton Risner was wearing a walking boot on his foot. He left briefly on Sunday with an ankle injury but returned to play and said he wasn’t seriously hurt: “Y’all know me. I’m always good.”

Chargers

Chargers QB Philip Rivers has always been a little more turnover-prone than the average high-level quarterback. But after throwing four interceptions Monday night against the Chiefs — giving him seven in the last two weeks — his turnovers are severely hampering Los Angeles’ chances of crawling back into the playoff race. 

“It’s a football game,” Rivers said via ESPN’s Eric Williams. “If you could just pick and choose and never throw them ever, I’d choose to throw zero. So I certainly don’t want to throw them, but I know it’s hurting us right now. So obviously I need to cut them out.”

Chiefs

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes likely gave some fans a scare when a defender landed on his previously dislocated knee during Monday night’s game against the Chargers. Mahomes limped around a little bit afterward but never exited the game and said afterward he was fine. 

“I got hit on my knee for the first time,” Mahomes said via ESPN’s Adam Teicher. “I’m kind of sitting there like ‘That’s the first time I’ve taken a shot there.’ I just kind of felt it. It felt fine. I just kind of got back up and kept going.”

• Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill will have an MRI to determine the severity of the hamstring injury he suffered Monday. (Mike Garafolo)

Raiders

Sunday’s 17-10 win against the Bengals highlighted how much production the Raiders have gotten from their 2019 draft class. First-round RB Josh Jacobs continued his candidacy for offensive rookie of the year, while Oakland received strong contributions from other, less-heralded members of their draft class. Fourth-round DE Maxx Crosby notched four sacks, fourth-round TE Foster Moreau caught a touchdown pass, fifth-round WR Hunter Renfrow led the team with five catches and third-round CB Trayvon Mullen had a critical interception. 

Some teams limit how much they ask of their rookies. That’s not the case in Oakland and Raiders HC Jon Gruden said it’s critical to their success. 

“The game plans are very long and extensive. We’re not limiting anything,” Gruden said via Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I think that’s the key for their development. . . . You’ve got to keep challenging these guys, giving them more and more things to learn and do and experience. And, man, have they responded.”