ENGLEWOOD — Jonathon Cooper enters the final year of his Broncos contract with a simplified approach.

“Obviously, that’s there. You can’t get away from that too much. I try to just focus on how I can help the team and better myself as a football player overall,” Cooper told The Denver Gazette recently at Broncos Park for training camp. “Being that leader to get the guys going and holding our defense to a certain standard of dominance.”

The fourth-year pro started all 17 games last season at outside linebacker. Cooper led the Broncos with 8.5 sacks — his NFL career best — plus 72 combined tackles, two fumble recoveries and one interception.

“I just look at it as a year of growth,” Browning said. “Coming into being a professional, a full-time starter, and the level of excellence that has to come with that. The level of production that also comes with it as well. You can’t just be a guy out there. … Making plays is what we’re all about.”

Cooper earned his leadership role. He will make a base salary of $3.1 million this season before a possible extension.

“We felt like certainly he’s one of our starting edge players that brings a physicality to how he plays,” coach Sean Payton said earlier this week. “I think just the added reps and experience from last year will help him. He’s someone the players look up to.”

Opponent watch

The Colts are expected to play their starters “a series or two” against the Broncos on Sunday in their preseason opener, coach Shane Steichen informed Indianapolis media on Friday.

That includes second-year Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. The No. 4 overall draft pick has not played in a game since October 2023 due to a season-ending shoulder injury.

“I haven’t played a down of football in a while, so it’s a blessing just to have the opportunity to get back on the field,” Richardson told the Colts’ team website. “I’m thankful that coach Shane’s letting me play this game, and I get to go out there and make a few plays.”

Uwazurike update

Defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, cleared Monday for NFL reinstatement from a sports gambling suspension, will not play Sunday against the Colts.

“I think it’s a tic early,” Payton said. “I think our plan is to have him work out and travel. We can do some conditioning prior to the game. Then next week at this time, look again (at) getting a certain amount of plays. For someone who has been out for a year, I would have regretted if we hurried him back, and then he had a pulled muscle or something.”