Denver Broncos: How will Trevor Siemian fare in Cincinnati's 'Jungle'?

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The challenge will be a bit different for Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian on Sunday.

For the last two games -- and in his preseason work -- the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback operated under benign conditions. Both of his regular-season games were at home, as were two of his three preseason games, and the road game at Chicago saw a tepid crowd in a stadium that appeared to be one-third empty.

He hasn't operated in a cacophony of noise, at least not since he was at Northwestern.

That will change in Cincinnati's "Jungle." And although he has made significant progress in his ability to make checks and calls at the line of scrimmage and command the Broncos' huddle, those tasks will grow more difficult in the din from the crowd for the Bengals' home opener.

"I think it's up to us to bring his growth along as far as what we do, how much we do and how he is on the road," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said.

Siemian has been given free rein to make pre-snap changes at the line of scrimmage, and Kubiak said he is "very impressed" with Siemian's growth in that area. However, he would like to see the second-year quarterback avoid the shaky choices that have led to three interceptions that marred his play in Weeks 1 and 2.

"He's made some poor decisions, athletic decisions," Kubiak said. "I know that sounds kind of crazy, but it's just learning that, 'Trevor, that guy can make that play. You're not in college anymore. You're not going to throw that ball through that guy.'

"I think some of the speed-of-the-game factors that he's beginning to understand a little bit are going to make him better each week."

One asset in his development has been center Matt Paradis, who played every snap last season and grew exponentially working with Peyton Manning and Brock Osweiler. Although Paradis is in just his second season on a 53-man roster, his intelligence and ability to get a line set before a snap is that of a 10-year veteran, having been refined by his work with Manning last year.

"Matt has it all under control," Kubiak said. "He has the front going on. We're playing against a lot of defensive looks. We're playing against a lot of nickel and dime because of our four-wides and three-wides.

"Matt is able to get all that sorted out. He's becoming a really good player for a young player."

Added Siemian: "He's super intelligent. He's running the show up there for us and he's an athletic guy, he's strong, he can reach and he does a lot of things really well."

On the road against the Bengals' stout defensive line, Siemian will need all the help he can get from Paradis, the rest of the Broncos' line and their receiving targets if they are to stay unbeaten.

them all."

--Outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware is expected back at Broncos headquarters Thursday, two days after having plates inserted in the right forearm that he fractured in the third quarter Sunday when he collided with Von Miller in the backfield.

"They showed me the plates that they put in there and DeMarcus even said that he felt so much better coming out of there," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said. "I would imagine that physically he's able to stay in great shape and do all the things cardio, but just not use his arm. We'll see, but he'll be back in the building tomorrow."

Shane Ray is expected to start in place of Ware, but Shaquil Barrett and Dekoda Watson will also see increased repetitions as the Broncos use a liberal rotation at outside linebacker to capitalize off their depth.

Kubiak said, "We're going to play them all. Dekoda is fixing to play a lot more. He's the one that hasn't been playing. As far as Shaq and Shane, we'll rotate those guys."

Ray is primarily a weak-side outside linebacker -- which is Ware's usual role. Barrett is more of a strong-side outside linebacker, but he replaced Ware in the starting lineup last year. They're interchangeable and sometimes will be used together while giving Miller -- the usual strong-side outside linebacker -- a breather.

"I think the biggest thing is that Shane and Shaq's reps are going to pick up," Kubiak said.