The Denver Broncos were in shells on Wednesday ahead of tomorrow’s fully padded joint practice that’s set with the Arizona Cardinals. After the first preseason game and initial joint practice vs. San Francisco last week, the training camp focus for the team has shifted to refinement and reps over intense competitive periods.

Denver Broncos ramp up for joint practice vs. Cardinals

With a fully padded practice coming up tomorrow against the Arizona Cardinals, Bo Nix and the Broncos were back on the field on Wednesday in what was another ramp up practice for Sean Payton’s team.

Denver’s first team period of the day saw J.K. Dobbins get a few carries, in what appeared to be another day of run and play-action emphasis, which was the same theme the team had in Tuesday’s practice.

On Nix’s lone passing attempt of the period, Jonathon Cooper barreled in with pressure and seemingly came away with what would have been a sack in a real game scenario.

But Nix and the offense had a better showing in the second team period of the day, with Nix connecting with Courtland Sutton twice on a four-play series, including a highlight throw and catch that saw Sutton high point the ball around 15-20 yards downfield with Jahdae Barron playing tight underneath coverage.

In a goal-line period later on, Nix found Sutton for a touchdown working against Ja’Quan McMillian. Overall, there weren’t a ton of high-tempo competitive periods today because it was a ramp up practice, but both sides of the ball put together some quality snaps as Payton and his staff continue to emphasize working on the little details that impacted the team in last week’s joint practice and preseason game.

The first week and a half of being in full pads is designed to be more competitive within the team structure, and while competition still exists, the focus now is more on playing within the system and shoring up the mistakes made in game action, and tomorrow’s joint practice will re-ignite the competitive emphasis.

Broncos’ Pat Bryant continues to impress

Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant is invested in doing the dirty work for the Broncos’ offense and on special teams. He continued his impressive offseason with a strong showing in practice on Wednesday, hauling in two passes from Jarrett Stidham in a move-the-ball period, including an impressive back-shoulder adjustment. One play later, Bryant drew what would have been defensive pass interference on a route in the endzone that saw CB Quinton Newsome interfere with the play.

Bryant showed a willingness to block in Saturday’s preseason win, including an impressive one that allowed Trent Sherfield to get crucial yards after the catch coming out into the second half of play.

Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi also made mention on Wednesday of Bryant’s engagement on the special teams side of the ball.

“With ‘PB’ (WR Pat Bryant), I love the toughness he brings,” Rizzi said. “He came in here with a great attitude. He came in here—kind of like what I mentioned with [WR] Trent Sherfield [Sr.]—kind of like, ‘Hey, I’m ready to do anything. I’m ready to block and I’m ready to go tackle.’ He kind of has like a defensive back mentality for a receiver, which I like special teams-wise. A lot of the time, it’s hard to find those guys. He has been a really great addition, too. We’re going to get him out here on the field the next two days on special teams and get him more reps. I really like the way he’s been progressing.”

Dating back to rookie minicamp, Bryant has been one of the most exciting young players to watch, and it’s a great sign that he’s been able to showcase consistency on a daily basis.

Broncos news and notes from Wednesday

  • Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was observing practice for the second consecutive day.
  • Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw was a participant in individual drills.
  • CB Reese Taylor and FB/TE Nate Adkins were not participating in practice.
  • CB Damarri Mathis exited during practice and walked off with a trainer and did not return.

Tomorrow’s joint practice will conclude the last one that’s open to the general ticketed public for the remainder of camp.