As the sun’s presence over Dove Valley began to fade late Tuesday afternoon, a ray of light shone upon the Broncos’ practice fields.

Two rays of light, actually — in the form of Rod Smith and Tony Scheffler running up and down the east practice field as their teammates finished off a post-practice dose of special-teams work.

Both, of course, remain on the physically-unable to perform list, but their jaunts represented tangible progress, and the first public sign of progress in their respective rehabilitation work.

Meanwhile, back on the field, the practice was as much defined by who wasn’t on the field as who was there.

NOTES FROM THE AFTERNOON:

ATTENDANCE REPORT: The shoulder injury Domenik Hixon incurred did indeed keep him out. “Hopefully he can go tomorrow or if not the next couple of days,” Head Coach Mike Shanahan said … Ian Gold’s back spasms sidelined him … Brandon Stokley and Adam Meadows both practiced after sitting out the morning session … Players who kept a one-a-day schedule and sat out Tuesday included cornerback Champ Bailey, safeties John Lynch and Nick Ferguson, offensive linemen Tom Nalen and Matt Lepsis, defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, defensive tackle Sam Adams and tight end Stephen Alexander … Lamont Reid and Doug Nienhuis and the three players on the physically-unable-to-perform list also continued to sit out … Javon Walker was in uniform, but did not take part in the team segments of practice.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS: It was time for more two-minute drill work at the end of practice, with the offense given the following scenario: Two minutes on the clock, three timeouts, 80 yards to the end zone and an eight-point deficit. The first-team offense began by facing the second-team defense, and Jay Cutler used a pass to Daniel Graham and a nice 13-yard lob to Brandon Stokley and a 11-yard toss to David Terrell to move to the defense’s 36-yard line. From there, the defense stiffened, forcing four consecutive incompletions, the last of which folllowed Jim Bates’ fourth-and-10 exhortation: “It’s money time right here! It’s money!” Thanks to a near-interception by Jeff Shoate, his second-team defense cashed in big time… Special-teams work closed the afternoon with some time spent on kickoff returns.

WHO’S WHERE? With Lepsis and Nalen sitting out the practice, Chris Myers took over at center, right tackle Erik Pears shifted over to the left side and Adam Meadows took Pears’ spot at right tackle … Elvis Dumervil lined up at right defensive end with Ekuban sitting out the practice … Domonique Foxworth worked with the first team at safety alongside Curome Cox … Karl Paymah lined up with the first team at left cornerback … D.J. Williams was bracketed by D.D. Lewis on the strong side and Louis Green on the weak side.

STANDOUT PLAYS: Where the first-team offense failed, the No. 2 offense succeeded, marching 80 yards in the two-minute drill to a fourth-and-goal Mike Bell touchdown run. The primary momentum was supplied by a 35-yard pass from Patrick Ramsey to Nate Jackson; Jackson caught a pass on a slant and was not tagged, allowing him to get up and run an extra 15 yards … Jay Cutler and Brandon Stokley hooked up for receptions throughout the practice … Dré Bly, who finished the day with two picks and a fumble recovery, leads the defense with with four turnovers for camp so far … Andre Hall caught a pass that bounced off Louis Green in one-on-one work; even though Hall was out of bounds, what made the play applause-worthy was that Hall was two steps up the berm on the west side of the practice field and falling on the hillside when he made the catch … Fullback Paul Smith made several receptions during the day’s work … Cutler

ONE-ON-ONE LINE NOTES: The duels between the offensive and defensive linemen were the subject of scrutinous focus Tuesday afternoon, with General Manager Ted Sundquist, salary-cap majordomo Mike Bluem, scouts Greg Miller and Scott DiStefano and former Texans/Redskins general manager Charley Casserly all watching the action intently … Gerard Warren earned Jim Bates’ praise after pushing Ben Hamilton back three yards, with the coach yelling, “Much better! Much better!” … Tim Crowder drove into Chris Kuper during one duel, causing the first-team right guard to lose traction in the grass. “Heck of a play!” exhorted Bates … Jarvis Moss got the better of most of his matchups, not merely using his edge-rushing skills, but also knocking Adam Meadows off-balance on one play … Tim Crowder earned praise by using a rip move to get past fellow first-day draftee Ryan Harris.

Now, the photos:

And on that note, we’re done for the day. Back with more from what ought to be a spirited and hard-hitting practice Wednesday. Until then, vaya con Dios.

Tags: Rod Smith, Tony Scheffler, Training Camp

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