The Denver Broncos were back at it on Wednesday for practice as they now prepare to face their AFC West division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Patrick Mahomes. Denver’s hoping to have more reinforcements for Sunday’s game, and one key starter on defense returned to practice, while a younger defensive player saw his first action of the year.
Denver Broncos P.J. Locke, Drew Sanders return to practice Wednesday
Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke has missed the last two weeks of practice and last two games with a thumb injury that’s kept him out of action. There’s a chance he can return to the starting lineup on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs after he was spotted back at practice on Wednesday inside the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse.
Snowy conditions moved Wednesday’s practice indoors, and it wasn’t just Locke who was spotted back in his helmet and shoulder pads. Second-year outside linebacker Drew Sanders was back at practice for the first time this season, officially opening his 21-day window to be fully activated from the PUP/injured reserve list.
With Denver’s decision to move on from pass rusher Baron Browning earlier this week, Sanders’ return is timely where the pass rush depth highlights him, Dondrea Tillman, and Jonah Elliss in supporting roles behind starters Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto.
Denver Broncos moved practice indoors today due to snowy conditions.
P.J. Locke (thumb), Luke Wattenberg (ankle) back at practice while Drew Sanders (Achilles) was on the field for the first time this season after suffering the injury in April. pic.twitter.com/a3LLpReJR6
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) November 6, 2024
Center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was back at practice for the first time as well, opening his 21-day window. Alex Forsyth has played really well since filling in for Wattenberg, and it will be interesting to see if head coach Sean Payton goes back to Wattenberg even with Forsyth playing well.
Wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) and running back Tyler Badie (back) exited right before practice began to conduct work on the team’s side field, away from the media viewing portion of practice. Wattenberg, Reynolds, and Badie are all eligible to come off of injured reserve this week if the team decides to go that route, but they’ll work to manage the roster as the week progresses.