Day 6 News and Notes from Broncos Camp

Day 6 of Denver Broncos training camp is in the books, and it was a less physical practice than the ones they have had in previous days. That was mostly due to them being out of pads, after three straight padded practices, and in shells. The pads go back on likely Saturday when they have a scrimmage and expect the intensity to ramp back up then.

The big story coming out of this practice was updates on the Broncos’ injured players. Thankfully, we have good news to report. Star WR Jaylen Waddle should be back in “4 or 5 days”, Nik Bonitto returned to the field on a limited basis, Courtland Sutton is just getting some load management, and Luke Wattenberg didn’t practice, but was once again present for practice. So, while the team might be a tad bit banged up, thankfully, they are just dealing with some minor stuff right now.

In today’s camp report, we have second-year wide receiver Pat Bryant thriving while Waddle and Sutton are sidelined, cornerback Jahdae Barron has his best practice of camp, more about Courtland Sutton’s load management, news and notes, injury updates, tweets from camp, quotes and more

Pat Bryant thrives while Waddle and Sutton are sidelined

With star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle sidelined for “4 to 5 days” and Courtland Sutton going through load management, the Broncos were down their top two wide receivers for today’s practice. This gave a pretty big opportunity for the wide receivers battling for the WR3 job, and according to reports, second-year wide receiver Pat Bryant thrived.

He was beginning to stand out late last season and has carried that momentum into the offseason and now into training camp. As Ryan Edwards stated above, Pat Bryant is making plays every damn day and looks like the clear WR3 to him.

After practice, cornerback Riley Moss was asked how difficult it has been covering Bryant during training camp so far. He told reporters that Bryant is really good vertically, and he makes his releases look all the same. He added that he is strong at the catch point, he can get up, and he has a big frame.

“He’s really good vertically and he makes his releases look all the same, which is tough for a guy like me. When he’s shooting 15 yards deep and then he’ll cut in or he’ll cut out, it all looks the same. He does a great job. Then at the catch point, he’s strong. He can get up. He has a big frame.”

From the start, I always believed Bryant was the favorite to be the WR3 for this offense. We saw him elevate his game late last season; he has great hands, gets open, blocks, and simply makes plays. He may not have the speed of Mims or Franklin, but he is the better all-around wide receiver.

I would still have him as the favorite, but Mims sure has been making a strong push for snaps and touches as well. Franklin has had a quieter camp thus far, and will need a strong push to enter the conversation, it seems. We are only a week into camp so a lot can and probably will change moving forward.

Jahdae Barron has his best day of camp

For those anxiously awaiting an update on 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron, we have one today. After having a fairly unspectacular start to camp where he hasn’t done anything noteworthy, good or bad, the talented corner had his best practice of camp today.

The Denver Post’s Luca Evans tweeted out that Barron had a “really nice day at Broncos Camp”. He added that Barron snuffed out a screen pass to Pat Bryant, nearly lit Bryant up during a play, and just had a PBU. He later tweeted out that Barron won 3 reps in a row when asked if he has won a rep at all during camp.

So, not the most exciting update, but still good to see Barron playing well out there when many fans and media were starting to panic about him. The pads were off, which should be noted, but hopefully he can start stacking positive days together and really flip the narrative surrounding him right now.

After practice, cornerback Riley Moss was asked about Barron, and he told reporters that Barron has become more patient. He noted that he has played dime, nickel, and outside, and the job description for all three are a bit different. He says his eyes have gotten a lot better, he’s athletic, and that it takes time to get used to the outside but that he has been progressing well.

I think the talk of Barron pushing Moss and/or McMillian for a starting job is dead for now, especially with the way Moss has been performing thus far. However, the fact he had a good day and seems to be developing and progressing well is good news. He will need to finish camp and the preseason strong to quiet the noise outside the building, but this is a positive first step.

Courtland Sutton is healthy despite sitting out practice

The mystery around Courtland Sutton’s absence appears to be solved.

Over the past two days, veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton did not participate in practice. He was present, but out of pads and on the sideline. Head Coach Sean Payton has continued to say it was just a rest day for him, but it is typically uncommon to see a player miss back-to-back practices with rest being the reason why. So, some speculated that maybe he was quietly dealing with an injury, but Payton dismissed that and told reporters Sutton would be present at today’s practice. Well, today came and Sutton did indeed participate early on, but spent most of the day on the side field, which reignited the injury talk and even some potential trade talk from some online conspiracists.

After practice, Payton once again dismissed the injury talk and continued saying it was based on their protocol.

Then we heard from the man himself.

Courtland Sutton met with the media and confirmed it’s about “load management”, even though they both don’t want to use that term, and it’s being done to keep Sutton fresh and healthy for an entire 17-game schedule and the playoffs.

Sutton told reporters that he is “indubitably healthy” and being a “good soldier” with the Broncos’ rest plan for him, whether he likes it or not.

When asked if he understands the benefits of these rest days, Sutton told the media that he is just being a good teammate and will do what’s best for the team.

“I feel like ‘load management’ is like that basketball term. That’s what they talk about with basketball and everyone is like… I wouldn’t [call it] that, I think it’s just being a good teammate and being a good player in terms of player-coach relationship. I try to do the best that I possibly can to put myself in the best position. If they come to me and say that’s what they need from me, whether it’s… You guys have been around it for a long time. I’ve been able to talk to you guys for a long time and I love to work. Whenever I get the opportunity to, I do. If they come to me and say, ‘Hey look, based on what we’ve seen in terms of the numbers that you’ve put out on catapult, we need you to do this,’ I’ll say, ‘Alright, let’s do that.’ That’s what you guys ask of me and that’s what I’m going to do. I appreciate them being transparent with me in what they see because I don’t go in there and say, ‘What are my numbers looking like?’ And then try to have these meetings. They come to me and we’ve have that conversation and I try to do what’s best for the team and work to do what’s best for the team.”

If you read between the lines, it sure sounds like Sutton isn’t excited about this rest plan for him, but it makes sense. The Broncos had a long season last year; Sutton is on the wrong side of 30, and he apparently was wearing down late in the season last year. A veteran like him doesn’t need to go to every practice, so it makes sense to save his body and legs for when it matters during the season and into the playoffs.

With that said, Sutton is a competitor and he wants to be out on the field with his teammates. That’s a good mentality to have, and I am sure the Broncos decision makers want that attitude from him. So, I wouldn’t get too dramatic about this situation, as it seems like it’s truly a load management thing. The conspiracies about a potential trade or Sutton being unhappy with his contract are out there, but I am not buying them right now.

This will be something to monitor moving forward, but I don’t anticipate anything coming from this.

Injury Report

OL Nick Gargiulo remained on the PUP due to a knee injury he suffered last season and is expected to remain there through the start of the season

LB Jordan Turner remained on the NFI list for undisclosed reasons

Starting center Luke Wattenberg was present but did not participate during today’s practice

Veteran WR Courtland Sutton returned to practice - but he worked on the side and confirmed to reporters afterwards that he is healthy

UDFA rookie edge rusher Dasan McCullough did not practice for a second straight day

Star WR Jaylen Waddle did not practice today after leaving yesterday’s practice early - Sean Payton says he is dealing with a strain and is expected back in the next 4 to 5 days

Edge rusher Nik Bonitto returned to practice after sitting out yesterday’s practice - He limped off the field on Tuesday, but only ended up missing one practice - He did work on the side field after individual drills

TE Caleb Lohner continued to miss practice after undergoing offseason knee surgery

Veteran guard Ben Powers did participate during team drills today and simply had a vet day

WR Marvin Mims appeared to be in pain at the end of practice when Riley Moss fell on his arm, but according to DNVR’s Zac Stevens, Mims will be okay - Source

News and Notes

After three days of fully padded practices, the Broncos were in shells today

SB-winning and Ring of Famer Head Coach Mike Shanahan was present at today’s Broncos practice

Broncos worked out DE David Ebuka Agoha, DE Devean Deal, LB Jeremiah Moon, and LB Andre Carter - Source

RB RJ Harvey continues to thrive in the passing game

DL Matt Henningsen has thrived against the third-team offensive line

UDFA WR Kolbe Katsis has been standing out amongst his UDFA WR peers

Kicker Wil Lutz made a 70-yard field goal

UDFA WR Cameron Ross had a long touchdown during 7-on-7s from QB Sam Ehlinger

OL Alex Palczewski took 1st-team reps at LG while Ben Powers had a day off

QB Bo Nix hit WR Pat Bryant for a 15-yard gain with tight coverage during team drills

CB Riley Moss had another strong practice

Tweets from Camp

Quotes

HC Sean Payton on Broncos Ring of Fame Head Coach Mike Shanahan attending practice today and what he has learned from him

“I was telling the story, as a high school player in Illinois, you heard of Eastern Illinois, [College Football Hall of Fame Coach] Darrell Mudra. Then by the time I went to school there, [Broncos Ring of Fame Head Coach] Mike [Shanahan] was coaching. I don’t think he was in the NFL yet, I think that happened while I was at Eastern, but you always pointed to people, at a small school like that, that were having success. Then I’ve told the story the first time I was ever a young assistant, it was the first game here at our stadium [Empower Field at Mile High], the night before 9/11, Monday Night Football. I remember introducing myself, having a chance to talk to him and then over the years becoming pretty close. Then it was [former Cowboys QB Tony] Romo and then it was [NFL QB Jimmy] Garoppolo. He’s always been, for me, a really good resource, and we had that in common. We were both from the Chicagoland area, and went to the same college and then there were quite a few mutual acquaintances, people we knew.”

Head Coach Sean Payton on what Broncos Ring of Fame Head Coach Mike Shanahan thought of the new Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit

“He liked it. He had a chance to see it. I think the one thing he appreciated certainly was the history of it, and yet understanding it’s still about who’s in the building. We talked about all those teams in our league that have brand-new facilities that still haven’t been to a playoff game. It was good for him to see. I think one of the things that [Owner & CEO] Greg [Penner] and [Owner] Carrie [Walton Penner] did a great job of is throughout the building recognizing the lineage, and the history, and the tradition and those teams that can run together if you’re not really paying attention.”

Head Coach Sean Payton on if other players can learn from CB Ja’Quan McMillian

“I think so. I think when I see someone who’s really good at taking the ball away, I see football I.Q. Then someone who’s playing with good leverage. It’s easy to say, ‘Take it away,’ but sometimes if you’re not in a position, you’re just catching up, trying to make a tackle. So I think that he’s a great study. I think he’s a great study.”

HC Sean Payton on what he likes about CB Riley Moss’ mentality

“I think there’s a little grit and toughness. He can bury the last play. He knows he’s going to get a lot of traffic and attention. Yes, I like his toughness. I think it’s a tough position to play, and he doesn’t back down at all from that, his confidence doesn’t wane. That’s a really good trait.”

HC Sean Payton on where he wants to see QB Bo Nix improve

“He did a lot of things well. I think there are nuances within his game. I think we’re all collectively trying to start faster. If you looked at our first, call it first quarter versus fourth quarter. He does a very good job of avoiding the sack, the minus play. Then because of that, he’s very good with his progression. I mean, clean with it. He’s not someone who’s slow to progress and slow to process; it’s the other way. So there are sometimes where he’s through one so fast where one’s going to be... But I’d rather deal with that than the slow processor who’s getting sacked that doesn’t... He can get through a progression really fast. I’ll be honest with you, his movement that we’re seeing right now is back to where it was. There are a few plays where maybe he gets closed offers, but his health looks really good. You guys are watching it.”

HC Sean Payton on if he sees progress with QB Bo Nix’s quick feet

“He’s a real good foot athlete. You don’t feel someone who’s cumbersome at all. I think it’s one of his gifts. Within the framework of each pass play, the definement of a three [-step drop], three no hitch, one big, five and a hitch, some of those specifics that put him exactly in time with the depth of the route, I think is something I’m sure he’s working on.”

HC Sean Payton on RB RJ Harvey’s ability to play on third down

“I think that’s the biggest area these guys can begin to make a jump because it really is, it’s so different coming from college. [RB] Jonah [Coleman] has had more reps in protection in college, but RJ certainly is starting to see how we’re ‘miking’ the defense, where that puts him. Some of it is just what they come from, but I think he gives us a lot of versatility. There are three runners you all are looking at now and obviously more than just three. So they’re all trying to find their niche, and their roles with what they can do, but I know we’re a lot further along in that position group than maybe, well I know we are, than three years ago.”

HC Sean Payton on where RB RJ Harvey can improve on third down

“The technique’s one thing. I think that’s the easy part. The challenging part is the front, and the pieces, who the line’s going to, who are you left with. If you’re not careful, you just get left staring in the backfield, and you should be out. In other words, being able to get into the pattern, and then recognize where the pressure’s coming from and then how to see it. Usually those back-end safeties are going to move to where the pressure is coming from. All of that is part of it. I think the technique, if they have the stature, and he does, that part you can quickly polish up on.”

CB Riley Moss on not being timid after a negative play

“My parents have always told me this, I like to learn the hard way. It actually helps me out in those situations because yes they’re going to throw the flag because I’m being too aggressive, but even ‘VJ’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph) will tell me, ‘Keep going out there. Keep playing aggressive.’ It happens. I know I need to do better as a whole this season, and I have been. It’s been a big focus of this camp. I’m still going to play aggressive and not shy away from it.”

CB Riley Moss on what he is doing to try to create more takeaways

“Specifically, when I get those ‘go’ balls and stuff, I’m in great position and I was in great position for the most part the entire year last year. Now it’s turning my head and trusting my ability to go and play the ball because the receiver is also playing the ball. It’s just getting out of that habit of that man-to-man instead of just going out there and looking for the ball. It’s a hard habit to break, I won’t lie to you, but that’s why we’re out here practicing. It’s been a big point of emphasis for myself.”

WR Courtland Sutton on QB Bo Nix’s transition from rookie into his third year

“I think from rookie year to second year, I had made a comment about him being a lot more mature and knowledgeable than most rookies. And from our conversations from spring to this summer before we got here—and then even now—listening to his mindset, it’s ascending to another level. He was already in this very niche spot that a lot of guys don’t really find. Some people find it later in their career, some people never find it. But he’s in this spot where he’s understanding the game at such a different level. Now he has two years under his belt of seeing what defenses do, seeing what leverages are getting thrown at him, seeing what kind of blitzes and what kind of defensive schemes that guys are throwing at him. Listening to him talk and what he’s expecting from us, it’s been a lot of fun just picking his brain and teasing him a little bit. Just throw a little wrench at him every now and then. Just like, ‘What would you do in this situation?’ And of course he got an answer right away, always. But it’s been cool to be able to watch him go out there and grow and develop and having the camp that he’s having so far.”

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