Broncos LT Garett Bolles returns to practice Thursday, says he plans to be “ready to roll” vs. Pittsburgh

Garett Bolles made his 100th start Sunday at Seattle.

He’s hoping to make No. 101 against Pittsburgh this weekend.

That’s complicated by a calf injury — originally reported by the Broncos as an ankle issue — that had him out of Wednesday’s practice and limited Thursday.

The Broncos left tackle, though, thinks he’s tracking in a good direction.

“I feel good,” he said at his locker Thursday after practice. “Today’s Thursday, I’ve got two more days and three more days until the game.

“I’ll be ready to roll.”

Bolles tried to talk his way back into Sunday’s game but to no avail. Matt Peart filled in the final two drives for him and would likely start at left tackle if Bolles can’t play against the Steelers.

“Everyone knows I’m not the type of guy to come out of a game just because of a little ding or nick,” Bolles said. “I’m always the type of guy to pride myself on playing every single snap that I can and be ready for this team as much as I can. It was my 100th career start, so it sort of sucked that it ended the way it did.

“But I’m grateful that it’s nothing too serious and I can just get back and get ready to protect Bo and help this team win.”

Mims preaches patience. Broncos second-year wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. played just 12 snaps Sunday. On Thursday at his locker, the 2023 second-round pick said he’s trying to stay patient while awaiting an uptick in opportunity.

“You just maintain patience and wait for things to open up,” Mims said. “Bo being a rookie quarterback, with the first game plan going out, we didn’t try to do too much, tried to keep it a little basic. As the season goes along, it’ll start to open up a little more and we’ll see what happens.”

Wilson limited. Former Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) was limited for Pittsburgh again Thursday. He told reporters there that he wants to play Sunday if he gets the green light from the team.

“At the end of the day I believe you’ve got to play dinged up sometimes,” Wilson said. “Coach and the trainers also want to just be smart, too, as well. If this was the last game of the season or one of those types of games, we’re definitely going. I want to go, but we also, too, want to be smart.”

From the infirmary. Bolles wasn’t the only one to see an uptick in his participation Thursday. Center Luke Wattenberg and wide receiver Josh Reynolds also upgraded to limited participants and rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss went from limited to full participation.

Rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele, meanwhile, missed a second straight day of practice with an ankle injury.

Broncos want to “See you Sunday.” Ahead of the Broncos’ home opener, the team’s got a week-long “See You Sunday” campaign rolling. It features billboards around the city, a countdown-to-kickoff clock and on Thursday a “Paint the City Orange” campaign at the stadium. Then Friday the team has a caravan heading out around Denver to schools, businesses and landmarks to help ring in the regular season on the Front Range.

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