Broncos Briefs: Month removed return from injury, cornerback Ronald Darby has knocked off rust

In the opening hours of free agency, the Broncos agreed to terms with Ronald Darby, their top veteran cornerback target, on a three-year, $30 million contract.

Though he has yet to intercept a pass, the Broncos may be getting the kind of play they envisioned from Darby after he missed four games with a hamstring injury. Darby’s play against Philadelphia on Sunday will be particularly important because nickel back Bryce Callahan (knee) is on injured reserve and rookie Pat Surtain II (knee) hasn’t practiced this week.

“(Darby has) played better the last two weeks,” coach Vic Fangio said. “I thought the first week or two after he came back, he was, for lack of a better word, rusty.”

Darby allowed three completions for 62 yards, including a 40-yard play, in his return against Las Vegas in Week 6. But over the past three games, opponents are 8-of-16 passing for 88 yards against Darby in man coverage per The Denver Post’s game charting.

“I want to continue to go out there and play right and moving forward, make more plays on the field to help the defense,” said Darby, who has played 255 of 259 defensive snaps in the last four games.

Darby has 29 tackles and two pass break-ups.

“I think he’s more confident and more comfortable now, both getting back mentally and playing within the defense to where the hamstring (injury) is history to him,” Fangio said.

Darby’s test this week is Eagles rookie receiver DeVonta Smith, who has a team-high 36 catches for 537 yards.

“He’s really smooth and really runs great routes,” Fangio said. “He’s quick, he’s elusive and has good hands.”

Paton’s father passes. Tom Paton, father of Broncos general manager George Paton, passed away earlier this week. In an interview with The Denver Post this summer, John Paton, one of George’s three siblings, said their father was battling dementia.

After a playing career at UCLA (letterman in 1959-61), Tom Paton coached high school football in southern California. He had retired from full-time coaching and was working at a business when George’s team needed a coach.

“I didn’t have a freshman coach at this public school so my dad volunteered,” George said in an interview with The Post this summer. “We never lost a game. We were never behind. He went out like a champ. It was a great year. It was nervous to have him coach me because he’s pretty imposing, but it was unbelievable.”

Risner, Browning sit out. Left guard Dalton Risner had a foot stepped on during Wednesday’s practice and sat out Thursday, but Fangio expects him to play Sunday.

Added to the injury report after not practicing were inside linebacker Baron Browning (back) and guard Austin Schlottmann (COVID-19 protocols).

Missing a second consecutive day of practice were left tackle Garett Bolles (ankle), right tackle Bobby Massie (ankle), cornerback Pat Surtain II (knee) and defensive end Shelby Harris (illness).

Footnotes.  Running back Javonte Williams was named NFL Rookie of the Week, the first Broncos player to win the award since quarterback Drew Lock in Week 14 of 2019. Williams set season highs in carries (17) and rushing yards (111) in the Broncos’ 30-16 win over Dallas. … Practice squad offensive tackle Quinn Bailey could get the game-day call-up to back up left tackle Calvin Anderson and right tackle Cam Fleming. “Quinn is a versatile guy,” Fangio said. “(Offensive line coach) Mike (Munchak) has liked him from the start. He thinks he can develop into a good player.”