Von Miller is preparing to make his preseason debut this weekend against the Chicago Bears.

Of course Bryan Bulaga Jersey , the star linebacker was all set to play last weekend against Minnesota when he said "the call came from upstairs" that he'd be held out.

Coach Vance Joseph had insisted all week that Miller would play in the preseason opener, explaining, "he's had a great camp and we have no reason not to play Von. Von is in good health and good spirits, so why not?"

Because he could get hurt in a meaningless game and put a damper on their 2018 season, which apparently was the reason general manager John Elway nixed the notion of Miller playing against the Vikings.

So, Miller was helpless to keep Kirk Cousins from driving 75 yards for an opening touchdown in the Vikings' 42-28 win .

After the game, Joseph said, "Obviously, Von is valuable to our football team. He's a guy who we can't lose, so we didn't play him, simple as that."

Because the call was made so late, Miller was already taped up and didn't get a chance to work out with strength coach Loren Landow before the game like other players who weren't going to play.

"I wouldn't say that I was upset. I was just ready to play," Miller said Wednesday after the Bears-Broncos joint practice . "I hadn't played since the Pro Bowl. ... So, I was pretty excited to play. I was ready to go out there with my brothers."

Miller said he was pumping up first-round draft pick Bradley Chubb and other rookies only to learn he would be rooting them on instead of leading the way.

"Me and Chubb, we talked about sacks before the game Walter Payton Jersey ," Miller said. "With the rookies, it's a hard deal to get the rookies right. So, I was getting Chubb right and the other guys right and I'm getting ready to go out there on the field and they said I wasn't going to play."

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods said he expects Miller to play Saturday night, but when asked what he thought, Miller said, "I don't know."

Either way, it won't change his preparation.

"I just approach it the same way every week," Miller said. "I just go into it like I'm going to play."

The Broncos usually throttle back Miller in practice because, in the words of his coach, he can "wreck practice" he's so good.

That's not a concern when he's facing another team like the Bears, though.

"No, I'm definitely trying to wreck it," Miller said with a laugh.

Bears coach Matt Nagy said facing Miller for two days of joint practices 鈥?and maybe again Saturday night 鈥?can only help his young team.

"What a great challenge for our offensive linemen, to be tested by some of the best in the league," Nagy said.

Unlike past years when the Broncos got into scuffles during joint practices Tramon Williams Jersey , things didn't get too chippy with the Bears.

"We just want to come out here and get better," Miller said. "Both organizations, we didn't have the type of season that we (wanted to) last year. So, I think coming out here and fighting each other and making it into a Battle Royale is the last thing on both teams' minds."

CAMP SCARE: The Broncos got a scare when rookie receiver and training camp sensation Courtland Sutton was slow getting up after diving for a pass and then went to the trainer's room. But Joseph said, "He's OK. It was a knee. But he's fine. Yep, good news there."

Also, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (strained oblique) and edge rusher Shaq Barrett (minor hamstring pull) sat out practice in hopes of getting better by game night, Joseph said.

HIDEOUS HAIRCUTS : Miller, who said his job description is sacking quarterbacks and telling jokes, is known as the Broncos' biggest prankster. But he said he had nothing to do with the hideous haircuts the veterans gave the rookies this week.

"I like to mess with the rookies, of course, but haircuts are not my thing," Miller said.

Notes: WR Carlos Henderson, who was placed on the Broncos' reserve/did not report list, has been suspended without pay by the NFL for the season opener over his offseason arrest for marijuana possession in Louisiana.

JACKSONVILLE (0-0) at N.Y. GIANTS (0-0)

Sunday Bob Lilly Jersey , 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE – Jaguars by (3)

RECORD VS. SPREAD – Jacksonville 11-8, Giants 7-9

SERIES RECORD – Tied 3-3

LAST MEETING – Jaguars beat Giants 25-24, Nov. 30, 2014

AP PRO32 RANKING – Jaguars No. 7, Giants No. 20

JAGUARS OFFENSE – OVERALL (6), RUSH (1), PASS (17).

JAGUARS DEFENSE – OVERALL (2), RUSH (21), PASS (1).

GIANTS OFFENSE – OVERALL (21), RUSH (26), PASS (19).

GIANTS DEFENSE – OVERALL (31), RUSH (27), PASS (31).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – … Jags VP Tom Coughlin returns for first game against Giants. He led New York to two Super Bowls titles in 12 years as coach (2004-15). … Pat Shurmur starts coaching era for Giants. … Jaguars coming off first division title since 1999. Expectations high after late loss in AFC title game. … Jacksonville ranked No. 2 in points allowed (16.8) Geronimo Allison Jersey , total defense (286.1 yards) and sacks (55) last season. … QB Blake Bortles threw for 3,687 yards and 21 TDs. … Rookie RB Leonard Fournette led team with 1,040 yards rushing and nine TDs. … WR Keelan Cole ranked No. 2 in NFL with 17.8 yard average, but top Jags WR Marqise Lee is out for season. … All-Pro DE Calais Campbell tied for second in NFL with career-high 14 1/2 sacks. … CB A.J. Bouye tied for third in league with six interceptions. … Giants QB Eli Manning threw for 3,468 yards and 19 TDs in 2017. He has 13 consecutive seasons with 3,000-plus yards, tying brother Peyton for third-longest streak. … RB Saquon Barkley makes debut. No. 2 overall draft pick had 3,843 yards and 43 TDs rushing at Penn State, missed most of preseason with hamstring injury. … Three-time Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. plays for first time since breaking ankle in early October. He signed huge contract just before this season. … Evan Engram led rookie TEs with 64 catches and 722 yards. … New LT Nate Solder, free agent from New England, anchors rebuilt O-line. … New York using new 3-4 defensive scheme. … S Landon Collins led team with 99 tackles. Since 2015, he leads all NFL safeties with 332 tackles. … New LB Alec Ogletree had 63 tackles with Rams in 2017. … LB Olivier Vernon has six-plus sacks in five straight seasons, but battling high ankle injury. … Fantasy Tip: Beckham pointing to game for 11 months. Plans to show why he’s top-paid receiver, even against top-ranked pass defense and All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey.

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