The Broncos had a few players in different spots for the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp.

- The biggest change was at linebacker. Elvis Dumervil didn’t take any snaps in team work (he is practicing on an injury waiver because he hasn’t signed his tender) and Robert Ayers was mysteriously on the sideline for almost all of the practice. Jarvis Moss and Kevin Alexander got most of the snaps with the first-team defense.

When asked about Ayers, a 2009 first-round pick who the Broncos are expecting a lot out of this year, McDaniels didn’t offer much of an explanation.

“That was just a coaching decision, just to do that today,” McDaniels said.

- With Russ Hochstein out, Zane Beadles was with the first-team offense at left guard. Beadles was drafted in the second round as a tackle with the ability to move inside, and McDaniels said he hasn’t been established as a guard yet. The team was just getting him some work at guard because he has had more at tackle.

“At some point, we will make a determination at where we think he has to stay, so we can focus on him improving and competing for a position,” McDaniels said.

- Marquez Branson, who can play tight end and fullback, is out with an injury. McDaniels wouldn’t say what his injury is. Receiver Brandon Stokley is also out with an injury.

Linebacker Darrrell Reid (knee surgery) hasn’t practiced all offseason, and might not be ready to start training camp.

“He may be one of the few that goes into training camp and can’t really participate right away,” McDaniels said.

- At cornerback, rookie Perrish Cox – who has looked good in minicamp practices – worked in with the first-team defense when Champ Bailey or Andre Goodman took a few plays off. Nate Jones was the first-team nickel cornerback, however.

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