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According to Denver Broncos Head Coach Vance Joseph, center Matt Paradis and veteran running back, Jamaal Charles will make their preseason debut for them next week against the Green Bay Packers.
Matt Paradis, Jamaal Charles won't play vs. SF, will play preseason game 3 vs. Green Bay. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 15, 2017
Joseph stated that both are “definitely out” for Saturday night’s game.
“[C] Matt Paradis won’t play this week; he will play against Green Bay. [RB] Jamaal Charles won’t play this week; he will play against Green Bay. Those two definitely are out.”
As we know, Charles is returning from a knee injury that has limited the veteran back to just 8 games and 83 rushing attempts the past two seasons. The fact he really hasn’t taken part in team drills, many padded practices, or even live contact yet has been concerning from some, but Joseph stated that this has been the plan all along for Charles.
“That’s been the plan for the entire time, to kind of get Jamaal as strong as he can be before we put him on the field. He is ready to go, it’s me holding Jamaal back but he wants to go. He wanted to go last week but the plan was Green Bay so we’re going to stick with that plan. He will practice this week though in San Fran. He’s traveling, he will practice, but he won’t play Saturday.”
He will practice this week which is a big step forward for Charles and his practice reps will figure to continue to rise as we near the third preseason game against the Packers.
As for Paradis, it is much less dramatic for the Broncos starting center. He is coming off surgery to his hips and has also been eased along slowly this offseason. Second-year player Connor McGovern has done a great job in his place but Paradis’s time to return to the roster is nearing.
He is coming off a year where he proved to be one of the better centers in the league. However, he is coming back from a major surgery and is playing in a different blocking scheme, so it will be interesting to see how well he does this season. Hopefully, for the Broncos, Paradis returns to his dominant self and helps turn the Broncos offensive line woes around this season.