Player Attendance
Did not practice: Physically unable to perform list — OLB Randy Gregory (shoulder), RT Billy Turner (knee) and WR KJ Hamler (knee). Non-football injury list — OLB Christopher Allen (foot). Did not practice — OL Tom Compton (back) and TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring).
Top play
S Justin Simmons showed elite range, leaving his middle-of-the-field spot to break up a pass by QB Russell Wilson intended for WR Jerry Jeudy.
“That was awesome,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “(Simmons’ range) showed up at times during OTAs, but that one right there was pretty dramatic. We were actually trying to pick on somebody else and he came over and helped out. That was an amazing play. Unbelievable.”
Thumbs up
QB Russell Wilson. He completed five consecutive passes at one point of 11-on-11 work, including three attempts to WR Tim Patrick.
CB Ja’Quan McMillian. An undrafted rookie, McMillian had a fine pass break-up on a pass by QB Brett Rypien intended for WR Montrell Washington.
TE Eric Saubert. After catching a pass from Wilson and trotting into the end zone, he dunked the football over the crossbar to the delight of fans.
Thumbs down
WR Montrell Washington. Getting a snap with the first-team offense, he had the wrong snap count in his head and committed a false start penalty.
WR Kendall Hinton. He had to leave his feet to try and catch QB Josh Johnson’s pass, but should have corralled it.
Odds and ends
*11 on 11 highlights: QB Russell Wilson’s first pass was on-target to WR Jerry Jeudy (against CB Pat Surtain II) on a deep “over” route. … During his third segment, QB Josh Johnson completed passes to WRs Kendall Hinton and Tyrie Cleveland. … Surtain made a fine jumping pass break-up while covering WR Courtland Sutton. … At the end of practice, Johnson and QB Brett Rypien led the second- and third-team offense through a set of plays while Wilson worked on an adjacent field. On Johnson’s last two snaps, he scrambled under pressure and slipped while trying to leave the pocket.
*Catching punts were Hinton, Montrell Washington, Tyreik McAllister and Kaden Davis.
*Coach Nathaniel Hackett had high praise for Jeudy’s first two days. “I love the way he’s attacked this training camp up to this point,” Hackett said. “I know it’s early, but he’s been really great, seeing him around working hard and everything. He’s a very focused person and asks great questions, coaches me, calls me out a couple times, which is awesome. He’s definitely capable of doing a lot of different things.”
*The Broncos practiced without pads for the second day as required by the collective bargaining agreement. “Just because we’re not in pads doesn’t mean you can’t be physical with your hands or move your feet or get in front of your guy or work on your craft and technique,” left tackle Garett Bolles said.
*Bolles on OLB Bradley Chubb: “I’m grateful I get to go against a top player like him every single day. His bull rushes are ruthless.”
*As mandated by the NFL, linemen, linebackers and tight ends are wearing protective padding covers on their helmets through the second week of preseason games to help prevent concussions. “It looks kind of weird; it’s different,” tight end Albert Okwuegbunam said. “But at the end of the day, it’s supposed to protect us and be for our safety so I’m not really complaining about it. It’s something to get used to.”
*Another benefit of the extra padding? “I think it (also) gives protection to the quarterback if his hand comes forward (and hits a lineman’s helmet),” Hackett said. “We talk about protecting the team all the time. If that helps anybody, we’re going to do it.”
*Former Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly attended practice and visited with Broncos general manager George Paton. Connelly left for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ front office last month.
Friday’s practice
10 a.m. and open to fans (no pads). Parking lot opens at 8 a.m. and gates at 9 a.m.
