Broncos rookie receiver Juwann Winfree not only wants to make the 53-man roster, he wants to be active on game day.

That’s why his tackle in punt coverage against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night was so important.

Four receivers are locks to be active — Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton and Tim Patrick. The Broncos need their fifth receiver to be a core special teamer even if he’s not a returner.

Before practice on Monday, Winfree was asked what feels bigger: A catch to convert a third down or a special teams tackle?

“(A tackle) is just as big,” he said. “I want to be that guy, wherever it’s at.”

A sixth-round pick from Colorado, Winfree has four catches for 58 yards and the game-winning touchdown against Atlanta in the preseason.

“I felt I’ve made a good progression throughout camp,” he said. “I’m still not where I need to be, but I feel I’m getting there in each game. I want to continue to thrive and continue to get better.”

Fant, Leary practice. Tight end Noah Fant (foot injury against San Francisco) and right guard Ron Leary (knee soreness, hasn’t played in the preseason) participated in Monday’s non-padded practice.

Leary took limited reps in team work, trading off with Elijah Wilkinson.

Asked if Leary is trending toward being available for Week 1, coach Vic Fangio said: “He’s been improving with some of his time off that he’s been getting. I think he’ll be ready.”

Not practicing were quarterback Drew Lock (right thumb), running back Theo Riddick (shoulder), cornerback Dymonte Thomas (knee), fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral), tight end Jake Butt (knee) and inside linebackers Todd Davis (calf), Joe Jones (triceps) and Joe Dineen (hand).

Butt played 11 snaps against the Rams on Saturday night. Fangio wanted to give Butt a full two days between the game and his next practice.

“He came out good after the game; just a little sore right now,” Fangio said. “He’s had some residual effects, which I think is to be expected to a degree.”

Davis won’t practice Tuesday, either.

“He’s progressing, but not at the rate we had hoped,” Fangio said.

QB2 update. Fangio said the competition at back-up quarterback remains open between Kevin Hogan and Brett Rypien. Both will play Thursday against Arizona.

“I’d like to see some separation from them,” Fangio said. “We’ve got one more game to do that. I’ve seen some good play, I’ve seen some not so good so I don’t know the answer to that just yet.”

Fangio said adding a veteran quarterback is “always an option, but as you see out there, there’s not a lot of them available.”

Respect for Luck. Fangio’s only year as Stanford’s defensive coordinator in 2010 was quarterback Andrew Luck’s second year as the school’s starter. The Cardinal went 12-1 and finished fourth in the country. Related Articles Broncos Briefs: Phillip Lindsay doubtful to play Sunday, but progressing from toe injury

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Luck, 29, announced his retirement on Saturday night.

“I know him well,” Fangio said. “Obviously like everybody else (I was) surprised, but Andrew’s a guy with a lot of conviction. If he doesn’t feel that he can do it the right way and it’s not going the way he wants, he’ll react the way he did and he’ll retire. I can tell you this: He didn’t do in a harsh, quick way. I’m sure he gave it a lot of thought.”

The Broncos play at Indianapolis on Oct. 27.

Logan signs new deal. Denver’s iHeartMedia’s KOA 850 AM and 94.1 FM announced a 10-year agreement with Broncos play-by-play announcer Dave Logan. He will co-host a morning radio show starting Sept. 3 in addition to his Broncos duties. This year is Logan’s 30th in the Broncos’ booth and 23rd as the play-by-play voice.