The Denver Broncos will kick off their first preseason game in 72 hours. Leading up to Friday’s kickoff, the team was back on the practice field for Tuesday’s 12th day of training camp.
Denver Broncos offense, Russell Wilson consistently improving
The early part of training camp saw the Denver Broncos offense and Russell Wilson struggle against Denver’s very aggressive defense. However, the offense has struck back for four consecutive days as Wilson and the offense continue to move the needle upwards as Sean Payton’s offensive install progresses.
In particular, Wilson had an efficient practice in the team’s red-zone 7-on-7 period during the early stages of Tuesday’s practice. He connected with Jerry Jeudy and Samaje Perine on back-to-back plays before finding Greg Dulcich in the back of the endzone for a touchdown.
The second-team offense led by Jarrett Stidham saw four plays, including a touchdown pass to undrafted rookie free agent running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Ben DiNucci led the third offensive unit to an efficient outing finding Tony Jones Jr for a reception, Nick Williams, and throwing two touchdown passes to Albert Okwuegbunam and Nate Adkins.
The offensive evaluation mattered the most in the two-minute period toward the end of practice. Denver’s offense found themselves in a “need to score” situation with 1:40 on the clock and two timeouts.
Wilson marched the offense down the field for 75 yards while connecting with second-round rookie wide receiver Marvin Mims for a big gain. Greg Dulcich, Jalen Virgil, and Courtland Sutton each had key receptions on the drive, and Sutton would haul in a touchdown catch from Wilson with around 20 seconds on the clock.
Wilson was near perfect on the drive, and the offense didn’t have to use any of their timeouts. Certain narratives have been painted about the Broncos’ offensive success for the past four days. Still, even as Justin Simmons deals with a groin injury that’s held him out the past two days, the offense began building momentum even when he was on the field.
When Wilson or the offense struggled in practice, they’d get torn apart in the court of public opinion, but when the offense has success, the narrative shifts to “It was just practice.”
If we’re moving the goal posts, let’s include that starting left tackle Garett Bolles and starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey were not on the field during the offense’s periods on Tuesday. Bolles had a veterans day off while McGlinchey left practice with an apparent lower extremity injury.
He walked off under his own power with trainers but didn’t return.
Injuries hit the Denver Broncos again on Tuesday
As discussed above, Mike McGlinchey’s departure from practice will continue to be monitored ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Broncos head coach Sean Payton did not meet with the media on Tuesday because it was a coordinator’s day at the podium.
McGlinchey wasn’t the only key player to leave practice, as Broncos wide receiver Brandon Johnson went down with a lower extremity injury during one-on-ones. Johnson stayed on the ground for a few minutes while trainers examined him, but he got up and walked off under his own power.
As Friday’s preseason opener inches closer and closer, if Johnson and McGlinchey cannot play or miss any time, here are some players to keep an eye on.
Marquez Callaway and Kendall Hinton are two players who have played in the role Johnson was in before his injury and will be players to keep an eye on. Callaway has been heavily involved with every offensive unit and quarterback, which has given him a large volume of reps.
Hinton continues to work his way back after recently being activated off of the team’s PUP list.
For McGlinchey, both Cam Fleming and Isaiah Prince are two players to keep an eye on for playing time at right tackle if McGlinchey is forced to miss any time.
Other Denver Broncos news and notes
- Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph shared high praise for safety P.J. Locke on Tuesday.
- “I’ve seen with [P.J. Locke] from the spring to now major growth,” Joseph said. “He’s a mature guy. Right now, he’s in the mix to be our third safety with some dime and some nickel stuff. He’s earning it. You watch him play last year; he’s a guy that plays close to the ball with aggression. He can play centerfield and half. He’s the perfect three or four safety for us that can help in the nickel and dime.”
- Rookie cornerback Riley Moss was seen at practice wearing his jersey and a ball cap as he recovers from core muscle surgery.
- Kareem Jackson, K’Waun Williams, and Garett Bolles each had veteran’s days off on Tuesday.
- Justin Simmons, Aaron Patrick, and Chris Manhertz did not participate as the Broncos play it safe with them as they deal with injuries.
- Second-year wide receiver Montrell Washington continues to have an under-the-radar training camp, hauling in a 40-yard bomb downfield for a touchdown in one-on-ones with tightly contested coverage.
- The Denver Broncos will have one final practice on Wednesday before they travel to Arizona on Thursday ahead of their first preseason game on Friday.