Attendance
Did not practice: Physically Unable to Perform List — S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles). Injured reserve — OL Quinn Bailey (ankle/leg), OLB Ronnie Perkins. Out — CB Levi Wallace (hamstring), CB Art Green (concussion).
Broncos wide receiver Devaughn Vele went into the locker room after having his leg stretched out by a trainer and didn’t return to practice. It appeared the trainer also examined an area around Vele’s knee. Head coach Sean Payton didn’t talk to reporters Thursday, so the severity of the apparent injury is unclear, but a source told The Denver Post that Vele should be OK.
QB Race Today
Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi was pleased with rookie Bo Nix’s performance in the preseason win over the Colts last week. Lombardi said he liked how Nix didn’t do anything silly in the pocket and made plays.
“Quarterbacks are ultimately measured by scoring points, and he did that,” Lombardi said of Nix, who led four scoring drives in the 34-30 victory. “It wasn’t perfect. There’s a lot of things he can improve on, which is what you expect.”
Jarrett Stidham had first-team reps on Thursday, setting up Nix to work with the top unit during Friday’s joint practice with the Green Bay Packers. Nix will also start in the preseason matchup against the Packers on Sunday night.
Near the end of practice, the Broncos conducted a two-minute drill, with 1:14 on the clock and the ball starting at the 46-yard line. Stidham threw a deep pass to wide receiver David Sills. And on fourth-and-short at the 6-yard line, Stidham completed a touchdown pass to Sills while getting knocked to the ground by defensive end John Franklin-Myers.
Nix led the offense to the goal line, where he threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Michael Bany on a naked bootleg. Before Nix’s touchdown pass, he completed a short pass to Virgil that resulted in a first down to the 17-yard line.
Meanwhile, Zach Wilson completed a touchdown pass to Troy Franklin during the 7-on-7 period. The rookie created separation from cornerback Tremon Smith before securing the catch.
Top Play
No look Bo: During the first team period, Bo Nix toyed with the defense. While staring down wide receiver Jalen Virgil, he threw a no-look pass to wide receiver Philip Dorsett on a slant route.
Thumbs Up
Denver’s run defense: The Broncos defense did a solid job at filling gaps and slowing down the run game at practice. Linebackers Jonathon Cooper and Alex Singleton came together to make a stop on running back Samaje Perine. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones had a nice stop on Jaleel McLaughlin.
Thumbs Down
Penalties: During the final team period, the Broncos’ defense was caught jumping offside. First, it was defensive end Zach Allen with Stidham at quarterback. Later, rookie outside linebacker Jonah Elliss jumped early.
Odds and Ends
• Joe Lombardi anticipates the Broncos’ run game to be better than last year. Despite rookies Audric Estime and Blake Watson fumbling the ball against Indianapolis, he thought the overall body of work was good.
“I think every running back in that room had multiple runs where they were finishing for extra yards, and I was pleased with that,” Lombardi said. “I was pleased with them knowing what to do and being productive.”
• Broncos special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica was encouraged by how the team handled the new kickoff rules last week. Among the few highlights from special teams against the Colts was a stop by Jonah Elliss on the opening kickoff, and wide receiver Jalen Virgil had a 43-yard return to start the third quarter.
“As far as our scheme, we are learning,” Kotwica said. “There were some things that we really liked and some things that we are improving on. Evaluation-wise, there’s some players that did a nice job, and it’s still a work in progress.”
• Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said head coach Sean Payton has done a good job at changing the culture in Denver. Joseph called the Broncos a “young and open-minded” group that’s eager to improve.
“Being young is not bad,” Joseph said. “It’s a new start for the Broncos.”
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Originally Published: August 15, 2024 at 3:22 p.m.
