On the fourth day of Denver Broncos Training Camp, it was “Back Together Saturday” across the National Football League.
After running through a jog-through pace on Friday, the intensity ramped up once again in front of a jam-packed, sold-out crowd of 7,121 fans.
Denver Broncos secondary shines on Day 4 of Training Camp
The Broncos’ secondary was sharp once again during Saturday’s practice at the UCHealth Training Center.
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Practice featured some star-studded matchups between Patrick Surtain, Ronald Darby, K’Waun Williams, and Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, and Tim Patrick.
Surtain had several tightly contested pass breakups on the day throughout Saturday’s practice.
Opposite of him, Darby snagged a Russell Wilson pass intended for Sutton and returned it for a pick-6.
On the play, Sutton slipped at the top of his route on a blistering afternoon day, which allowed Darby to make a play on the football.
Outside of Darby and Surtain, rookie Damarri Mathis and Bless Austin had solid days with tightly contested pass coverage.
A Broncos rookie makes big plays
The Broncos’ fifth-round rookie wide receiver out of Samford University had several splash plays on Saturday.
Earlier in practice, Washington caught one pass across the middle of the field and quickly turned it up the right sideline.
After securing the catch, his speed was on full display, switching on another gear to run past various Broncos defenders.
Following Wilson’s interception to Darby, he came right back and found Washington deep downfield for a touchdown, getting behind K’Waun Williams and the rest of the Broncos’ defense.
As K.J. Hamler continues to work his way back from ACL/hip surgery, Washington could see some meaningful reps throughout the preseason and potentially into the regular season depending on Hamler’s progress.
D.J. the disruptor
It’s hard to evaluate various position competitions involving the offense and defensive lines without the physicality of wearing pads.
However, one player stood out on the defensive interior by creating consistent penetration.
D.J. Jones, the Broncos’ key off-season acquisition on defense showcased several reps against the offense where he was able to penetrate inside, causing disruption to the rhythm of the Broncos offense.
Jones’ presence on the interior could have big implications for the Denver defense against the run and in pass-rushing situations this season.
Broncos News and Notes
The Broncos continued to work with two punters during Saturday’s practice with veteran Sam Martin and Corliss Waitman each getting reps during the team’s special teams period.
Waitman had one punt that saw a hangtime of 5.06 (thanks to our good friend Andrew Mason) allowing the Broncos coverage unit to get downfield to contain the returner. Martin also had a hangtime best of 4.93.
It’s unclear at this point if there is any competition at punter, but it is something that is worth monitoring.
On Montrell Washington’s touchdown reception from Russell Wilson, cornerback K’Waun Williams pulled up during the play and would go on to be evaluated by the Broncos medical staff.
After practice, head coach Nathaniel Hackett said that the team will continue to evaluate Williams.
Besides D.J. Jones constant pressure against the Denver offense, Nik Bonitto and Baron Browning each had several reps where they disrupted quarterbacks on their dropbacks, forcing them to tuck it and run.
The team will be off on Sunday and will return to the practice field on Monday for the continuation of training camp.
As preseason inches closer, the Denver Broncos will throw on the pads beginning Tuesday in preparation for their Aug. 13 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.