ENGLEWOOD — Sean Payton has the respect of Matt LaFleur.

The Broncos (11-2) coach and Packers (9-3-1) coach will square off on Sunday at Empower Field in what’s being hyped as a potential Super Bowl preview. On Thursday, LaFleur answered questions from Green Bay media and spoke highly of Payton when asked about their professional relationship.

“He’s a guy that I totally respect,” LaFleur told reporters. “I’ve gotten to know him the longer I’ve been in the game. He’s done a hell of a job. Just look at his track record. Obviously, winning a Super Bowl in New Orleans, but I think it even goes before that. He’s one of the best offensive minds in the game of football and has been for a really long time.”

Payton was brief in describing his connection with LaFleur.

“I would say we’re at the Combine, league meetings (and) that kind of thing,” Payton said on Wednesday. “I think (it’s) good.”

Don’t let his quick answer fool you. Payton kept things tight from the podium ahead of a critical Week 15 matchup. But his personality came through during previous interactions with LaFleur.

“(Payton) is a hell of a storyteller, too. He is entertaining to be around,” LaFleur told reporters. “I got a chance to talk to him a little bit last year when we went out and practiced vs. them and spent some time with him (at) the owners’ meetings and whatnot.”

Lewis waived

The Broncos on Thursday waived tight end Marcedes Lewis, but he is a candidate to be re-signed to the practice squad.

Lewis, 41, would be eligible to return to the squad if he clears waivers at 2 p.m. Friday.

Lewis was signed to the Broncos’ practice squad in late October and used his three allowed elevations by playing against Houston, Las Vegas and Kansas City.

With tight end Nate Adkins still out with a knee injury, Lewis was signed last Saturday to the 53-man roster and played at Las Vegas on Sunday in his fourth game this season. But Adkins has returned to practice after missing five games and is expected to play Sunday against Green Bay.

Adkins would be Denver’s third tight end against the Packers after Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.

Injury report

The Broncos injury report remained stable between Wednesday and Thursday.

Wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring) did not participate in consecutive practices. Left guard Ben Powers (biceps) and Adkins (ankle) were limited both days. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones (ankle) is on track to return after fully participating in back-to-back practices.

Briefly

OLB Nik Bonitto has 4.5 sacks over his last four games. Bonitto said: “I still feel like there’s another level I can go to with being consistent every down and being a guy that can disrupt every play.” … WR Kyrese Rowan re-signed to the practice squad just eight days after being waived by the team. Rowan told The Denver Gazette: “You truly don’t know who’s going to call you or who’s going to go down or who they’re going to need. So, I just got to stay ready.” … Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gushed about Packers QB Jordan Love. Joseph said: “Every game they’ve played this year, he is right on. He is taking care of the ball and he has great skill.” … The NFL required teams in contention for a home playoff game to notify season ticket holders Thursday about potential tickets. The Broncos reported that 80% of their season ticket members chose to automatically opt-in for the playoffs. A limited number of postseason tickets must be made available to the general public.

Broncos beat writer Chris Tomasson contributed to this report.