NFL Notes: Broncos, Cardinals, Chargers, Colts

Broncos

• Broncos fifth-round TE Jake Butt (knee) said he expects to start the season on the PUP list, but believes he is recovering well. (Troy Renck)

Cardinals

According to Cardinals HC Bruce Arians, veteran QB Carson Palmer had already worn out his arm last year by the team season started from all the throwing he had done during the summer.

“He’s one of the hardest working dudes I’ve ever been around, so we had to really pull the reins back on him,” Arians said on the “Rich Eisen Show.” “He’ll overwork all the time. Last year, he came in to September, he had already worn his arm out by overthrowing all summer. We found a nice regimen, (by) November and December he was playing as good as he’s ever played.”

Chargers

Chargers QB Philip Rivers mentioned during a radio interview on Thursday that he’s hoping the recent report that first-round WR Mike Williams could be out for the year (NFLTR) with a back injury is just a “premature report.”

“Hopefully that’s a premature report and he can find a way to get healthy and get out there with us this year,” Rivers said, via ESPN’s Eric D. Williams.

“You first hate it for him if that is the case, because who wants to start off their career like that,” Rivers added. “Then obviously he’s a guy that was going to be a factor for our team. But on the positive side — all respect to Mike, and I know he would know how I feel about him — but he’s never caught a pass for us yet.

“And we’ve got a great deal of confidence in the receivers we have. And thankfully, we have a heck of a group. And if that ends up being the case, I don’t think you’ll see anybody hang their head and say, ‘Oh, what are we going to do now.’”

Colts

• Kevin Bowen of the Colts’ official site notes that the following players are entering contract years: S Darius Butler, CB Vontae Davis, RB Frank Gore, OG Jack Mewhort, WR Donte Moncrief, K Adam Vinatieri, WR Kamar Aiken, ILB Jon Bostic, CB Rashaan Melvin, and QB Scott Tolzien.
• Bowen could see Davis and Gore pricing themselves out of a contract with the Colts since they are aging veterans that could pursue lucrative contracts.
• Bowen writes that the Colts are “excited” about Moncrief and he could receive a “pay day” from Indianapolis next offseason.