Monday's roundup: Broncos QB Siemian to start against Rams

Englewood, Colo. — Coach Gary Kubiak named Trevor Siemian the starter for the Broncos’ third preseason game over Mark Sanchez and said he will decide next week who will be under center against Carolina for the season opener on Sept. 8.

“It’s down to the nitty gritty here,” Kubiak said. “I don’t have to but I’m going to make a decision next week and we’re going to go to work. I’ve seen a lot of football from them. We’re going to go again this week and we’ll make a decision next week.”

Kubiak said Siemian, Sanchez and rookie Paxton Lynch will play an equal amount Saturday against the Rams.

Siemian and Sanchez ended training camp sharing the No. 1 quarterback spot on the team depth chart but neither has been able to claim the job outright. Both struggled with turnovers in Saturday’s 31-24 loss to San Francisco.

Siemian was 10-of-14 for 75 yards but threw an interception that was picked off by Ed Reid and returned 42 yards for a touchdown.

“I thought Trevor did a good job the other night,” Kubiak said. “Obviously there’s one play he’d like to have back or it would have been as good as it could be. I’m going to give him a chance to do that again.”

Kubiak said Siemian took a shot to his shoulder trying to make a tackle on the play. He said the sore shoulder shouldn’t prevent him from practicing Tuesday or playing Saturday.

Sanchez is the only quarterback on the staff with meaningful regular-season experience but he struggled after relieving Siemian on Saturday night. He led the Broncos to a field goal but was sacked three times and fumbled twice. He was 10-of-17 for 120 yards and was nearly picked off by cornerback Chris Davis.

“I squandered a great opportunity to separate myself and put the team in a bad situation,” Sanchez said after the game. “No excuse for that. Poor, poor quarterbacking play.”

Extra points

Bills tackle Seantrel Henderson has been cleared for practice in taking the next step since having two operations on parts of his intestines to reduce the effects of Crohn’s disease.

... Redskins running back Matt Jones will miss the rest of the preseason because of a left shoulder injury.