July 27th 2024.
Attendance:
The team had a few players who were unable to practice due to injuries. Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell and linebacker Drew Sanders were both on the Physically Unable to Perform List, while running back Blake Watson was on the Non-Football Injury list. Additionally, Brandon Jones and offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo were out with injuries.
Coach Sean Payton provided an update on Jones, saying that he had suffered a hamstring injury during Friday's practice and would likely be out for one to two weeks. Jones was seen on the sidelines with a black sleeve on his left leg. Payton expects him to make a quick recovery and believes two weeks is a realistic timeframe for his return.
Quarterback Race:
During Saturday's practice, the focus was on the quarterbacks and their performance in the red zone. As expected, Jarrett Stidham took first-team reps, with Bo Nix on the second team and Zach Wilson leading the third team. All three quarterbacks showed improvement from the previous day, each throwing a touchdown pass. Nix had a rough start with a turnover in the first period, but he settled in and connected with wide receiver David Sills and tight end Greg Dulcich for impressive throws.
Payton mentioned that the quarterback rotation could change within the next two weeks, but did not go into specifics. He said that there will come a time when the rotation will begin to shift and eventually, the starting quarterback will become clear.
Top Play:
Running back Javonte Williams made an impressive touchdown catch during the second period of 11-on-11. Nix threw a pass to the corner of the end zone where Williams made a diving catch while falling to the ground. This showcased Williams' receiving skills, which have improved due to his weight loss.
Thumbs Up:
Safety Caden Sterns returned to practice after being sidelined since last fall. He passed his physical and was removed from the PUP list. Although he did not participate in team drills, Sterns was active during individual drills and the walk-through period.
Thumbs Down:
Nix made his first mistake of training camp during 11-on-11 when his pass to tight end Greg Dulcich was intercepted by cornerback Levi Wallace. This was a reminder that even though Nix has shown improvement, he is still a rookie and will make mistakes.
Inconsistency in the run game was also noted during Saturday's practice. The offense had a hard time gaining yards on the ground, as the defensive line quickly closed in on the running backs. However, running back Jaleel McLaughlin did make a nice spin move to avoid contact, showcasing his agility.
Odds and Ends:
There were a few notable moments during practice. Wide receiver Troy Franklin made an impressive catch in the end zone off a pass from Wilson, showcasing his speed and why the team selected him in the fourth round. Luke Wattenberg continued to receive the majority of first-team reps, with Alex Forsyth splitting time between center and guard. Legendary Broncos player Randy Gradishar spoke to reporters about his upcoming induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and punter Trenton Gill was used as a kickoff specialist during the special teams portion of practice.
Payton also mentioned that Dulcich's confidence is growing as he continues to make plays on the field. The tight end has been battling injuries but has been heavily involved in team drills and has impressed with his performance.
Sunday Schedule:
The team will have a day off on Sunday but will return to practice for six consecutive days starting on Monday. Fans can enter the parking lot at 8 a.m., gates at 9 a.m., and practice will begin at 10 a.m. For more updates on the Broncos, sign up for the Broncos Insider to receive all the latest news and analysis.
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