ENGLEWOOD - After practice Thursday, Broncos tight end Adam Trautman gulped down a bottle of Gatorlyte Rapid Rehydration.
"More sodium,'' he said of the benefits.
With the Broncos leaving on Friday for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, they are paying plenty of attention to hydration. With the game starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, Sunday's high is projected to be 90 degrees with around 80% humidity.
The Broncos (0-2) played last year in Week 3 in Florida, and they were walloped 70-20 at Miami. But at least that game perhaps helped in preparing for another in similar weather.
"Your gloves are soaked (in sweat),'' Trautman said of last year's game, when the temperature at kickoff was 86 degrees and the humidity 65%. "You lose a bunch more water weight."
Broncos players started working on their hydration Monday.
"You don't want to do it all the night before,'' said tight end Nate Adkins. "You got to do to do it a few days out, when the nutrition and the hydration starts."
Adkins has played plenty of hot and humid games, having grown up in Knoxville, Tenn., and having played at East Tennessee State and South Carolina. Then again, that doesn't mean he likes it.
"I never liked the weather there, but it is what it is,'' he said. "You just go out there and play."
The Broncos have played five games in their history in Florida in September and are 1-4. They are 0-3 at Miami and 0-1 at Tampa Bay but did win 23-13 at Jacksonville in September 2021. The temperature at kickoff was a modest 80 degrees but there was 87% humidity.
"We have to be plenty hydrated and be on top of that,'' Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Sunday's game. "We feel like we have a good plan."
Broncos special teams are bright spot during 0-2 start to season
Strnad's homecoming
Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad grew up in the Tampa Bay area as a huge Buccaneers fan, and Sunday will mark the first time he has played at Raymond James Stadium.
"I'm excited,'' said Strnad, who graduated from East High School in Tarpon Springs, Fla., before playing in college at Wake Forest in North Carolina. "I've been there a ton as a fan."
When Strnad was 6, he attended the parade after Tampa Bay won Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003. He regularly when growing up went to the Buccaneers' training camp.
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Strnad said "more than 30" family members and friends have gotten tickets to cheer him on Sunday. At least one friend, though, isn't expected to root for Denver.
"One of my buddies is a big Bucs fan,'' Strnad said of Devon Garnett, a former receiver at Stetson. "He throws big tailgates every home game and he'll throw one for my family and friends. He's a diehard Bucs fan, so I doubt he'll be rooting for the Broncos. All my other friends will be rooting for the Broncos, but they might be wearing a Bucs hat and a Broncos jersey."
Franklin-Myers hopes to play
Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis, and a source said he really wants to play Sunday.
Franklin-Myers suffered a mild concussion in last Sunday's 13-6 loss to Pittsburgh and did not practice Wednesday. More will be known about his game status when he is again evaluated Friday.
For a second straight day, outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and safety JL Skinner (ankle) did not practice. But safety Brandon Jones (foot) returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out Wednesday.
Five Denver players were full participants Thursday after being limited Wednesday. They were Trautman (shoulder), defensive end Zach Allen (shoulder), tight end Greg Dulcich (knee, ankle), and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (Achilles) and Devaughn Vele (ribs).
The Buccaneers listed six players as not practicing Thursday, including All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot) and Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea (knee).
Farmer fired up
Outside linebacker Andrew Farmer was fired up when the Broncos offered to sign him early this week to the practice squad.
Farmer played in eight games last season with the Los Angeles Chargers after being undrafted out of Division II Lane College in Tennessee. He started this season on their practice squad before being released Sept. 2. He worked out with the Broncos on Sept. 6 and also worked out with New England and Las Vegas before signing with Denver's squad on Wednesday.
"It was a little bit of a surprise (being let go by the Chargers) but everything happens for a reason and I'm happy to be here,'' he said. "It's a great opportunity."
Farmer was impressed with how much Denver general manager George Paton knew about him from when he was a candidate for the 2023 draft. As a rookie with the Chargers, Farmer got in for 60 plays from scrimmage and 48 on special teams.
"I made some plays. I got a chance to fill in when Joey Bosa was out,'' said Farmer, referring to the star pass rusher missing the final seven games of 2023 due to a foot injury.
Briefly
Broncos star cornerback Pat Surtain II has five penalties in two games with one declined. "Obviously, you want him to play cleaner all the time, and you're always talking about, 'Hands off. Win with your feet. Win with your eyes. Attack the ball,''' said defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. "That's always being coached and talked about, but you want guys to be close.'' ... Could Denver speedy receivers Troy Franklin Jr. and Marvin Mims Jr. be in line for more playing time after they played just 12 and 9 snaps, respectively, against the Steelers? "That speed is important, and it loosens up the defense so having them on the field is important,'' said offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi. ... According to Pro Football Focus, Allen is tied for fourth in the NFL with 13 pressures. "Somebody told me that,'' he said. "I just got to keep working."