Wilson, Wagner meet as opponents when Broncos visit Rams

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner were drafted 28 picks apart by the Seahawks in 2012.

They spent the ensuing decade becoming friends and two of their generation's best players at their respective positions during Seattle's decade of success.

After 10 seasons of going against each other solely in practice, Wilson and Wagner will face off in competition for the first time this weekend when Wilson's Denver Broncos (4-10) visit the Los Angeles Rams (4-10) for Christmas.

With both of their new teams headed to early offseasons after beginning the season with much loftier ambitions, the circumstances are not exactly what either player expected in their first season after parting in Seattle.

But Wagner is still looking forward to this opportunity to settle a longstanding practice debate between these friends.

“Everything was pretty much live, and the checks and going back and forth, all of that was full speed — but the hitting wasn’t," Wagner said with a grin. "You could never touch him. He said I would never catch him. So we’ll see.”

Wilson is back in action for the Broncos after missing last week's game following a trip through the concussion protocol. He is on pace for his least impressive NFL season during this rocky landing in Denver, with career lows in completion percentage, yards per completion. passer rating and touchdown passes.

Meanwhile, Wagner didn't get a Pro Bowl nod this week despite his outstanding season for the Rams, whose defense has persevered and played well despite support from the worst offense in the NFL by total yards. Wagner has been the standout of the group, leading the Rams with 118 tackles and playing superbly at the heart of the unit.

Wagner doesn't see Wilson's declining numbers as a reason for confidence, knowing Wilson is one of the NFL's most electrifying playmakers when at his best. The Rams linebacker will count on his years of experience with Wilson's overall game to help him.

“When you see somebody for 10 years, you kind of know what they like and what they don’t like,” Wagner said. “But he’s evolved as a player, and especially as he moves there, there’s little things that he does differently. But at the end of the day, once you get going and start hitting and all that other stuff, it slows down, and the concepts that he likes and the things he likes to do will come to the surface, and (I'll) hopefully be able to help take advantage of those things.”

BAKER'S RETURN

Baker Mayfield is slated to make his second home start for the Rams after leading them to a stunning 17-16 victory over the Raiders earlier this month in his Los Angeles debut. Mayfield's numbers with his new team are modest, but his playmaking ability should give the Rams a chance against Denver's solid defense.

Mayfield studied the Broncos' defense just last month before his Carolina Panthers' 23-10 victory over Denver with Sam Darnold behind center.

“You don’t want to just say, ‘I’ve already prepped for them, I know what they’re about,'" Mayfield said. “You still want to go back and run through all the new clips and see the different nuances.”

SCOUTING REPORT

Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and special teams coach Dwayne Stukes were with the Rams when they won the Super Bowl last season. But Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett won’t be asking them for too many insights into the creative ways of Rams coach Sean McVay.

“That’s always very tricky, because the Rams know that we know,” Hackett explained. “It goes back and forth. I think that’s the chess game. In my past, I’ve gone through that and found all the answers out, and then it didn’t help us at all. You want to utilize them, but not over-utilize them.”

Evero was the secondary coach/passing game coordinator for the Rams, while Stukes served as an assistant under special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.

“I do have a lot of love for a lot of people in that building,” Stukes said. “But at the same time, I want to go out there and dominate and I want to win.”

RUN IT BACK

Wilson will attempt to get back into the groove he found in Denver's offense two weeks ago against Kansas City. He passed for 247 yards and rushed for 57 more before being ruled out with a concussion early in the fourth quarter. The Rams' defense has been their strength, ranking fourth in the NFL against the run.

ARCTIC CHILL

The Broncos went inside their fieldhouse for practice Thursday after a blast of cold air sent temperatures plummeting to below zero (with wind chills around minus-30). It’s quite a contrast to what awaits in Los Angeles, where the temperature will be around 80 degrees Sunday.

SLIME TIME

The holiday game is airing on both CBS and on Nickelodeon, which will deliver a kid-tailored broadcast including unusual graphics and plenty of the network’s signature green slime, both virtual and actual.

At 32, Broncos tailback Latavius Murray still running strong

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The game ball presented to Latavius Murray in the locker room after a Broncos win last weekend meant a great deal.

In part, because the veteran running back can’t really recall receiving that sort of recognition. And also in part, because the reward gave him a chance to reflect for a moment.

Three months ago, the 32-year-old Murray was at home thinking his career may be done. He even started coaching at a local high school, an assignment that lasted all of one day before New Orleans brought him in. Denver later signed him off the Saints practice squad and he's turned into the Broncos' leading rusher this season. He's coming off a 130-yard, one-touchdown performance against Arizona that earned him a coveted game ball.

“I’m able to appreciate that game and these accomplishments a little more. Just knowing the journey,” said Murray, who sat out practice Thursday (precautionary) as the Broncos prepare to play at the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day in a matchup of 4-10 teams. “Just grateful for the opportunity.”

Murray thought for sure he would be back with Baltimore — or at least some team, anyway — in time for offseason conditioning last spring. At the latest, he figured, by training camp.

After all, in his final game with the Ravens last January, he rushed for 150 yards and a score against Pittsburgh.

But his phone didn’t ring.

“Just was kind of surprised, shocked,” said Murray, who was a sixth-round pick by the Raiders in 2013 following his career at Central Florida. “There’s a lot of doubt that goes into it where it's like, ‘Man, this is the reality. I’m not on a team. I’m at home. I’m training and staying ready, but I’m not getting an opportunity.’"

Murray said he became a volunteer football coach at a local high school, because “in my mind, I was at least preparing for the worst.”

Then, the Saints called in September. He was back in the league.

Murray was on the practice squad for two games, before getting his shot against Minnesota. He ran for 57 yards and a score, but went back on the Saints' practice squad.

That’s when Denver picked him up. He’s helped settle a turbulent backfield situation since a season-ending knee injury to Javonte Williams, followed later by the release of Melvin Gordon.

Murray has rushed for a team-leading 510 yards since joining the Broncos.

“A true workhorse,” quarterback Russell Wilson said. “He’s been a true leader. He’s been a great guy. I think that his mentality is some of the best I’ve ever been around. I really mean that.

"Every day he comes to work, he’s focused. Every day he comes on the practice field, he’s lasered in. He’s great with the guys. He has a tremendous knack for ball playing.”

Murray fully believed he still had plenty of yards left in him even as he waited at home for a call. Explosiveness, too, such as on his 35-yard gallop against the Cardinals.

“The old man still has some juice in him,” offensive coordinator Justin Outten cracked.

With his big game Sunday, Murray became one of five active NFL running backs who've rushed for at least 6,000 yards and 50 TDs. It’s a list that also includes Ezekiel Elliott, Mark Ingram II, Derrick Henry and Gordon.

“Obviously, very fortunate to still be able to play and be healthy,” Murray said. “From there, when you are healthy, it’s being productive.”

Murray, who turns 33 in January, has a strong desire to keep playing and hopes he’s showing teams he still can.

“I’d love to be back here next year,” Murray said. “You just don’t know. For me, it’s making sure that I’m taking care of my body and being available for any team.”

Asked how long he envisioned playing, Murray cracked: “I’ll take a ring and can call it quits after that.”

NOTES: OLB Randy Gregory (knee), WR Kendall Hinton (hamstring), CB K’Waun Williams (wrist/knee) and OL Dalton Risner (shoulder/back/foot) didn't practice Thursday. ... OL Tom Compton was placed on injured reserve, coach Nathaniel Hackett said. ... Pat Surtain II became the sixth Broncos cornerback to be selected to the Pro Bowl. “I would have canceled the Pro Bowl if he wasn't a starter," said safety Justin Simmons, who was selected as a first alternate. “He deserved it.”

Former Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman dies at 31

DENVER (AP) — Running back Ronnie Hillman, who was part of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, has died, his family said in a statement. He was 31.

Hillman's family posted on his Instagram account Wednesday that he was diagnosed in August with a rare form of kidney cancer called renal medullary carcinoma and was under hospice care. The family wrote hours later that he died surrounded by family and close friends.

The Broncos expressed their condolences on social media Thursday morning.

After a standout career at San Diego State, Hillman was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2012 draft. He ran for 1,976 yards and 12 touchdowns over his 56-game career, which included stints with the Minnesota Vikings and the Chargers while they were in San Diego.

Hillman led the Broncos in rushing with 863 yards during the 2015 regular season. It was a season that culminated with the Broncos beating Cam Newton and Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Hillman had five carries for no yards in the game.

In their statement, the Broncos described Hillman as “soft-spoken with a warm smile and quiet intensity.” They added he “grew into a dynamic player and well-respected teammate.”

Hillman rushed for 3,243 yards and 36 TDs in two seasons at San Diego State.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Ronnie’s family. Although I only got to coach him one season, I’ll remember him as a great teammate and hard worker,” San Diego State coach Brady Hoke said in a statement. "Ronnie always came to practice with a smile on this face and his passion for the game was contagious. He’ll always be an Aztec for life.”

Added athletic director John David Wicker: “Ronnie helped resurrect San Diego State football in his two seasons in 2010 and 2011 and has recently been around the program offering wisdom and insight.”

Hillman's family explained in its initial post that his form of cancer affects “young African Americans with sickle cell trait. Unfortunately treatment has not been successful.”

Hours later, the family posted that he “quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends."