September 13th 2024.
Troy Franklin, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, shared with The Denver Post that he's thrilled to finally have the opportunity to make his rookie debut in the upcoming home opener against Pittsburgh on Sunday. Last week, Franklin was unable to play in the loss against Seattle, but with fellow rookie Devaughn Vele out due to a rib injury, Franklin is next in line to step up.
"I've been eagerly waiting for my first NFL game," Franklin expressed to The Post. "It's been a long time coming, and I'm excited to finally have my chance to contribute."
Franklin, who was selected in the fourth round of the April draft, had a bit of a rocky training camp with some struggles in catching and adjusting to the NFL playbook. However, his speed and ability to gain yards after the catch make him a valuable asset to the Broncos. While it's uncertain how much playing time he'll receive, Franklin feels confident in his abilities and hopes to make an impact against Pittsburgh.
"I had a great week of practice and I'm hoping to carry that momentum into the game on Sunday," Franklin shared. "I was focused on running clean routes and minimizing any mistakes. I made some big plays out there, and I'm ready to do it again."
In terms of injuries, the Broncos are looking relatively healthy with the exception of Vele. Left tackle Garett Bolles, wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and center Luke Wattenberg, who all missed practice on Wednesday, were able to participate fully on Friday after being limited the day before. Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, quarterback Russell Wilson is listed as questionable and will likely serve as the emergency third quarterback while backup Justin Fields makes his second consecutive start.
For inside linebacker Kristian Welch, joining the Broncos was a bit of a whirlwind experience. He had just arrived in Denver less than two weeks before the season opener and spent most of his time studying the playbook and getting familiar with the team's strategies. Despite the chaotic week, Welch was able to make an impact on both special teams and defense during the game against the Seahawks.
"It was a crazy week," Welch admitted. "My wife and kids weren't even here yet, so I was constantly studying the playbook whenever I wasn't at practice or working out. I wanted to make sure I had everything down."
Welch had the chance to see the Broncos in action during joint practice and a preseason game when he was still with the Green Bay Packers. After he was cut by the Packers, Welch joined Denver and was impressed by their performance during the joint practice.
"Honestly, it was a big factor in my decision to sign with the Broncos," Welch said of his experience at the practice. "Green Bay really showed us up during practice and the game, and I respected the way the Broncos operated. There was a sense of respect for this team."
In other Broncos news, running back Audric Estime was placed on the injured reserve this week due to an ankle injury. Head coach Sean Payton revealed that Estime got injured during his second carry in the game against Seattle, where he was taken down by Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams. Estime is expected to miss at least four games. To stay updated with all the latest Broncos news, be sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider.
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