Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) greets Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (19) as he runs for a stretch during training camp at Broncos Park. Powered by CommonSpirit in Englewood, Colo., on Saturday, July 27, 2024. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Attendance
I do not practice: List of players physically unable to play: S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles). List of players with non-football injuries: RB Blake Watson (strain). Out: Brandon Jones (hamstring) and OL Nick Gargiulo.
Head coach Sean Payton said he expects Jones to be out for one to two weeks because of a hamstring injury he suffered during Friday’s practice. Jones watched the game from the sideline, as he had a black sleeve covering his left leg.
“He’ll attack the rehab pretty quickly, but I think two weeks would be realistic,” Payton said.
QB race today
The quarterbacks got plenty of work in the red zone on Saturday. As expected, Jarrett Stidham received first-team reps, with Bo Nix on the second team and Zach Wilson leading the third team. All three quarterbacks were much better compared to the day before, and each threw a touchdown pass. After Nix committed a turnover during the first period of 11-on-11, he settled in and made a couple of impressive throws. He connected with wide receiver David Sills on an outside route. Later, he found tight end Greg Dulcich in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. He also had the play of the day (more on that later).
Payton didn’t go into details, but said the quarterback rotation could change in the next two weeks.
“I’m not going to give you daily updates,” Payton said. “There will come a time when you’ll see the rotation start to change. And at some point, everything will become clear on its own.”
Top game
Williams makes an impressive touchdown catch: In the second quarter of 11-on-11, running back Javonte Williams showed off his skills as a receiver. Nix threw a pass to the corner of the end zone, where Williams caught the ball for a touchdown while falling to the ground. Credit goes to Williams’ weight loss, as he continues to look faster on the field.
thumbs up
Welcome back, Caden: While Jones was sidelined, safety Caden Sterns (knee) practiced for the first time since last fall, having passed his physical and been removed from the ineligible to play list. Sterns did not participate during the team period, but was active during individual drills and the practice period.
“We have to be very smart (with Sterns)… It will be a process,” Payton said.
Jonas Griffith can cover ground: Griffith made some nice plays in coverage during the 7-on-7 period in the red zone, including a third-down pass breakup. Griffith is competing against Cody Barton to be the starter at inside linebacker alongside Alex Singleton. Griffith’s ability to make plays in coverage could be the difference between which player comes out on top. Earlier in the week, Griffith drew tight coverage on Adam Trautman, leading to a pass breakup.
Thumbs down
Nix makes the first mistake of the camp: During the 11-on-11, Nix’s pass attempt to tight end Greg Dulcich didn’t go as planned. Dulcich had several defenders surrounding him, but Nix tried to make a play, resulting in cornerback Levi Wallace stepping in front of the pass and making the interception.
Inconsistency in the ground game: It will be interesting to see how Denver’s running attack holds up when players put on pads next week. On Saturday, however, the offense struggled to get anything out of the running game as the defensive line quickly closed in on the running backs multiple times. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin made a nice spin move to avoid contact but was only able to gain a couple yards right after. Cornerback Reese Taylor reportedly tackled Tyler Badie for a loss as he was in the running back’s face as soon as Nix released the ball.
Scraps
• Troy Franklin finally got a look. During the 7-on-7 period, Franklin outran a defender before catching the ball with two hands in the end zone off a pass from Wilson. Franklin has a lot of work to do, but his touchdown catch showed why the Broncos decided to move up in the fourth round to select him with the 102nd pick. Franklin’s speed is invaluable.
• Saturday was another day where Luke Wattenberg received the majority of the first-team reps at center. Payton said Alex Forsyth has been splitting reps between center and guard.
• A week before he is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Broncos legend Randy Gradishar told reporters he is excited but nervous about his big day on Aug. 3. He added that his speech has been written and approved. “I just have to keep working on it,” he said.
• After spending the offseason in Denver, Wilson said he’s comfortable with the concepts of the play. However, he’s still learning new things every day, such as where players should line up and which player he should put in motion.
“I can always keep practicing and get more comfortable with it,” Wilson said. “But I’ve been good enough to function without any issues.”
• Kicker Trenton Gill was used as a kickoff specialist during the special teams practice period. If Denver believes Gill brings value in that area, that could separate him in the kicking competition with Riley Dixon.
• As Dulcich continues to make plays on the field, Payton believes his confidence will grow. This week marked the first time Dulcich practiced since last winter after battling hamstring and foot injuries throughout last season. He has been very involved with the team and has moved well on the field.
“Every day we see plays (from Dulcich),” Payton said. “But the biggest thing is we see his confidence. We can wish for confidence, but it comes from demonstrated ability. When he (makes a play), there’s a sliver of confidence that carries over into the next practice.”
Sunday schedule
The Broncos rest on Sunday before practicing for six days straight, starting Monday. Parking lots open at 8 a.m., gates at 9 a.m. and practice begins at 10 a.m.
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