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). Out — S Brandon Jones (hamstring), OLB Nik Bonitto (back), CB Levi Wallace (hamstring), LB Alex Singleton (rest) and LB Justin Strnad (groin).
The Broncos announced the signing of former Air Force linebacker Alec Mock. In a corresponding move, Denver waived edge rusher Ronnie Perkins with an injury designation.
RELATED: Broncos’ first unofficial depth chart lists QB Jarrett Stidham at top, but with a caveat
QB Race Today
Jarrett Stidham received first-team reps on a blazing hot Tuesday morning, with rookie Bo Nix taking snaps with the second team. Zach Wilson was Denver’s third-string quarterback.
Stidham and Nix made plays during the 7-on-7 period. Stidham completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Adam Trautman, fitting the ball through tight coverage to make the completion. Nix, on the other hand, threw two touchdown passes. First, he threw a 23-yard pass to tight end Lucas Krull for a score. On the following play, Tim Patrick slipped past cornerback Reese Taylor before Nix threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to the veteran wideout.
Top Play
Broncos rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele has a knack for making plays. During the third team period of the morning, Zach Wilson threw a back-shoulder pass near the goal line, where Vele got up and made a contested catch over cornerback Art Green.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Vele has the size that allows him to make 50-50 catches. There have been a few occasions during camp when the former Utah wide receiver has shown off that trait.
“We gotta keep giving him opportunities because he has strong hands in traffic,” head coach Sean Payton said. “When you are throwing to him, he has a large catch radius, so you become a more accurate quarterback.”
Thumbs Up
Smith makes a couple of plays in coverage: Denver cornerback Tremon Smith, a core special teamer, was effective during the team period. Smith broke up Bo Nix’s 25-yard pass attempt to wideout Marvin Mims Jr. Later, he picked off Zach Wilson after the pass was tipped off running back Audric Estime’s hands.
Thumbs Down
Wilson had one of his worst practices: Though Zach Wilson had a hand in the top play of the day, his overall body of work wasn’t pleasing to the eyes. In addition to the interception, his pass attempt to wide receiver Michael Bandy was deflected by edge rusher Durell Nchami. During the final team period, he had a pass nearly picked off by inside linebacker Levelle Bailey, and his last attempt bounced off a defender’s helmet.
Odds and Ends
• Sean Payton wasn’t pleased about the Broncos’ effort during practice and said the players hit a mental wall. “I thought it was OK. It wasn’t one of our better practices,” he said. “We’ve got to turn it around tomorrow and get some better work done.”
• Broncos linebacker Jonas Griffith said he was surprised about Bo Nix’s speed. During training camp, Nix has had moments where he would escape the pocket and scramble for positive yardage. At Oregon, Nix collected 744 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons.
“He was running a few days ago, and I was like ‘Whoa, he’s kind of fast,’ and I consider myself a fast guy,” Griffith said. “He’s not as fast as me.”
• Griffith hasn’t played in an NFL game since November 2022 due to injuries, so it’s safe to say Sunday’s preseason opener against the Colts will be an emotional moment. “I’m gonna feel like a kid on Christmas Day,” said Griffith, who missed the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL. “I’m just thankful to have the opportunity to strap up again.”
• With the Broncos playing all of their preseason games on Sundays this year, they are allowed to get into a normal workweek flow, said Payton.
“It becomes a little more challenging when you have a Friday (game), then a Sunday (and) a Thursday,” Payton said. “It gives us a full week of preparation.”
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Originally Published: August 6, 2024 at 3:33 p.m.
