ENGLEWOOD – The Broncos have a logjam at running back, which is just fine with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

“It’s difficult, but it’s a good problem to have,’’ Lombardi said after a training camp practice Wednesday at Broncos Park.

There is competition to be the starter between veteran J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey, although both should end up getting plenty of work. The real competition is for the one or two roster spots after that, with Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estimè, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson all in the mix.

“We have a bunch of guys that are really good,’’ Lombardi said. “We like every single guy in that room, and we still have some time to figure it out.”

The Broncos will have a joint practice Thursday against Arizona at Broncos Park and a preseason game Saturday night against the Cardinals at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver will close the preseason Aug. 23 at New Orleans, and the initial 53-man roster must be set by Aug. 26.

In last Saturday’s 30-9 win at San Francisco in the preseason opener, Dobbins didn’t get any carries but head coach Sean Payton expects that will change in the second exhibition. Against the 49ers, Badie had five carries for 32 yards, Watson four for 28 yards, Harvey seven for 25 yards, Estimé eight for 21 yards and McLaughlin three for five yards.

In deciding who makes the 53-man roster and who the Broncos want to put on the practice squad, receiving ability will be a factor. So will pass protection.

“It’s important,’’ Lombardi said. “You have to make sure you have at least a couple guys that are good at it, and we think we have more than that.”

Lombardi said it takes some time for younger players to learn pass blocking. Harvey is Denver’s only rookie and he is continuing to work on it. But Harvey’s running has looked good in camp, and Lombardi likes what he has seen from the rookie.

“He’s coming on, doing a really good job, and he’ll just keep getting better,’’ Lombardi said.

Evaluating Nix

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix didn’t have good statistics in the preseason opener, but Lombardi had few issues with his showing.

“I thought it was fine,’’ he said.

Nix completed just 6 of 11 passes for 31 yards for a mediocre passer rating of 60.0. However, Lombardi said several of his passes could have been caught, including a throw to a well-covered Courtland Sutton in the end zone. Still, Lombardi said Sutton catches that “nine times out of 10.”

On Denver’s second series, Nix was called for intentional grounding in the end zone and a safety was assessed. Lombardi said the Broncos didn’t properly pick up pressure from cornerback Chase Lucas.

“I don’t’ really know if (Nix) made any mistakes in that game,’’ Lombardi said.

As for Nix, Lombardi said “sometimes he is is even harder on himself than we are on him.”

Defense bounced back

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t mind seeing what San Francisco reserves on offense did to Denver starters on defense on the game’s first possession.

The 49ers drove 71 yards to take a 7-0 lead on a 5-yard touchdown from by Patrick Taylor. The drive included a 50-yard pass from Mac Jones to Jordan Watkins.

“That’s what training camp is for, to see if we can bounce back from adversity,’’ Joseph said.

The Broncos did just that. Starters were dominant on Denver’s second and final defensive possession before reserves entered the game. And the 49ers got no offensive points after their first drive.

Joseph is looking forward to facing Arizona, the team he served as defensive coordinator from 2019-2022. The Cardinals feature versatile quarterback Kyler Murray.

“It’s going to be a great test for our front and backs covering,’’ Joseph said. “It’s a quarterback who can run, so testing our rush lanes is going to be good against Kyler.”

Few concerns about Crawshaw

Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi expressed few concerns about rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw.

Against the 49ers, Crawshaw punted three times for a gross average of 37.0 yards and a net of 27.7 yards.

“He had a couple of short-field punts and sometimes the numbers can be very deceiving,’’ said Rizzi, also noting the Broncos had coverage issues on one of his punts.

Rizzi said Crawshaw has punted well in practices and it comes down to “just really getting that consistency” and being able to “bring that to the game field.”

No work for Mims

All-Pro returner Marvin Mims Jr. wasn’t inserted for any returns against the 49ers, and Rizzi said that might not change in the next two exhibitions.

“Marvin is a proven returner in this league and there’s really not much more he can do to show what we’re trying to find out,’’ Rizzi said.

Rizzi said the Broncos also want to look at other returners. With touchbacks now coming out to the 35 rather than the 30, he said it will be important who wins the job alongside Mims as Denver’s other kickoff returner.

Briefly

Star outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, who suffered a minor foot injury against the 49ers, did not practice for the second straight day. Also sitting out again were linebacker Drew Sanders (foot), cornerback Reese Taylor (hamstring) and tight end Nate Adkins (undisclosed). Cornerback Damarri Mathis left practice early with an injury. … The Broncos practiced in helmets and shoulder pads. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, working his way back from a quad injury, took part. … With Zach Allen having recently signed a four-year, $102 million extension to become the NFL’s third-highest paid defensive lineman, Joseph was asked if there is any worry about him trying now to do much. “If you are having that (conversation) after you paid him, you paid the wrong guy,” Joseph said of not considering it a concern. … Nuggets players Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson visited practice and talked with several Broncos players, including cornerback Pat Surtain II.