The Denver Broncos wrapped up Friday’s practice, which officially puts them one week away from their first preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Friday’s practice saw the offense put together their best day in pads.

Denver Broncos Day 8 Training Camp: Bo Nix, offense sharp in two-minute drill

One of the best ways to evaluate a training camp practice is when the pads are fully on, and there are competitive game-like environments. Friday’s practice was a fully padded one, and Bo Nix and the Broncos shined in the two-minute drill.

The simulation was fourth quarter, 1:20 seconds left on the game clock, offense down 24-20 with no timeouts, and needing to drive 60+ yards to win.

Nix’s first attempt was targeting Courtland Sutton with a quick pass, but Riley Moss, who has had a strong training camp to date, came through and broke up the pass. The good news in this scenario is that the incompletion stops the clock, and it allowed the offense to move on to the next play.

Wide receiver Pat Bryant caught a pass working against Patrick Surtain II and got out of bounds after a modest gain. Clock stopped. On the third play, Nix escaped pressure and stepped up in the pocket to deliver a strike to Evan Engram for about eight yards, picking up the first down to the 35-yard line. Clock still running.

Nix then ripped a shot to Sutton right above the linebacker, in front of the safety, and into a window where only Courtland could catch it, while Surtain was in coverage. Tempo and urgency. Nix and the offense rushed to the line and spiked the ball with 18 seconds left.

On the very next play, Nix threw a perfect pass to Evan Engram in the back of the end zone with 15 seconds remaining, which would have given the offense a 26-24 lead pending the PAT. End of period.

After the defense won the day in Denver’s previous three padded practices, the Broncos offense came away with a huge one.

Broncos injuries pile up on Friday

In Friday’s practice, several players left with what appeared to be injuries.

Defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, who has had a terrific under-the-radar camp, was carted into the locker room during individual drills. He was visibly upset as he was taken to the locker room.

Just a little over a year ago, Henningsen suffered a torn Achilles in a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers and put in a lot of work behind the scenes with rehab to come back from it. It’s unclear what the injury is, and we won’t speculate, but I feel terrible for him considering how hard he’s worked to get back to football.

Wide receiver Marvin Mims exited practice with head athletic trainer Vince Garcia after he pulled up while running down the field with Talanoa Hufanga in coverage. Mims didn’t have a limp, but he did walk around for a bit before sitting down and stretching, before ultimately heading inside with Garcia.

Tight end Nate Adkins also exited practice and walked in with Garcia and Mims.

Friday’s practice standouts

Rookie linebacker Red Murdock had a flashy play during a 7-on-7 drill on Friday, punching the football out of fellow rookie Justin Joly’s hands after he made a reception, and forcing a fumble.

Joly also had several catches in the various team periods throughout the day as he’s been acclimating to his role as a blocker and pass catcher. The rookie tight end also did a great job springing Marvin Mims up the sideline with a great block.

Rookie running back Jonah Coleman had the best run of training camp so far of any of the backs in a fully padded setting, making a nice move inside and staying patient before finding a crease and getting past the second level for what looked like a 15-20 yard gain. He, RJ Harvey, and Jaleel McLaughlin stood out in the run game on Friday.

In Denver’s second team period of the day, Harvey had a nice 10+ yard run on the inside, and another one of five to six yards.

Defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike continued his streak of being hard to block, wrapping up J.K. Dobbins on a run play at the line of scrimmage in Denver’s first team period, and did the same thing in the second team period, grabbing onto Dobbins while wrapping his arms around center Alex Forsyth.

Second-year outside linebacker Johnny Walker Jr., who has had a strong camp so far at one of the most loaded positions depth-wise, had a couple of impressive plays. He had an inside move in his pass rush where he was in the path of the quarterback, but was clearly held. In Denver’s third team period, he came off the edge clean for what would have been a sack in a real game.

Outside linebacker Drew Sanders and rookie linebacker Taurean York combined for a big stop on rookie Jonah Coleman in Denver’s second team period.

The Denver Broncos will have another practice on Saturday, where the expectation is that it will be a scrimmage-like practice environment. Vance Joseph will be running the show as Sean Payton inducts Drew Brees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday.