October 15th 2024.
The Denver Broncos may have a shorter week ahead of them, but they are eagerly anticipating the return of some key players for their game against the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey and outside linebacker Baron Browning, both on injured reserve, have been given the green light to return to practice and can make their comeback within the next three weeks. They were listed as limited participants in Tuesday's practice session.
The team also welcomed back cornerback Damarri Mathis, who was previously on injured reserve, to practice. To make room for these returning players, the Broncos released inside linebacker Kristian Welch and waived safety Tanner McCalister, opening up two spots on their 53-man roster. Head coach Sean Payton revealed that they made some modifications to their practice routine to allow certain players to engage in contact work, despite it being a walkthrough day.
Payton acknowledged that the challenge of a Thursday night game is quite different from a regular game. He noted that the team would have preferred to practice in shoulder pads and helmets, but they had to make do with what they had. In addition to McGlinchey, the Broncos also had Alex Palczewski returning to practice in a limited capacity on Tuesday. Palczewski had suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 5 and missed the following game against the Chargers. Browning had a strong start to the season before sustaining a foot injury in Week 2, but the Broncos' pass rush has managed to hold its own without him. Palczewski filled in for McGlinchey during his absence, but he too got injured, making the return of one or both players a positive outcome for the team.
Mathis injured his ankle in the final preseason game and had to sit out the beginning of the season on injured reserve. Now, he is ready to make his comeback and contribute to the team's defense. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi emphasized the importance of energy and execution in Thursday night games, rather than relying solely on complicated schemes. He hoped that the players would come out with a determined mindset to perform well.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph echoed Lombardi's sentiments, stating that these short weeks are all about the team's system and basic game plan. With limited time to prepare, it is crucial for the team to rely on their core strategies and stay focused on the game. Joseph believes that it ultimately comes down to mindset and determination to overcome the challenges of a short week.
Payton also shared a lighthearted moment when he reminded rookie quarterback Bo Nix that the NFL is a whole different ballgame compared to college. Nix and the Denver offense struggled in their previous game against the Chargers, but they managed to rally in the fourth quarter and put up a valiant fight. Payton emphasized the importance of staying focused and taking it one game at a time in the NFL.
As the Broncos gear up for their matchup against the Saints, fans can stay updated on all the latest news and analysis by signing up for the Broncos Insider.
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