Sean Payton says Broncos will play starters in preseason games

Some NFL teams rest their starters during preseason to lower the risk of injuries. Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton takes a different approach.

“I think the preseason is important,” Payton said Wednesday. “I don’t want to say I’m old school, but two years ago, we were last in the league with players injured and lost for the season. I think 130-some players missed games two years ago. Last year, we finished first in the NFL with 34. So, we’re going to play our starters in the preseason.

“I think it’s important to build a callus. Obviously, you weigh the reps. When I say we’re going to play them, in Week 1 it will be a certain number of snaps, Week 2 the same and then we’ll see where we’re at in Week 3. I think it’s important, so our guys know that, and we played them last year.”

The Broncos will open preseason on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 11. After that, Denver will host the Green Bay Packers (Aug. 18) and Arizona Cardinals (Aug. 25) to close out the summer.

Following preseason, the Broncos will finalize a 53-man roster ahead of their regular season opener on the road against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. Denver is considered an underdog in Week 1.