Cornerback Chris Harris opened today’s game as the nickel back, marking his first career start.
The rookie out of Kansas became the 13th college free agent in team history to make the opening-day active roster out of training camp, extending the eight-year streak.
Last week against the Dolphins, Harris was called upon as the nickel back late in the game and made two pass breakups in overtime.
“(Harris) had good football character coming out,” Head Coach John Fox said earlier this week. “He’s a guy that when you go through the college free agency—it happened a little bit later in the offseason this year—but that was kind of his M.O. coming out. He’s proved that to us over time as far as his competitive nature on the field and his work ethic to get better every day, and he has. He’s starting to reap some of those benefits.”
The rest of the Broncos starters were as follows:
Offense: QB Tim Tebow, RB Knowshon Moreno, T Ryan Clady, G Chris Kuper, C J.D. Walton, G Zane Beadles, T Orlando Franklin, WR Eric Decker, WR Eddie Royal, WR Demaryius Thomas and TE Daniel Fells.
Defense: DL M. Thomas, DL Elvis Dumervil, DL Ryan McBean, LB Von Miller, LB D.J.Williams, LB Wesley Woodyard, CB Champ Bailey, CB Andre’ Goodman, CB Chris Harris, S Brian Dawkins and S Quinton Carter.
