Andy Janovich was the smartest dummy on the field. The Broncos’ rookie fullback lined up as a lead blocker for three consecutive plays in the second quarter of the season opener at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. But just as the Carolina Panthers grew to expect his shoulder in their chests, Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian sneaked a quick hand-off to him.
And Janovich raced 28 yards for a touchdown. It was his first NFL rush. He became only the third Broncos rookie to score on his first career rushing attempt, after fullback Kyle Johnson and quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt each did it in 2005. Janovich, a sixth-round pick from Nebraska, also became the first fullback to score a Broncos touchdown since Spencer Larson in 2010.
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Inactives. Receiver Bennie Fowler, offensive linemen Ty Sambrailo and Connor McGovern, defensive lineman Kyle Peko, quarterback Austin Davis, cornerback Lorenzo Doss and tight end Jeff Heuerman were inactive for Thursday’s game. Fowler was ruled out Wednesday with an elbow fracture he sustained in the preseason opener at Chicago. Sambrailo is working his way back from an elbow injury, and Heuerman has dealt with a string of injuries in camp, first his hamstring and now his ankle.
Davis, who was signed Saturday after the Broncos released Mark Sanchez, worked out with quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp and practice squad receiver Kalif Raymond before kickoff. Davis continues to get acclimated to the team and coach Gary Kubiak’s playbook and, for now, is listed as the No. 3 quarterback behind Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch.
Injury scares. Receiver Jordan Norwood left the game at the end of the first quarter and was evaluated for a concussion. He returned in the second quarter after being cleared. Linebacker Brandon Marshall also was evaluated for a concussion, but he was cleared and returned to the game.
New deal. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders on Wednesday agreed to a three-year, $33 million contract extension that runs through 2019. Thursday morning, before the Broncos’ opener in Denver, Sanders made it official, signing his new contract at the team’s Dove Valley headquarters with his son, Princeton, at his side and his Super Bowl ring on his left hand.
Bonus for Okung. Broncos offensive tackle Russell Okung earned a $2 million roster bonus for playing Thursday. Per the stipulations of his contract, Okung had to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster and play at least one game to collect the bonus.
Footnote: Demaryius Thomas (offense), DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller (defense) and Kayvon Webster (special teams) were selected as the Broncos’ game-day captains. Earlier in the week, Thomas, Ware and Webster were selected as the team’s 2016 captains.