The Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams wrapped up their final joint training camp practice together on Thursday. Both teams await Saturday’s preseason finale at Empower Field at Mile High.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy leaves practice due to injury
It was another scorching day in Dove Valley as the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams competed against each other once again during joint practices.
During Thursday’s practice, Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy pulled up at the end of the play, grabbing his hamstring. He was visibly in pain and discomfort and had to be helped off the field by trainers, eventually carted off.
Jeudy’s injury serves as another blow to the Broncos’ wide receiver room that has plenty of depth but a lot of questions behind him and Courtland Sutton.
“No, it’s a hamstring,” Payton said. “He’ll get an MRI, and we’ll kind of see where he’s at with it. Nothing more.”
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport noted that Jeudy will miss several weeks with a moderate hamstring injury. This puts his status into question for Week 1 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Broncos will rely heavily on players like Brandon Johnson, Kendall Hinton, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey to step up even further.
Hinton continued his ascendance this week with several big catches the past two days during joint practices.
“He’s smart,” Payton said. “He’s savvy. He’s one of those players who has a good feel. I think he locates and tracks the ball well. He knows who he is. He’s better in the slot and some of those interior option routes. The first thing I think of is he’s got really good football instincts.”
Nik Bonitto, Broncos defense have several big moments vs. Rams offense
The Denver Broncos defense got off to a hot start early on, but the Rams rebounded toward the end of Thursday’s final joint practice.
Nik Bonitto had several plays that demonstrated a quick burst off the line of scrimmage. On two plays in particular, Bonitto came free and got to Matthew Stafford for what would have been two sacks in a real game.
Josey Jewell came free on a designed pressure and would have come up with a sack on Stafford.
After the initial 11-on-11 period, the defense and Rams offense transitioned to the far field at the facility. In the red-zone period, the Rams scored several times, but the defense also made several plays.
Essang Bassey intercepted Stafford in the red zone on one play, then proceeded to get into a receiver’s hip pocket to knock a pass away on the next play.
It’s unlikely that any of Denver’s starters will play on Saturday, and unfortunately, we never got to see Patrick Surtain and Cooper Kupp match up against each other during practice.
Former Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien reflects on Denver, new opportunity in Los Angeles
During the offseason, former Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien signed with the Los Angeles Rams to compete for the backup job behind Matthew Stafford.
Rypien has seen his fair share of quarterbacks and coaches during his previous tenure with the Broncos, but this week’s joint practice allowed him to reflect and reminisce a little.
“It’s been weird,” Rypien said reflecting on being back at Dove Valley. “Being over in this locker room, I was here in 2020 and 2021 [visitor’s locker room], so that feels normal. Seeing all those guys out there, being in a different jersey is odd. It was great to see so many players that I played with and guys that I’ve built relationships with. For me, it was really cool just being out there yesterday and having guys come and talk to me. That obviously means I left an impression on a good amount of people here, and that’s what you ultimately try to do, win or lose. You try to create relationships and be a good person, work hard every single day, so that was cool.”
Broncos safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson bantered back and forth with Rypien during Wednesday’s practice in a joking manner, similar to how they did last season. When talking to other Broncos players, Rypien is someone many players described as the ultimate teammate and friend.
As a member of the Rams, he’s eager to keep growing as a quarterback in the NFL under Sean McVay.
“He’s about as sharp as they come,” Rypien said. “Super detailed and brings great energy every day. He’s a really great leader and you can tell why they’ve had so much success. Barring last year, it was an anomaly. They’ve been to the playoffs and two Super Bowls with Sean. It’s no secret. He comes to work every single day with the same attitude, the same effort, and gets guys to play hard for him.”
After the Rams arrived in town, they drove down I-25 to their team hotel. On the way there, Rypien acknowledged how much he missed seeing the rocky mountains.
While the view of Colorado is great, he misses the people he’s grown to know over the course of his career.
“I think the thing I miss most about this place, it’s just like I said before, the people,” Rypien said. “Support staff, players, you name it. There are a lot of great people here, and I’m just rooting for these guys.”
Other Denver Broncos news and notes
- Veteran defensive tackle Mike Purcell returned to practice for the first time since undergoing an off-season surgery.
- Cornerback Damarri Mathis did not physically participate during Thursday’s joint practice.
- Albert Okwuegbunam continued to take strides forward as he looks to finish the preseason on a high note.
- Sean Payton noted that Marvin Mims will play quite a bit on Saturday in the team’s preseason finale.
- While it hasn’t been confirmed, it’s unlikely that any of the Broncos’ main starters will play on Saturday.
- If they do, Payton noted earlier this week that it wouldn’t be anything more than a series.
What’s next?
The Denver Broncos will host the Los Angeles Rams in the preseason finale at Empower Field at Mile High at 7:00 p.m. MT. Fans can watch on NFL Network and 9News.