ENGLEWOOD – Quarterback Ben DiNucci plans to return to the Broncos next season.

DiNucci, who is on the practice squad, told The Denver Gazette on Thursday he plans to sign a futures deal with Denver after the season concludes Sunday at Las Vegas.

“Monday morning, I’ll come back and sign a futures contract for next year, so I’m excited about that,’’ DiNucci said after a practice at the Centura Health Training Center.

The Broncos have been eliminated from the playoffs and such teams can begin Monday signing players off their practice squad to futures deals.

It is possible the Broncos could sign DiNucci to the 53-man roster by Saturday, which would make signing a futures deal Monday unncessary. DiNucci said he hasn’t heard of that being a possibility and head coach Sean Payton has said that former starter Russell Wilson will be the backup to Jarrett Stidham against the Raiders.

Regardless, DiNucci plans to remain with the Broncos moving forward with the obvious hope of making the 53-man roster next season.

“Any time you can have consistency as a quarterback, I think it is good,’’ DiNucci said. “Having a second year with Sean and (quarterbacks coach) Davis (Webb) and (offensive coordinator) Joe (Lombardi) will be helpful for me.’’

DiNucci in September turned down a chance to join the 53-man roster of the New Orleans Saints to remain on Denver’s practice squad due to it not appearing to be a long-term situation. The Broncos then promised to elevate him for the maximum of three games this season, which they have done although he was not active for any games.

DiNucci was with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020-21, which included getting into three games with one start in 2020. He was with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons before signing with the Broncos last May.

DiNucci said it’s been beneficial working with Payton and wants to continue to do so.

“Sean is very hands on with the quarterbacks unlike everything I’ve been around before (for a head coach),’’ DiNucci said. “Before every rep, there’s something being said, whether it’s, ‘I think this or keep this in your back pocket.’ Obviously, he’s been doing it for a while and his track record speaks for itself.”

Also Thursday, practice-squad players Reese Taylor, a cornerback, and Johnny Lumpkin, a tight end, said they are hopeful next week to sign futures deals with the Broncos.

McGlinchey honored

Broncos tackle Mike McGlinchey was named winner of the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award winner, as voted upon by members of the Pro Football Writers of America Denver Chapter.

The award, named after the late Broncos cornerback, goes annually to a player who exemplifies honesty and cooperation while working with the media. McGlinchey, in his first Denver season, said he appreciated the honor “very much.”

“It’s part of our job, and it’s part of your job to make sure that the stories are covered,’’ McGlinchey said of dealing with the media. “It’s a hard job that you have to do. Obviously, you’re dealing with temperamental athletes like myself all the time and temperamental coaches and things of that nature. We all understand everybody’s got a job to do.”

It is uncertain if McGlinchey will play against the Raiders after being lost for the game in the first quarter of last Sunday’s 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers with a rib injury. He did not practice Wednesday and Thursday.

“It would be huge,’’ McGlinchey said of hopefully playing Sunday. “I’m going to do my best to get there out there. (The ribs) hurt pretty good and unfortunately with the ribs, you can’t really avoid them, so I’m going to do my best.”

If McGlinchey can’t play, he likely would be replaced at right tackle by Cam Fleming.

Sutton, Browning making strides

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton and outside linebacker Baron Browning are continuing to make strides after both suffered concussions Dec. 24 against New England and sat out against the Chargers.

Both were limited in practice Thursday for the second straight day but this time neither was wearing a blue no-contact jersey. The hope is both can be cleared from the concussion protocol to play against the Raiders.

In addition to McGlinchey, also sitting out practice Thursday were tight end Chris Manhertz (illness), defensive lineman Mike Purcell (rest), punter Riley Dixon (personal) and long snapper Mitchell Fraboni (personal). Also listed as limited were rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (hamstring) and linebacker Josey Jewell (back). There is optimism about Mims, who was named Wednesday the AFC starter at kick returner for the Pro Bowl Games, playing Sunday.

Skinner vows to be ready

The Broncos on Thursday put on injured reserve safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, who suffered a torn left ACL against the Chargers. With Turner-Yell out, that puts rookie rookie safety JL Skinner, who has played in just one game, in line to be active Sunday as the third safety behind starters Justin Simmons and P.J. Locke.

“I just got to step up and fill the role,’’ Skinner said. “I feel really bad with what happened to (Turner-Yell). He’s a great player. I just got to step up and fill his shoes.”

Skinner, a sixth-round pick, doesn’t deny he sometimes has been “down” about a lack of playing time. But he said Simmons and others have talked to him about it being a “numbers game” and he has been trying to learn as much as possible from veteran players.

“I’m just grateful to have this opportunity and have this year to just grow,’’ Skinner said. “I’m not the same person as I was before, so I’m grateful for it for sure.”