AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Courtland Sutton got into a fight and had to be separated during practice earlier this week. The two have apparently made up after holding a joint interview together and there’s no lingering tension heading into the season.

“It stands good. Obviously, we’re family,” Sanders said, via Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. “We went to the same school and grew up in the same area. It’s a miscommunication and that’s just what it is. At the end of the day, we’re back on the same page trying to be the best receivers in the world. Sometimes through failure, there is growth. And I feel like me and him have grown through this in terms of bringing that dog out even more and just ready to win and tear it up.”

The two later joked the next time they threw down would be on pay-per-view. Broncos QB Joe Flacco said he hadn’t seen teammates in the same position group fight before, but that everyone had moved on well. 

“I guess there’s a first for everything,” Flacco said via Ryan O’Halloran. “When things come from a good place and you have two competitive guys and practice is having its ups and downs in the beginning part of things, that stuff happens.”

• Broncos LB Joe Jones won’t need surgery for a partially torn triceps, but he will still miss a few weeks. (Mike Klis)
• Broncos LB Josey Jewell has an oblique strain and will miss Thursday’s preseason opener. HC Vic Fangio said there’s no timetable for his return, but added the injury was “a short-term thing.” (Nicki Jhbvala)

Chargers

The Chargers activated LB Jatavis Brown from the PUP list on Tuesday for his first practice of training camp. Brown ended 2018 on injured reserve and is hoping to stay healthy in 2019, as two of his three seasons so far have been marred by injury. 

“He’s picked up pretty much where he left off,” HC Anthony Lynn said via Eric Williams. “He’s had a good offseason. He’s had a good camp so far, and we’ll see if he can take it into the games.”

Raiders

Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict says he feels at home in Oakland, calling it one of the best team environments he’s ever been a part of. The only other team Burfict has played for in his NFL career has been the Bengals. 

“I just think it’s exciting for people to see what type of team we have because the team chemistry we have is just amazing,” Burfict told the Associated Press. “This is my second team, but it’s the first time I’ve had a team like this and everybody gets along. It doesn’t matter what type of day it is. We’re all here to see each other get better and motivate each other. We’ve got a lot of characters, in a good way.”

• The Athletic’s Vic Tafur notes second-round CB Trayvon Mullen is closing the gap between himself and Gareon Conley/Daryl Worley for a starting cornerback position. 
• Tafur says the Raiders could address punter, defensive end and maybe wide receiver during roster cuts at the end of the preseason. 
• Raiders DT Eddie Vanderdoes remains sidelined with a concussion and hasn’t practiced since July 28. (Michael Gehlken)