Lost in the shuffle of the Denver Broncos announcing Bo Nix as the starting quarterback on Wednesday, several players who have been on the injury report returned to practice and continued that trend on Thursday.
Denver Broncos injury report after Thursday’s practice
The Denver Broncos have had a good streak this offseason of minimizing or, more importantly, avoiding long-term injuries during this year’s training camp.
Last Thursday, rookie wide receiver Devaughn Vele left practice and did not return, and missed Friday’s practice and Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. He returned to practice on Wednesday and was also out there for today’s practice.
Not only did Vele return, but the Broncos saw veteran cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) back for the first time on Wednesday. Wallace was back on the field during Thursday’s practice, getting reps in the defensive rotation at cornerback.
Because of his veteran experience and playing the position, he’s in a better position coming back.
“When guys miss time, it’s not a good thing,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said on Thursday. “Thank God, especially for Levi, he’s a veteran corner whose played a lot of football, he’s super smart so the mental part I don’t worry about him as a corner, but the safety spot is a little different. It’s a different system for Brandon [Jones], different calls, different language. Levi’s in a different boat than Brandon.”
Speaking of, Jones (hamstring) continues to ease his way back in as the coaching staff’s main goal is to get him ready for the start of the regular season. He was back at practice Wednesday and was also present during Thursday’s practice, but he’s missed a lot of time working his way back into the new system, which presents the team with some concerns.
“That’s always a concern,” Joseph said. “Playing football and being in the meeting room is different. Having him back out there and getting reps is important — we play next week. When guys miss time, it’s always critical they get back to the playing field, also off the field having their studies in check. Playing the game is playing the game — it’s not on the sideline.”
Cornerback Art Green (concussion) was back on Wednesday after missing last week as he worked his way through the NFL’s concussion protocol following his collision with Indianapolis Colts tight end Jelani Woods in Week 1 of the preseason.
Offensive guard Calvin Throckmorton was seen on the team’s side field on Wednesday but shortly rejoined his teammates for practice. He was back participating normally on Thursday.
Denver has one more practice on Friday before Sunday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, which leads right into the roster cutdown date on Aug. 27.