Ben Jones returned to camp on Thursday after dealing with a stomach virus just one day earlier. Despite being sick, Jones completed practice on Wednesday but had to leave during the stretching period to get IV fluids. Head coach Gary Kubiak praised the second-year offensive lineman's dedication despite illness and heat but it was all in a day's work for Jones.
"You are out here trying to earn a spot and all the guys know that no matter what, on game day, I am going to be out here ready to play for them," Jones said.
Jones was drafted as a center but worked his way into a starting role at right guard in 2012. In training camp, he has also added left guard to his skillset. For Jones, the effort to move from right guard to left was just a matter of changing technique and something he was used to doing.
"I'm a swing guy for a while so I have known left, center and right guard so it's just my time to step up for what (G) Wade (Smith) was doing."
With Wade Smith recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, both Jones and sixth-round pick David Quessenberry have received more playing time in camp at left guard. According to Kubiak, both have stepped up to perform and the starting situation is a competitive one.
"Actually Quess and Jones are splitting reps,"Kubiak said. "It's a competitive situation with Wade out. We'll see what happens, but Ben's been having a very good camp. Quess has probably come as far as a young offensive linemen as we've had in a while, so it's going to be a competitive situation over the next few weeks."
