In line to make first NFL start, Broncos CB Riley Moss 'ready to make a play' when tested by Seahawks

ENGLEWOOD – With star cornerback Pat Surtain II patrolling the left side of the Broncos’ defense, Riley Moss knows he’s going to be tested on the right side.

He vows to be ready.

“It’s a thing that you know it’s going to happen,’’ Moss said. “I hope it’s going to happen, and I’m ready to make a play.”

Moss, a second-year man from Iowa, is in line to start at right cornerback in Sunday’s opener at Seattle. With Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith ready to take aim at Moss, he offered a reminder of what happened when he was picked on during his first start in college against Minnesota in 2018 as a true freshman.

“I went out there and I got three deep bombs like on the first drive and I ended up with two picks that day,’’ said Moss, speaking after Thursday’s practice at Broncos Park.

Moss, taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, played only 23 snaps from scrimmage last season as a rookie. But he did plenty during training camp and the preseason to show he was worthy of being a starter.

“I think just learning the defense, having them trust me and growing in that man-to-man and even zone as well,’’ Moss said of what he did well.

Although Moss is listed as first team on the depth chart, Broncos coach Sean Payton declined to confirm Wednesday that he will start. Although Moss is expected to get the call, the Broncos do have veteran Levi Wallace available if he were to falter.

Welch comfortable with Payton

After inside linebacker Kristian Welch was waived last week by Green Bay, he got a call from Payton. He liked what he heard from the coach.

“Sean reached out and we had some good conversations, so I just felt like this was the right place at the right time,’’ Welch said.

So the Broncos signed the five-year veteran and waived rookie linebacker Levelle Bailey. They later signed Bailey to the practice squad.

Welch had gone against the Broncos with the Packers in an Aug. 16 joint practice and a Aug. 18 preseason game. He had six tackles, including one for loss, and an interception in that game and believes his overall showing while in Denver ended up being a successful audition.

“It certainly didn’t hurt,’’ he said. “It was nice to get to Denver and obviously see their team and our team in practice and then in the game.”

Welch called it a “little weird” to have joined the Broncos not long after going against them, but said he is “excited” about the opportunity.

Parham back with Lombardi

After he was waived last week by the Los Angeles Chargers, tight end Donald Parham got several offers to join a practice squad. He considered it an easy decision to sign with Denver’s squad due to offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who previously had that job with the Chargers.

“Lombardi reached out to me and he made it known he wanted me here,’’ Parham said. “I really like him.”

The 6-foot-8, 240-pound Parham played for the Chargers from 2020-23, and Lombardi was the offensive coordinator from 2021-22.

“You see how tall he is,’’ Lombardi said. “He’s hard to defense even when he doesn’t look like he’s open. … I was really excited about him when we had him (with the Chargers).”

In four seasons with the Chargers, Parham caught 67 passes for 764 yards and 11 touchdowns. But he was let go after head coach Jim Harbaugh took over.

“(Harbaugh’s) offense is kind of built around run-heavy blocking tight ends, so that just kind of wasn’t my fit,’’ Parham said.

Henningsen vows to be ready

After spending two years on Denver’s 53-man roster, defensive lineman Matt Henningsen was waived last week. He then agreed to join the Broncos’ practice.

“I’m all right,’’ he said. “I’m good. I just got to stay in the moment and take advantage of the opportunities you do get.”

Henningsen vows to be ready if the Broncos look to elevate him for a game at some point. His goal is return to the 53-man roster.

“I’m just trying to keep improving,’’ he said of what he needs to do. “Improving my pass rush. More consistency. Things like that.”

Briefly

There figures to be some adversity when rookie quarterback Bo Nix makes his first NFL start Sunday, but Lombardi likes the ability he has to bounce back. “If something bad happens, you hear him yelling, ‘Next play. Next play,’’’ Lombardi said. “It’s all you can affect is the next play, so he’s done well with that.” … Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said defensive lineman Jordan Jackson, who starred at Air Force, was “close to making our roster” last season. Jackson spent the year on the practice squad and made the 53-man roster last week. “He got stronger in the offseason,’’ Joseph said. “That’s helped his game.” … For the second straight day, the Broncos on Thursday had no players listed on the injury report.