Broncos’ DE Ware close to returning as 49ers come to town

Ponder was released by the Raiders in training camp a year ago and did not play last season but offensive co-ordinator Curtis Modkins expressed confidence Ponder would get a handle quickly on the 49ers’ scheme.

The injury means that the Broncos will now be going with Plan C at defensive end.

Walker, a seventh-round draft pick by the Falcons in 2009, recorded 33 tackles and two sacks last season for the Broncos.

According to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, “Walker was expected to nail down a starting role as the replacement for 2015 breakout star Malik Jackson”.

“I just hope he’s all right and we can get him back”, nose tackle Sylvester Williams said. Free agent pickup Jared Crick appears to be the first in line to do so. The strain of training camp showed Monday when Harris and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders got into a fight at the end of a play in which they were matched up against each other. No punches were thrown. It was one of the early plays in practice.

“The good thing is we’ve got a good enough team around them”, Elway said.

NOTES: Broncos tight end Jeff Heuerman was not able to finish practice because of tightness in his hamstrings.

“Doss has always had a nose for the football”, CB Chris Harris Jr. said.

“You’re always massaging positions, situations to get yourself to opening day”, Kubiak said.

For Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch, the night was a mixed bag.

Gary Kubiak shared his thoughts on Walker in a statement released by the Broncos.

Kubiak said he’d probably decide Thursday which quarterback will start Saturday in the preseason game against the 49ers.

Notes: S Ryan Murphy and CB Taurean Nixon were at practice but not participating. Broncos players and coaches greeted the group and took pictures before heading into the locker room.