Denver Kirkland was undrafted and on the practice squad the first three weeks of the season. So when the 6-foot-4, 340-pound guard pancaked Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller in the Raiders’ 30-20 win Sunday night, you would think he might crack a smile afterward when talking about it.

Nope.

“I looked forward to doing that,” Kirkland said matter-of-factly. “I know Von Miller is a great player and I respect him. But I knew that was going to be a big game for me and I stepped up to the plate.”

The rookie is being used as part of the team’s jumbo package, as an extra tackle when the Raiders use six offensive linemen. Against the Broncos, Kirkland played a season-high 42 of the 88 offensive snaps as the Raiders ran the ball at will, gaining 218 yards on 43 carries.

“It was a lot of fun,” Kirkland said.

The Raiders (7-2) turned to the jumbo package when starting tight end/honorary offensive lineman Lee Smith broke his leg in Week 4.

“We’re trying to fill in for Lee,” said head coach Jack Del Rio, adding that the position gives “us the ability to run the ball, can pass block and can occasionally sneak out and be a part of a route. (They’re) not going to be a big part of the route tree, but we do have plays designed, those guys get out and catch the ball and run over a little guy. So, they love that part.

“I think it just makes us physical.”

Rookie Vadal Alexander (6-5, 326) also has lined up as an extra tackle, and Menelik Watson (6-5, 315), returning from a calf injury, was supposed to do some Sunday, but Del Rio said Kirkland was playing too well to come out.

On Oct. 30 against Tampa Bay, left tackle Donald Penn (6-4, 340) moved over so that he could be eligible and catch a touchdown pass. Kirkland smiled when that possibility was mentioned.

“Hey man, if it comes to me, it comes to me,” Kirkland said. “I’m ready.”

Kirkland was ready for some good news after leaving Arkansas early and declaring for the draft. He did not fare well at the NFL combine, and was one of the 30 (of 107) college juniors to declare who went undrafted.

“I was mad, but I swallowed that pill quick,” he said. “I put my head down and kept grinding to get to this point where I am at now.”

The offensive line is the deepest position on the Raiders, but Kirkland flashed enough at training camp to make the 10-man practice squad. His ascension is what Del Rio looks for from players who get to wear the team colors — sweatpants, if not jerseys — on the sideline.

“Yeah, we talk about it,” Del Rio said. “We travel them every week and part of that is they understand that they are just a snap away from being called up and being counted on.

“Denver’s been a big, physical guy, tough guy. We thought there were some things that were worth developing and that development, obviously, has been accelerated a little bit with him being on the field as much as he is now.”

The guard has had to work on his footwork now that he is lining up on the outside against speedy pass rushers.

“What I have to focus on the most is dancing with the little guys,” Kirkland said. “A guy like Von Miller likes to avoid contact. And then I get to impose my will against the big guys who like contact.”

The aggressive, nasty streak fits in well with the rest of the offensive line, and Kirkland follows the lead of players like Rodney Hudson, Penn and Kelechi Osemele in everything. Especially in terms of eating better and taking care of his body.

“I had never ordered a massage in my life, and I just started doing it,” he said. “It’s great.”

Time off: On Thursday, the Raiders had their last practice before five days off for the bye week. Defensive tackle Stacy McGee returned to practice, in limited fashion, after missing the last two games with an ankle injury. Del Rio told players to “be smart with the choices you make” over the weekend.

Vic Tafur is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: vtafur@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @VicTafur