It seems like Marlon Brown never left. In fact, he never did leave. When the Broncos re-signed the veteran wide receiver Monday, he was reunited with the team that cut him during training camp. But it all followed a plan.

In the four months since the Broncos waived Brown because of a back injury, he remained in Denver for rehab. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said in July that he really liked Brown’s ability, and he told the 25-year-old former Baltimore Raven to get healthy and they would meet again.

“I’m not surprised at all,” Brown said Thursday. “I was here the whole time. He knows me. I got healthy and everything worked itself out.”

Brown joined a crowded receiving corps at Dove Valley on Monday, when the Broncos waived cornerback Taurean Nixon. Then they signed Nixon to their practice squad and cut safety Ryan Murphy.

Brown’s return was more sudden than surprising. Undrafted out of Georgia, he worked out with the Houston Texans in 2013 when Kubiak was coaching there, then played with the Ravens when Kubiak was offensive coordinator in Baltimore. Related Articles September 23, 2020 Broncos Briefs: After fine, Vic Fangio vows to be more aware of wearing mask

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Brown’s connection with Kubiak isn’t a coincidence.

“That’s why I like Kubes so much,” Brown said. “From Day One, even on my first day at Houston, for the little 24 hours I was there, he always kept it 100 with me. He always told me the truth. He never promised me anything. He always told me, do this and this and this, and everything will work itself out.

“I appreciate that. There aren’t a lot of guys in this business who are like that. Or in the world, for that matter.

Latimer update. Brown’s return puts pressure on third-year pro Cody Latimer. A second-round pick in the 2014 draft, Latimer has nearly disappeared this season. His three receptions for 22 yards rank last among Denver wide receivers. He has only 11 catches for 104 yards in his NFL career.

“It’s naturally a competitive environment because of (Brown’s) presence,” Kubiak said. “They’re smart enough to know you can’t suit up everybody.”

Siemian update. As quarterback Trevor Siemian struggled while playing with an injured left (nonthrowing) shoulder — he dislocated it Week 4 at Tampa Bay — it limited him in other areas. Kubiak said Siemian has been reluctant to run much outside the pocket.

“You go back earlier into the season, Trevor made a lot of first downs with his feet,” Kubiak said. “Hopefully with his freshness, you’ll start to see more of that again.”

Snap decision. Two players didn’t practice Thursday because of injuries: center Matt Paradis (hip) and long snapper Casey Kreiter (calf). This led to the revelation that the Broncos have a contingency plan for backup long snappers.

Snapping for punts and field goals is such a specialized position that the drop-off because of an injury can be severe. But Kubiak said, just in case, tight end A.J. Derby and defensive end Billy Winn are his options there in a pinch.

Kreiter and Paradis, though, are likely to play in Sunday night’s home game against Kansas City.

Anderson update. Running back C.J. Anderson is still using crutches after having knee surgery last month. He met with Kubiak this week at Dove Valley and has started rehabbing the knee with team trainer Steve Antonopulos.