Veteran CB Levi Wallace won't start in Broncos debut but expects to take field in 'some other packages'

ENGLEWOOD – Veteran cornerback Levi Wallace won’t start in Sunday’s opener at Seattle but the Broncos figure to still get him some work in the secondary.

“I know they have me in some other packages, and I’ll be able to go out there and compete,’’ Wallace told The Denver Gazette after Friday’s practice at Broncos Park.

When Wallace signed with Denver last April, some considered him the leading candidate to become the starter at right cornerback opposite star Pat Surtain II on the left side. After all, Wallace started 70 of the 83 games he played with Buffalo from 2018-21 and Pittsburgh from 2022-23.

It didn’t end up working out that way for Wallace, who missed about two weeks in training camp and the first two preseason games due a hamstring injury. But he has supported second-year man Riley Moss, in line to start against the Seahawks.

“When you miss a couple of weeks, it’s hard to compete,’’ Wallace said. “They say the best ability is availability. I’m trying to support (Moss). I know it’s his first start at corner.”

Even when he’s not playing, the seven-year veteran can be valuable to the team. He said one of the reasons he was signed by the Broncos was to serve as a veteran influence for the many young players on the team.

“They brought me here to help in the (defensive back) room with lot of guys that don’t have a lot of experience,’’ Wallace said.

When Wallace, 29, was younger, the Broncos also had shown interest in him. He said when he became a free agent in 2020 after playing his first three seasons with the Bills, they reached out.

Wallace ended up returning to Buffalo for one season before moving on to Pittsburgh. Last April, he signed a one-year, $1.152 million contract with Denver.

“I came out here and took a visit with (defensive coordinator Vance Joseph) and we talked football with his smarts,’’ said the native of Tucson, Ariz., adding that he also was impressed with defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard. “It’s close to Arizona, where I’m from. So, it was real attractive.”

Wallace stressed that he could play every position in the secondary. On Sunday, the Broncos apparently will find a way to use him.

Wattenberg back to Washington

During the 2020 season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic, the University of Washington needed a center. So, the Huskies inserted Luke Wattenberg at the spot after he had only played at guard and tackle throughout his football career, including the first four of his six seasons at Washington.

It worked out well. And Wattenberg on Sunday will return to Seattle as the starting center for the Broncos.

“I’m excited,’’ Wattenberg said. “It’s really surreal. I feel I’ve come a long way.”

Wattenberg certainly has come a long way since he joined the Broncos in 2022 as a fifth-round pick in 2022. In the season opener as a rookie, he did get into a game at Seattle, but it was just for one snap on the field-goal team.

Wattenberg did start one game that season but that was his only start in 23 NFL games. His second one will be on Sunday after he beat out second-year man Alex Forsyth to be Denver’s starting center.

“It’s a lot of responsibility,’’ Wattenberg said of his role. “I couldn’t be happier. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and I’m excited to take advantage of it.”

Cooper seeks 20 sacks

Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper believes in setting lofty goals.

When asked Friday how many sacks he wants to get in 2024, Cooper said, “20.”

Cooper, entering his fourth season, had a career-high 8 ½ last season. He said he has set such a lofty goal because he’s “just confident” and because of how things have been going in practice.

“You got to have your goals set high,’’ Cooper said. “If you don’t have your goals set high, then what are you even doing?”

If Cooper were to get just 10 sacks in 2024, he would become the first Denver player to reach double digits since Von Miller had 14 ½ sacks and Bradley Chubb had 12 in 2018. Miller holds the team record with 18 ½ in 2012.

Briefly

The Broncos listed no players Friday on their final injury report for Sunday. The Seahawks listed linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and tight end Pharaoh Brown (foot) as out and wide receiver Tyler Lockett (thigh) as questionable. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald expects Lockett to play. … On their unofficial depth chart, the Broncos listed Michael Burton as the first-team fullback and Lil’ Jordan Humphrey as a second-team receiver even though both are on the practice squad. “I don’t know that there’s any rule whether we can put practice-squad players on, but they’ll be important to our team,’’ said Denver coach Sean Payton. The expectation has been that both will be elevated to face the Seahawks. … With nine of the 11 kickoffs being touchbacks in Kansas City’s 27-20 win over Baltimore on Thursday to open the NFL season, Payton said it was “not surprising” due to teams still “learning” the new kickoff rules.