AFC West Notes: Broncos, Chargers, Raiders

Broncos

Broncos OC Rich Scangarello made it clear that the No. 2 quarterback job “absolutely” remains a competition between rookie Drew Lock and Kevin Hogan.

“We’ve had a plan from Day One of training camp and we’re executing it,” Scangarello said, via Ryan O’Halloran of the Denver Post. “The bottom line is, there is a balance of how you try to develop each guy, but there’s a finite amount of reps. . . .Practice, it might even be on run plays, is good for Drew to call the play, break the huddle and run the show.”

“You have to be steady and continue to improve your craft,” Scangarello added. “It won’t happen overnight. It’s going to be incremental as you get more comfortable in this league and in this offense and what it takes to be a quarterback.”

Chargers

Chargers QB Phillip Rivers mentioned that he’s “pulling for” RB Melvin Gordon, as he holds out for a long-term extension. 

“I know Melvin knows I’m pulling for him,” Rivers said, per Eric Williams of ESPN. “And in saying that, that means you want what’s best for him. You want him to feel great. You him to be at peace with how it all ends, and hopefully it’s right here.

“He knows that. I doubt anything I said will make PFT headlines, but I think those that know me will know that’s what I meant all along.”

• Adam Schefter reports that Chargers WR Keenan Allen suffered an ankle injury in practice this week that is not considered serious, but could cost him the remaining three preseason games. Allen is expected back for the Chargers’ regular-season opener.
• Chargers S Derwin James suffered a foot stress fracture this week. David Chao says that this injury will cost him a “minimum” of six weeks and should lead to him being placed on injured reserve. James is obviously a candidate to return later on in the year. (Alex Marvez)
• According to Chargers HC Anthony Lynn, there is no timetable for James to return. The expectation is that James will play in 2019, but they can’t say for sure right now, as they’re still evaluating all recovery options. (Omar Ruiz)

Raiders

Raiders QB Derek Carr admitted in an interview with Sal Paolantonio of ESPN that having a year under his belt has really helped him take command of HC Jon Gruden’s offense this summer. 

“Year 2, we’re having different level of conversations,” Carr said. “I have two offseasons under my belt, almost two training camps under my belt, I have a full year of experience under my belt, of knowing what checks he wants, what he wants me to get to, what his thought process is on third-and-short, on second-and-short, I know what routes he wants me checking to versus different looks. I’m doing my best just to execute this difficult offense. There’s just so much on the quarterback’s plate that it’s different from some of the other systems that I’ve been in.”

• Raiders first-round RB Josh Jacobs says that things are starting to “slow down” for him: “It’s slowing down for me already. That’s the only way I can really explain it.” (Vic Tafur)