AP

The Broncos currently have co-starters at quarterback. But someone has to take the first snap of Thursday’s preseason opener, and players on the team expect that someone to be Mark Sanchez.

Broncos players told Troy Renck of Denver 7 that they expect Sanchez to start Thursday and play the first quarter. Trevor Siemian would then take the field and lead the second-string offense.

Sanchez was viewed as the favorite to win the competition as soon as he arrived in Denver. Siemian has never thrown a pass in an NFL game, and first-round draft pick Paxton Lynch is viewed as a future starter who won’t be ready to go for Week One.

The question is whether Sanchez can play well enough to keep the job. Coach Gary Kubiak has said the preseason will play an important part in his decision on the regular-season starter, so if Sanchez doesn’t play well on Thursday, it could be the last time he starts for the Broncos.