Broncos WR Tre’Quan Smith familiar with Sean Payton’s offense

Tre’Quan Smith might be new to the Broncos, but this offense is old hat.

The veteran wide receiver, who signed a practice squad deal with Denver earlier this week, played his first five NFL seasons in New Orleans.

That, of course, meant playing for Sean Payton from 2018-21.

“This is a walk in the park,” he said Wednesday of picking up the offense. “I’ve been in this park many times. I already know what to expect. A lot of the terminology I’m already used to. I’m already used to some of the plays and the numbers.

“There’s still a couple of tweaks I’ve got to learn. Like, today I was asking some of the guys, ‘What does this mean?’ because it was a new term I’d never heard before. But I feel like I’m used to like, 87-90% of this offense. I’m very familiar with it.”

Smith appeared in 51 games coached by Payton over his first four seasons and started 29 times. He caught 17 of his 18 career touchdowns in that span on averages of 28 catches and 372 receiving yards per season.

“Dependable, tough, smart, all of the things we value,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said Thursday. “A guy that blocks really well, dependable as a receiver. A guy that’s played a lot of football and knows the system.”

This year, Smith injured his groin late in the preseason and the Saints put him on injured reserve ahead of their opener. They released him last week, making him free to sign with any team.

“I’ve felt good for a little while,” Smith said. “When I went on IR, I kind of felt good that week of. During my time on IR, I was running routes about every other day. I felt like I was ready then.”

The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder isn’t on the active roster, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him activated to the gameday roster depending on the matchup and on the Broncos’ overall health at receiver.

“I plan to go up and stay up,” Smith said. “I don’t plan on going up and down. Go up and stay up, make my mark, make some plays and win some games with this group of guys. I’m a competitor, so I feel like if I go up and come back down, that’s not the type of guy I am. I know I can be a part of this offense and be impactful in this offense.”

Getting healthy. The Broncos’ trend toward good health continued Thursday when running back Javonte Williams (hip flexor) returned to practice in a limited capacity.

That meant that every player on the 53-man roster — except for Randy Gregory, who technically remained on the roster when Denver practiced — participated in some capacity.

Inside linebacker Josey Jewell (hip/groin) and receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) upgraded to full participation Thursday.

Jewell got hurt against Miami — “just stretched something that shouldn’t have stretched too far,” he said — and didn’t play against Chicago despite feeling better through the week.

He said Thursday, “all good now.”

It’s all good news for Denver on the injury front, though the “limited” list is still a long one: Williams, OLB Frank Clark (hip/groin), C Lloyd Cushenberry (quad), DT Mike Purcell (ribs), S Justin Simmons (hip/groin) and OLB Braron Browning (knee).

Only three players worked on the side field during the open portion of practice Thursday and they’re all currently on injured reserve: Tight end Greg Dulcich (hamstring), nickel K’Waun Williams (ankle) and offensive lineman Alex Palczewski (hand).

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Broncos WR Tre’Quan Smith familiar with Sean Payton’s offense

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