When Broncos inside linebacker Todd Davis went down with a calf injury on the first day of training camp, it presented an opportunity for other linebackers on the roster to step up and impress the coaching staff.

One of the players that will get more reps while Davis recovers is Alexander Johnson, who is entering his second season in the NFL. Johnson was accused of rape in 2014 and went undrafted in 2015. He was acquitted on rape charges last July and Denver signed him to a one-year deal.

Johnson (6-2, 255 pounds) dressed for just one game last season and spent part of the year on the Broncos’ practice squad. Denver re-signed him in January and he now has a chance to win the team’s primary backup job.

“He’s got good size,” coach Vic Fangio said of Johnson after practice on July 19. “He’s a thumper in there. He’s strong. He’s just got to improve his overall understanding and execution.

“He’s a guy that, you guys know the story, missed a lot of football in his career and he’s got a lot of catching up to do, not just in our system but learning how to play in the NFL and overcoming all the lack of action that he missed throughout his career.”

Davis and Josey Jewell will be the two starting inside linebackers when Davis returns. Johnson has been getting some reps with Jewell in the meantime.

“[He’s] definitely improved [from last year],” Jewell said on July 19. “I think he got quite a bit smarter throughout the process here. I think we all did from the first year to the second year and really just getting back into the game.

“He was out of it for a while, so kudos to him for being able to pick it up pretty quick here and being able to get out there and do his job.”

If he impresses this summer, Johnson could make the 53-man roster as a special teams contributor and backup inside linebacker.

Johnson will get his first game action of 2019 when the Broncos face the Falcons in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1.