ENGLEWOOD — The anticipation has been ramped up again on when Dre Greenlaw might finally play.

The Broncos linebacker returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis after missing the first six games due to a quad injury. It is uncertain if he will play Sunday against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High, but at least he got fine reviews from his teammates after the workout at Broncos Park.

“He looked good out there,’’ said cornerback Pat Surtain II. “It seems like he’s very sharp on everything, on the game plan. So I’m very excited for him.”

Outside linebaker Nik Bonitto said, “Dre is foaming at the mouth” to return to game action.

Greenlaw, who was on injured reserve the past four games, was designated for return from injured reserve on the first day he was eligible. That means the Broncos have 21 days to either activate him or leave him shelved for the rest of the season.

Broncos coach Sean Payton didn’t have a lot to say about Greenlaw’s return.

“He practiced (Wednesday),’’ Payton said. “He was good. … He’s been working out. He’s been rehabbing. And (Wednesday) was a good day.”

Greenlaw, who signed a three-year, $31.5 million deal with the Broncos in March after six years with San Francisco, missed all of spring drills with a quad injury suffered while working out. He was then hurt in practice July 31 with what Payton called a different sort of quad injury.

Greenlaw did not play in the preseason. He still has not taken part in a full practice since the regular season began.

Greenlaw, who was not on injured reserve when he sat out the first two games of the season, was a limited participant in practice Sept. 12, but then had a setback and didn’t practice following the week. He was placed Sept. 20 on injured reserve.

Payton said Sept. 21 that the Broncos, by not putting Greenlaw on injured reserve to start the season, had “a goal date” of him returning either in Week 3 at the Los Angeles Chargers or in Week 4 against Cincinnati. But they then decided they didn’t want to take the risk to have him come back “too early and reinjure it,’’ so he was shelved the day before the Chargers game.

With Greenlaw out, Justin Strnad replaced him for the first six games.

“He’s been battling injury since he’s kind of been here,’’ Strnad said. “It’s awesome to see him healthy out there, moving around and enjoying playing ball again. … He’s played a lot of football in this league. So, I always ask him questions and pick his brain.”

If Greenlaw is to play against the Giants, he would need to be activated off injured reserve by Saturday.

“It’s going to be the perfect week for him,’’ said Bonitto, possibly dropping a hint of a return against the Giants. “That’s all I’m going to say on that. They’ve got a guy (in running back Cam Skattebo) that likes to run people over.”

The Broncos are No. 2 in the NFL in both scoring defense and total defense despite not having been at full strength. Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach missed the first five games with a calf injury before returning to practice last week and then playing 25 of a possible 57 snaps in last Sunday’s 13-11 win over the New York Jets in London.

Outside linebacker Jonah Ellis sat out against the Jets, and he missed practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury. It is uncertain whether he will be ready to face the Giants.

The Broncos on Wednesday also listed outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper as limited in the workout due to a quad injury but it is not believed to be serious. Cooper was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday for having two of Denver’s nine sacks against the Jets.

Defensive end Zach Allen said earlier this week it’s “going to be pretty crazy” how good the Broncos defense can be when back at full strength. So stay tuned to see when the waiting on Greenlaw finally might end.