Player Attendance
Did not practice: Physically unable to perform list — OLB Randy Gregory (shoulder), RT Billy Turner (knee) and WR KJ Hamler (knee). Did not practice — OL Tom Compton (back) and TE Greg Dulcich (hamstring).
Asked if Dulcich is a possibility to practice during the second week of camp, coach Nathaniel Hackett said: “We’re looking to get him in there as soon as we can, but those (hamstrings) are finicky.”
Rookie OLB Christopher Allen (foot), activated from the non-football injury list on Friday, is being gradually worked into practice.
“You want to have an acclimation period for him,” Hackett said. “We wanted to give him a little more time — a few (snaps), some individual time — and see how he’s going to be (on Monday).”
New injury
Late in practice, CB K’Wuan Williams pulled up as WR Montrell Washington caught a long touchdown pass.
Top play
Rookie WR Kaden Davis made a terrific sliding catch on a downfield pass by QB Brett Rypien.
Thumbs up
CB Pat Surtain II. Surtain is the Broncos’ best player. Period.
K Brandon McManus. He made seven of eight field goals.
CB Ronald Darby. He intercepted QB Russell Wilson on a pass intended for WR Courtland Sutton.
Thumbs down
QB Russell Wilson’s throwing hand. Early in 11-on-11 work, OLB Bradley Chubb and LT Garett Bolles got tangled up and Wilson’s hand appeared to hit Chubb’s helmet. “That’s the hard part as a coach because you want the guys to go as hard as they can,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “(But) you’re always kind of breathing hard when you see something like that happen. We just have to make sure you’re protecting the team at all times.”
S J.R. Reed. Playing deep middle, Reed dropped a sure interception off a deflected pass.
Odds and ends
*The announced attendance for the first weekend practice of camp was 7,121, which the team said is a record for a non-stadium practice. QB Russell Wilson and S Justin Simmons addressed fans before the workout. After one scramble down the field, Wilson flipped the football to a fan who didn’t have to give it back.
*The Broncos have yet to have a 7-on-7 period during training camp. Why? “There are different philosophies and for me, I just want the guys to play football together — that’s the game and that’s what it’s all about,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said.
*Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero added of playing only 11-on-11: “I feel like 7-on-7 isn’t real football. That’s what I love about what we’re doing (with only 11-on-11 work). To me, that’s real football and we’re working on things we’re actually going to do (in a game).”
*RG Netane Muti received some first-team work in place of Quinn Meinerz, who worked with the second team. The other four spots on the first offensive line group remained unchanged in the first four practices — LT Garett Bolles, LG Dalton Risner, C Lloyd Cushenberry and RT Calvin Anderson. On the second unit, Graham Glasgow played center. On defense, S Caden Sterns served as the dime (sixth defensive back) player, a role he played throughout 2021.
*11 -on-11 highlights: Wilson completed multiple passes into tight windows to WR Jerry Jeudy, including one between LB Josey Jewell and CB K’Wuan Williams. …. ILB Jonas Griffith played in his usual first-team spot and then handled the play-relaying duties on the second team. … S J.R. Reed had a nice pass break-up against QB Brett Rypien. … This was a big middle-of-the-field day for the Broncos — no goal-line or red zone.
*Catching punts were WRs Montrell Washington, Kaden Davis and Trey Quinn and RB Tyreik McAllister. Of Washington, special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes said: “Montrell is a hard worker. He’s humble, but confident. He’s confident in his abilities and so am I. I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
*Hackett on the first four days of camp: “I how we set the standard of what we’re looking for and (the players) executed it. We’re still not in pads, but watching them and how they were able to slow down and get a mental day (Friday) and come back with a heavy day (Saturday), that made me happy.”
*On defense, Evero said: “It’s going well. I’ve been really excited because there is a little bit of anxiety when you come back and you hope there is a lot of retention. I give the guys credit — they were ready to go. Obviously, it hasn’t been perfect, but there’s been a lot of carryover from the spring and I think the guys have a good handle on the system.”
*Evero is waiting to receive his Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl ring; he didn’t attend the team’s ring ceremony earlier this month.
*Former Broncos QB Peyton Manning attended his first practice of camp.
Sunday’s schedule
Off day. The next practice is Monday at 10 a.m. (parking lot opens at 8 a.m. and gates at 9 a.m.).
