Broncos safety P.J. Locke misses practice Thursday with thumb injury

Broncos safety P.J. Locke is dealing with a thumb injury that has put his status for Sunday’s game against Carolina in question.

Locke appeared to drop out of practice Wednesday with the injury. He was doing normal work during the open portion of practice Wednesday but was not seen coming off the field when the Broncos finished their work day. Then Thursday head coach Sean Payton confirmed Locke did not practice because of the injury.

Locke has started each of Denver’s first seven games and played mostly next to Brandon Jones. When Jones was limited during training camp and Week 1 against Seattle, Devon Key was the next man up at safety.

Key also played in spot duty as the Broncos’ dime defensive back early in the season.

“I just feel like I’ve got to take my confidence into every game, no matter the situation,” Key told The Post on Thursday. “If I get zero snaps or every snap on defense, I feel like I can go out there whenever I get the opportunity and be the best that I can be.”

Key has more experience playing next to Locke than Jones given the way training camp went, but said he’s comfortable regardless.

“I feel like throughout the whole DB room we have great communication, whether that’s pre-snap or post-snap, I think we do a great job of talking,” Key said.

Joseph focused on the present. Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is leading one of the NFL’s best units.

Those are the types of coordinators who typically get looked at for head coaching jobs in the offseason.

Joseph, who was the Broncos’ head coach from 2017-18 and has been a coordinator for Arizona (2019-22) and Denver (2023-present), said such a conversation was far from his mind in late October.

“I don’t have a thought about it right now. Thank God this league has seasons,” Joseph said Thursday. “We have an offseason, a draft season, right now it’s play and win season. So for me right now, my entire focus is on this football game and winning games and coaching. That stuff takes care of itself down the road. There’s a season for that stuff. For me, it doesn’t even have a place for me. I’m so busy right now. My mind’s on this team, playing good football, keep improving each week, to get ahead of the adversity before it strikes.

“That’s my focus. Obviously being mentioned is cool, but right now my head’s not there.”

Injury report. In addition to Locke missing practice, right tackles Mike McGlinchey (knee) and Alex Palczewski (ankle) were limited for a second straight day. Cornerback Pat Surtain II (concussion) was a full practice participant for a second straight day and is on track to play against the Panthers. Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach returned to practice after missing Wednesday due to illness.

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