BRONCOS TRAINING CAMP GLANCE: 13 players sit out of morning practice

ENGLEWOOD - The Denver Broncos had a light day Thursday, which might have been needed with injuries piling up.

Denver had 13 players out of pads for the morning practice. Receiver David Kircus hurt his hamstring during practice, although he said he was fine and will return soon, and offensive tackle Ryan Harris hurt his back.

Harris’ injury wasn’t considered serious either.

The Broncos didn’t practice in pads in the morning, and had a special-teams session in the afternoon. Most veterans don’t participate in special teams practices.

“These guys have been doing a good job,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “Hopefully their bodies can heal a little bit, we’ll get some of the guys back on the field and we’ll get after it tomorrow with some shoulder pads on.”

Some of the players who have missed most of this week’s practices, like linebacker Louis Green (knee), defensive end Jarvis Moss (knee) and receiver Brandon Stokley (quadriceps), might be held out of Monday’s game.

HIGH POINT

Mike Bell took many snaps as the second tailback, ahead of Cecil Sapp. Sapp is listed as second on the depth chart but running backs coach Bobby Turner said he is splitting repetitions evenly between Sapp and Bell and there has been no decision on who will be the second tailback against San Francisco.

“I just go out there every day and do the same thing,” Bell said. “I let coaches take care of playing time and reps and stuff like that.”

LOW POINT

The Broncos will be without the left side of their starting offensive line for the preseason opener Monday at San Francisco. Shanahan said although left tackle Matt Lepsis’ groin injury is not serious, he has been ruled out of the game. So has left guard Ben Hamilton, who has a concussion.

QUOTABLE

"I’ve made a lot of improvements, a lot of improvement, from last year. I’m excited to see what I can do.” - running back Mike Bell.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Broncos practice at 9 a.m. today with gates opening at 8. Their afternoon practice starts at 3:10 p.m. with gates opening an hour earlier.

THREE TO WATCH

Curome Cox, safety: Cox had an interception on the last play of the morning practice.

John Lynch, safety: Lynch and tight end Nate Jackson attended former 49ers coach Bill Walsh’s funeral Thursday. They were scheduled to return to Denver on Thursday night. Lynch played for Walsh at Stanford. Walsh recommended Jackson to the 49ers coming out of college.

Jeff Shoate, cornerback: Shoate, who has had a good camp, lined up as the third cornerback

in the nickel package — five defensive backs — instead of Karl Paymah. Regular nickel cornerback Domonique Foxworth practiced at safety because of injuries and Lynch’s absence.

INJURY LIST

New Thursday: S Hamza Abdullah (right hamstring, day-to-day), WR David Kircus (hamstring, day-to-day), OT Jacob Rogers (left knee, day-to-day), OT Ryan Harris (back, day-to-day)

Still out: WR Rod Smith (hip, indefinitely), LB Warrick Holdman (spinal cord concussion, day-to-day), WR Brandon Marshall (quadriceps, day-to-day), OT Doug Nienhuis (knee, day-to-day), CB Lamont Reid (arm, day-to-day), WR Marquay McDaniel (hamstring, day-to-day), WR Glenn Martinez (right thigh, day-to-day), DE Jarvis Moss (left knee, day-to-day), LB Louis Green (left knee, day-to-day), G Ben Hamilton (concussion, day-to-day), WR Brandon Stokley (left thigh, day-to-day), S Quentin Harris (right knee, day-to-day), OT Matt Lepsis (groin, day-to-day)