It was Back Together Weekend around the NFL as the Denver Broncos conducted their fourth practice of training camp.

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense started the day hot, but the defense adjusted as practice continued.

Denver Broncos Training Camp Day 4 Recap

Typically at the start of training camp, most of us on the beat are accustomed to seeing the Broncos defense dominate the early portions of camp because they’re typically further ahead than the offense.

That has not been the case to start this year’s training camp, because the Broncos offense has some sauce to it in the dog days of summer.

During Saturday’s practice, Bo Nix and the Broncos offense got off to a hot start in 7-on-7 and their first team period of the day, before the defense adjusted in the later periods.

In 7-on-7, Nix connected on passes to Adam Trautman, Jaylen Waddle, and a dime to RJ Harvey for a touchdown. For their first team period, Nix found wide receiver Pat Bryant while rolling out for a touchdown deep downfield.

After that, the Broncos defense tightened up. Riley Moss had a nice pass breakup while in phase against Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and also had tight coverage on Courtland Sutton on another downfield play that fell incomplete. Malcolm Roach and Zach Allen created pressure on one play that would have resulted in a likely sack in a real game scenario.

For the Broncos’ final team period, Nix connected with Waddle, who was being guarded by Patrick Surtain II, but Waddle’s speed created separation after the catch. Surtain broke up a pass intended for Lil’Jordan Humphrey two plays later.

To end Nix’s day in the final team period, he found Lil’Jordan Humphrey wide open for a big gain.

Marvin Mims continues to stack days, QB2 battle heating up?

Marvin Mims had himself another strong showing during Saturday’s scorching afternoon practice. He caught passes on the day from Sam Ehlinger, but he hauled in his second deep ball in the last two days, yesterday from Bo Nix, and today from Jarrett Stidham.

Marvin got behind the Broncos’ secondary and Stidham hit him in stride. Mims’ ability to track the ball deep downfield has stood out early on here in camp, and that’s something he’s demonstrated throughout his young career.

Today’s practice also saw Ehlinger get quarterback reps in team ahead of Stidham. Denver’s overall rotation of reps are divided amongst four snaps per quarterback per team period, and Stidham saw Friday’s reps behind Nix, but it was Ehlinger who saw those reps on Saturday.

Ehlinger was sharp in 7-on-7, connecting with Evan Engram, who hauled in another big play downfield, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey on back-to-back plays.

Stidham found Hakeem Butler for a solid gain in 7-on-7, but the biggest plays of the day came in the team period, with Stiddy connecting on two deep touchdowns to Mims and Butler.

Other Denver Broncos news and notes + standouts

Outside linebacker Drew Sanders was not spotted at practice for the second consecutive day.

Outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman, wide receiver Joseph Manjack, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, and linebacker Jordan Turner all participated on the team’s side field with trainers.

Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had two plays today for big gains, working against his former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain II. Wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey had a few big catches in 7-on-7 and continues to have a solid start to training camp.

Outside linebacker Que Robinson had a few plays on the day where he generated pressure off the edge and hurried Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham.

Undrafted rookie linebacker Taurean York had a pressure on a Stidham dropback in team period.

The Broncos will be off on Sunday before returning for Day 5 of training camp on Monday.