ENGLEWOOD – It was a scary moment when Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant was taken off the field on a cart and then by an ambulance to the hospital in the final minute of a Dec. 21 home game against Jacksonville. But Bryant made a quick recovery and missed just one game. Now, he’s ready to take the field for his first NFL playoff game when Denver faces Buffalo in the divisional round Saturday at Empower Field at Mile High. “It feels like just another game,’’ Bryant told The Denver Gazette after Thursday’s practice at Broncos Park. “Prepare the same way. Just go out and there and do your job.” The 34-20 loss to the Jaguars didn’t end like just another game for Bryant. With 31 seconds left, he was hit hard on an incomplete pass by Jacksonville cornerback Montaric Brown and went down. Brown was initially called for a penalty, but the flag was picked up when it was said contact was not made to the head or neck area. Bryant was on the field being looked at for several minutes while concerned players from both teams gathered around. After Bryant was taken to the hospital, he was diagnosed with a concussion that he said was from the “whiplash” of his neck snapping back. But he was released later that night. “I’m feeling good,’’ Bryant said in looking back at the injury. “I just put it behind me. It’s football. Stuff happens. People get hurt… They said it was clean. People get hit every play, but it wasn’t anything drastic.” Bryant, a native of Jacksonville, said he didn’t believe the injury was serious when he was being carted off the field. “I was pretty good,’’ he said. “They were just following precautions just because of the injury, but overall, I knew I was in good care. … I wasn’t really tripping on that. I was just ready to go home after losing to the hometown team. I had a lot of family out there, so I was just ready to go home and just spend a little bit of time (with them). I know they were a little nervous (after he was hurt).” Bryant said his mother, Louanne Harris-Bryant, also went to the hospital after the game before being released later that night. Bryant said “she was a little dehydrated but overall she was good.” Bryant missed Denver’s 20-13 win at Kansas City on Dec. 25. He returned for the regular-season finale and caught four passes for 31 yards in a 19-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Jan. 4. That gave him 31 receptions for 378 yards on the season. Now, he’s been getting advice from veterans as he prepares for his playoff debut. “(Wide receiver) Courtland (Sutton) tells me to like protect my energy,’’ Bryant said. “It’s going to be a lot of voices going around and stuff, and then we’ll be good at the end of the day.” Greenlaw, Franklin-Myers ready to go Linebacker Dre Greenlaw and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers were pronounced on Thursday as ready to go for Saturday’s game. Greenlaw missed the last two regular-season games with a hamstring injury and Franklin-Myers sat out the finale with a hip injury, but neither was given an injury designation after practicing all week. Broncos coach Sean Payton had previously said both would play against the Bills. “I feel good,’’ Franklin-Myers said. “Whenever it’s time, I’m always going to be ready.” Due to being the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Broncos got a first-round playoff bye, and no players on their 53-man roster have an injury designation for Saturday. They did announce that linebacker Drew Sanders and tight end Lucas Krull, who have been designated for return from injured reserve, won’t be activated for the game by Friday’s deadline. The Bills listed as out safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring) and cornerback Maxwell Hairston (ankle) and as questionable safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral), wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow), linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), running back Ty Johnson (ankle) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (bicep). Payton downplays revenge factor Payton downplayed that the Broncos are looking for revenge after losing 31-7 at Buffalo in a wild-card playoff game last season. “I really haven’t brought up last year’s playoff game,’’ Payton said. “Let’s say we were playing a team that had beaten us this year, that might be a little, but it’s a different team than last year.” Payton said the Broncos did look at the film of the game and “certainly it’s in the cut-ups.” Denver players mostly have downplayed last year’s loss, although outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper said it is “still sitting with me.” Franklin-Myers didn’t deny that revenge might be on the minds of some. “(It’s) a chance for a little redemption for at team that beat us and a chance to get to the AFC Championship (Game),’’ he said Payton reflects back Payton was in a reflective mood when he spoke to the media for the final time before Saturday’s game. Payton, 62 and in 18th season as a head coach, discussed some moments coaching the New Orleans Saints from 2006-21. He spoke of what it was like when he took a year off from the NFL to work for Fox Sports before returning to coaching with Denver in 2023. “I said this to the players, ‘There’s going to be a time where all of us have to get off, but you know what? Not today. Not today,’’’ Payton said. “There’s nothing like (being in the NFL).” Payton also talked about his maturation as a play caller. “The thing that I have to continue that changes as you get older is you still have to be quick,’’ he said. “Play just ran, next play. … When I was younger, we’d run a reverse on the 8-yard line, and I think nothing of it. As you get older, you think about all the ramifications. … I have to mentally make sure (calling plays is) quick and decisive, and it’s daring at the right time.’Briefly The Broncos will look to establish the run against the Bills, who ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing defense while giving up 5.1 yards per carry. “I’ll make a note on the sheet, ‘Run it.’’’ Payton said when asked about sticking with the run early in games. “It’s important.” … It was windy at Denver’s practice Thursday but Payton said the Broncos “threw (the ball) pretty well.’’ Winds are forecast to be 9 mph on Saturday with a high temperature of 41 degrees. … After initially being a 1.5-point underdog, the Broncos were listed Thursday as a 1.5-point favorite. ...read more read less