The door creaked open for little-known rookie Kalif Raymond to find a way onto the Broncos’ 53-man roster. His coach, Gary Kubiak, will give him a chance to bust through.

Raymond, an undrafted, 5-foot-9 receiver from Holy Cross in Massachusetts, will get extensive playing time Thursday, Kubiak said, in the Broncos’ first preseason game, at Chicago. He will get a majority of Denver’s punt-return opportunities.

“You want to see his return mechanics,” Broncos special teams coach Joe DeCamillis said. “If he has good ball security, catches the ball well and makes good decisions, that’s really important.”

Raymond on Monday was listed a distant fourth on the depth chart at slot receiver. He’s unlikely too supplant veteran starter Emmanuel Sanders. But Raymond could find an opening as a returner. Eighth-year receiver Jordan Norwood is listed No. 1 on the depth chart as both a punt and kick returner. But Norwood last season returned just six punts, for an 8.5 yard average, and two kickoffs. Sanders was Denver’s primary punt returner and Omar Bolden handled most of the kickoffs.

“I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I play football in the NFL, but I want to play for the Broncos,” Raymond said. “If I could do anything to make the 53-man roster to play for this team, I am going to take it every time.”

Raymond on Tuesday bounced a punt off his chest out of bounds on his first attempt. He did not miss the second.

“Make sure that he keeps catching every ball because that’s the most important thing for sure,” Kubiak said.

Bibbs busts through. Kapri Bibbs, the former Colorado State standout now in his third year, is again fighting for a roster spot. Tuesday, Bibbs was responsible for the most impressive run in a morning practice. Bibbs ran off right tackle, squeezing through a hole in the line, then cut sharply outside for a breakout scamper.

Bibbs is listed as the No. 4 running back, behind C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Devontae Booker. But Bibbs continues to improve.

“He really is,” Kubiak said. “He’s protecting (the ball). That’s been a big issue with him.”

Latimer waiting. Cody Latimer, a second-round pick in 2014, remains on the bubble among slot recievers, one spot behind Sanders. And while he slow-played through Tuesday’s practice, with limited repetitions, the Broncos will unleash him against the Bears for a thorough look.

“Cody went briefly in practice today,” Kubiak said. “But expectations are for him to play a lot on Thursday.”

QB WATCH

In an ongoing search for their next starting quarterback, the Broncos are looking at every snap and small detail to help separate the options, offensive coordinator Rick Dennison said. How Mark Sanchez, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch fared Tuesday:

Sanchez — The veteran contender worked alone with the first-team offense, settling in with the group he will lead as Thursday’s starter against Chicago.

Siemian — The other starting contender, connected with DeVier Posey on a strong throw 25-yards deep down the middle on a crossing route, his most impressive pass of the day.

Lynch — The rookie first-round pick was intercepted by B.J. Lowery on an ugly, under-thrown fade pass down the right side. But a few minutes later, he rebounded on a deft play-action roll-out pass deep to Durron Neal.