Derek Wolfe and Rahim Moore have made it all the way back.
The young defensive Broncos missed the second half of last season because of unusual setbacks. Both were listed as starters at their positions Sunday when the Broncos released their first official depth chart of the 2014 season.
Wolfe, a second-round draft pick in 2012, missed the final six regular-season games and three in the postseason after he was felled by seizurelike symptoms. He has recovered, and his starting left defensive end spot was waiting for him.
Moore, a second-round draft pick in 2011, was playing every down at free safety last season until he was stricken with lateral compartment syndrome in Game 10 against Kansas City. He missed the rest of the season but again is patrolling the Broncos’ defensive center field this year.
There aren’t many surprises on the Broncos’ new depth chart. Peyton Manning remains the starting quarterback. Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker and Emmanuel Sanders are his top targets.
Montee Ball is the starting running back, and all-pro Louis Vasquez is back at right guard.
There are some notable developments at the deeper end of the Denver depth chart, however:
• Sylvester Williams, a first-round pick in 2013, is starting alongside Terrance Knighton at defensive tackle. Kevin Vickerson was a starter last year but is recovering from a hip injury.
• Another defensive tackle, Marvin Austin, a former second-round pick of the New York Giants, is listed on the second team. He is ahead of Mitch Unrein, an invaluable rotational player the previous three years.
• Juwan Thompson is leading the undrafted rookie running back class. He is listed fourth on the depth chart behind Ball, Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson, but ahead of Kapri Bibbs, Brennan Clay and Jerodis Williams.
• At tight end, Virgil Green is listed on the second team ahead of veteran Jacob Tamme. Gerell Robinson is behind Jameson Konz for fourth string. Robinson is a terrific receiver, but that’s just it — he’s a converted receiver. He must show improvement as a blocker.
• Welker is the first punt returner listed, followed by Jordan Norwood and Isaiah Bruce. Andre Caldwell is the first kickoff returner, ahead of Omar Bolden.
The Broncos will convert their depth chart to the practice field Monday starting at 10:30 a.m. They play their first preseason game Thursday night against the Seattle Seahawks at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Denver Broncos’ first official depth chart of preseason
OFFENSE
Wide receiver: Demaryius Thomas, Andre Caldwell, Greg Wilson, Bennie Fowler
Left tackle: Ryan Clady, Winston Justice, Paul Cornick
Left guard: Orlando Franklin, Ben Garland
Center: Manny Ramirez, Will Montgomery, Matt Paradis
Right guard: Louis Vasquez, Vinston Painter, Ryan Miller
Right tackle: Chris Clark, Michael Schofield
Tight end: Julius Thomas, Virgil Green, Jacob Tamme, Jameson Konz, Gerell Robinson, Cameron Morrah
Wide receiver: Emmanuel Sanders, Cody Latimer, Nathan Palmer, Greg Hardin
Wide receiver: Wes Welker, Jordan Norwood, Isaiah Burse
Quarterback: Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler, Zac Dysert, Bryn Renner
Running back: Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson, Juwan Thompson, Kapri Bibbs, Brennan Clay, Jerodis Williams
DEFENSE
Left defensive end: Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Will Pericak, Greg Latta
Defensive tackle: Sylvester Williams, Kevin Vickerson, Mitch Unrein, Cody Larsen
Nose tackle: Terrance Knighton, Marvin Austin, Sione Fua
Right defensive end: DeMarcus Ware, Quanterus Smith, Kenny Anunike, Hall Davis, Chase Vaughn
Strongside linebacker: Von Miller, Lerentee McCray, Shaquil Barrett, Jerrell Harris
Middle linebacker: Nate Irving, Lamin Barrow, Steven Johnson, L.J. Fort
Weakside linebacker: Danny Trevathan, Brandon Marshall, Jamar Chaney, Corey Nelson
Left cornerback: Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, Tony Carter, Louis Young
Right cornerback: Chris Harris Jr., Kayvon Webster, Omar Bolden, Jerome Murphy, Jordan Sullen
Strong safety: T.J. Ward, Duke Ihenacho, John Boyett
Free safety: Rahim Moore, Quinton Carter, David Bruton, Charles Mitchell
SPECIAL TEAMS
Place-kicker: Matt Prater, Mitch Ewald
Punter: Britton Colquitt
Holder: Britton Colquitt
Long snapper: Aaron Brewer
Punt returner: Wes Welker, Jordan Norwood, Isaiah Burse
Kick returner: Andre Caldwell, Omar Bolden