ENGLEWOOD – A week after scoring his first touchdown with the Broncos and calling it “awesome,” Josh Reynolds will be watching Sunday from the sideline.

The wide receiver underwent minor finger surgery this week and was ruled out Friday for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field at Mile High. It is not considered a long-term injury, but the Broncos must make up for his absence for at least one game.

“He’ll be back soon,’’ said Denver wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, likely to replace Reynolds as a starter. “We just got to handle business when he’s gone and I think we’ll do that.’’

In last Sunday’s 34-18 win over Las Vegas, Reynolds caught just one pass for nine yards, but it was his first touchdown in his first season with Denver. The eight-year veteran has 12 receptions this season for 183 yards. Humphrey has spoken to Reynolds and said his spirits are generally “up.”

Reynolds was one of three Broncos offensive starters ruled out for Sunday. They also will be without right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), who will be replaced by Matt Peart, and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle), who will be replaced by Alex Forsyth. Like Reynolds, the two linemen were hurt against the Raiders.

Palczewski said he suffered a high right ankle sprain on what was a “tough day for injuries.” He said he has “no clue” whether he will be placed Saturday on injured reserve.

Wattenberg looks to be the most likely of the three injured players to be shelved. And running back Audric Estime would be a strong candidate to take his spot on the active roster.

Estime, who has missed the past four games with an ankle injury, and cornerback Damarri Mathis, who has sat out all five games with an ankle injury, are both on injured reserve but were designated for return Wednesday. Both were full participants all week in practice and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

With Reynolds out, rookie receiver Devaughn Vele is expected to be active against the Chargers after being inactive the past four games. Vele suffered a broken rib in the Sept. 8 opener at Seattle and the first two games he was inactive were definitely related to the injury. Vele said Friday he is fully healthy and hopeful of returning to play.

“It’s going to be cool if I’m out there and they trust me with reps and opportunities, and I’m going to make sure to make the most of it,’’ Vele said.

In replacing Reynolds, Vele said the Broncos “have depth and the guys to do it.” Other receivers in line to be active are starter Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and rookie Troy Franklin.

The Chargers listed as out running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. (shoulder) and Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) and as questionable outside linebacker Joey Bosa (hip), tackle Rashawn Slater (pectoral), defensive backs Deane Leonard (hamstring) and Kristian Fulton (knee) and linebacker Nick Niemann (hamstring).

Franklin-Myers fined by NFL

Following a fourth-quarter penalty against the Raiders for unsportsmanlike conduct, Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers said he was fined by the NFL “14 thousand.” A standard such NFL fine is $14,069.

“That one hurt,’’ he said. “It’s a tough one.”

Franklin-Myers was flagged after poking Raiders guard Dylan Parham in the area of the eye. He said Parham had done the same to thing to him before he retaliated.

“I got poked in my eye, in my visor,’’ he said. “If two fines are handed out, that makes sense. I don’t think this makes sense.”

Franklin-Myers said he will appeal the fine, which he called the first of his seven-year NFL career for an on-the-field act. He said he once was fined $6,000 for a uniform violation related to his socks but he appealed and got the full amount back.

McLaughlin in end zone

At 5-foot-7, 187 pounds, Jaleel McLaughlin is Denver’s smallest running back. But he has fought his way into the end zone this season on a 1-yard run and on a 4-yard reception.

“He has good contact balance for his size,’’ said Broncos coach Sean Payton. “Some running backs are just harder to lay your pads on than others. … He gets tackled, but he might just get quartered. So I think he has good vision, he’s got very good feet and I would say there’s some strength in how he runs.”

For the season, McLaughlin has 33 carries for 108 yards and 10 catches for 11 yards.

Briefly

Payton said Denver didn’t consider a waiver claim on receiver A.T. Perry when he was let go Oct. 4 by New Orleans but immediately wanted “to recruit him to the practice squad,” and he signed Wednesday. Payton said Broncos executive Cody Rager, who was with the Saints last season, liked Perry, who averaged 20.5 yards on 12 rookie catches. Payton said the 6-5, 205-pound Perry is “long with good” hands and the Broncos “want to develop” him. … Payton said the game against the Raiders was the first time teams tried “dirty balls” to Mims on kickoffs, comparing it to baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro once throwing knuckleballs. … Payton stressed to the team this week the need to have a strong running attack, limit turnovers and play sound defense against the Chargers.