AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos HC Vic Fangio reminded reporters that second-round QB Drew Lock has “hardly” played under center before coming to the NFL and is still working on calling “formations and checks.”

“One thing you got to remember about him he hardly has ever been under center in his life. He’s hardly ever had to call a play in his life—a formation and checks. Once he gets through that the other stuff will come easier and quicker,” said Fangio, via Mike Klis.

• According to the Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, Broncos LB Joe Jones got a second opinion on his torn triceps injury, which confirmed the first diagnosis. 
• Jones won’t need surgery, but he will be out for six to eight weeks. 

Chiefs

• According to the Kansas City Star’s Brooke Pryor, Chiefs RB Damien Williams returned to practice Wednesday after sitting out for a while with a hamstring injury. 
• Williams initially worked behind RB Carlos Hyde during team drills. The Chiefs have said Williams is their starter heading into 2019.

Raiders

Raiders QB Derek Carr said believes their two joint practices with the Rams ahead of their preseason opener on Saturday is good given Los Angeles will use multiple schemes. 

“It’s good to go against a different scheme,” Carr said. “I really enjoy it and especially when it’s two really professional teams that aren’t trying to prove their manhood or prove their toughness to each other. Obviously, football is a physical game, but when there are just fights and brawls, I think that’s pointless.”

• Sal Paolantonio reported on Sports Center that the Raiders have “no timetable” on WR Antonio Brown‘s return from a foot injury stemming from a mishap with cryogenic therapy, per Michele Steele. 
• NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport seconded a report from Pro Football Talk, saying team sources told him Brown was day-to-day. 
• Raiders’ head athletic trainer H. Rod Martin said Brown “can’t handle the sharp cuts” right now, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
• According to the Athletic’s Vic Tafur, Raiders OT Kolton Miller has worked hard to gain weight entering his second NFL season. The 6-9 Miller measured in at 309 pounds at the NFL Combine in 2018 and says he’s now up to 330: “I just feel more sturdy, I guess, less easy to push around. I feel like it’s a lot easier to push people off the ball.”
• Raiders GM Mike Mayock hopes a combination of additional weight and having to play fewer snaps with the addition of other defensive ends will help Arden Key improve upon his one-sack rookie year. 
• 2018 fifth-round P Johnny Townsend is locked in a fierce battle with undrafted free agent P A.J. Cole, per HC Jon Gruden: “(Cole) can kickoff, he can hold and he can punt. He’s got a great leg, and Johnny Townsend and A.J are going to have a real battle in these first few preseason games.”
• Raiders’ second-year DT P.J. Hall left Tuesday’s practice after tweaking his lower back/hip area in practice and could be kept out of the joint practices with the Rams this week. (Michael Gehlken)