The Denver Broncos kicked off their first training camp practice at the Centura Health Training Center on Wednesday to ramp things up ahead of Friday’s first open practice to the public.
Many new faces were in attendance as the team took the field on Wednesday. New additions included veteran outside linebacker Frank Clark, kicker Brett Maher, and newly signed wide receiver Nick Williams.
Wednesday’s practice was Clark’s first introduction to how the Broncos will proceed this season on the field, and he got to work right away fitting into the Broncos’ defensive mix. He’ll be wearing #55 this season.
Earlier this week, the team announced wide receiver Kendall Hinton and outside linebacker Baron Browning were placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list. Wide receiver KJ Hamler and defensive tackle Mike Purcell went on the NFI (non-football injury) list.
Clark will spend most of his time starting the season at outside linebacker opposite Randy Gregory.
Hinton, Browning, and Purcell were in attendance during Wednesday’s practice but were not participants. Each player saw time over on the team’s side field, where they worked with medical staff.
Rookie second-round wide receiver Marvin Mims and rookie center Alex Forsyth also spent time on the side field working with trainers.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that Mims was a limited participant and will likely transition back to a full participant next week after having a hamstring issue pop up recently during a workout.
“He’ll be full probably in about four or five days, maybe a week,” Payton said. “It’s not the same hamstring, it’s something from a workout more recently.”
Despite there being no pads or contact, the tempo for the practice was quick, where players received a large volume of reps inside the limited time they were allowed on the field.
“The tempo was what we were looking for today,” Payton said. “What will gradually change is time out on the field, the amount of periods. This on-ramp, this was a quick practice from start to finish. But hopefully, the tempo is something that you would say you get used to seeing, and you saw some of it today. I think that’s something that’s been really important to us relative to how we practice offensively and then what it forces the defense to do as well.”
This approach dates back to how the Broncos practiced during OTAs and minicamp. Payton’s approach demands efficiency from the offense, getting in and out of the huddle, diagnosing the defense, and executing the play. Broncos quarterbacks will ensure this emphasis is mastered throughout camp and the preseason.
Denver Broncos not presently looking to add defensive line depth after Uwazurike suspension
After the NFL suspended second-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, the overall depth of the Broncos’ defensive line faces various question marks. As it currently stands, Denver has Zach Allen, Matt Henningsen, Jonathan Harris, Jordan Jackson, Elijah Garcia, Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi, D.J. Jones, Mike Purcell, Tyler Lancaster, and PJ Mustipher rounding out the Denver Broncos depth on the defensive line for training camp.
Payton touched on whether or not the team is looking at adding any outside depth for camp, noting that they’ll always keep their eyes open.
“I think in all camp long, we’re constantly paying attention,” Payton said. “We worked out receivers yesterday. That never stops, but we’re training with who we have right now.”
There are several veteran free agent options on the market, including Yannick Ngakoue, former Bronco Shelby Harris, Jadaveon Clowney, Robert Quinn, and Akiem Hicks to name a few options.
The Broncos’ scouting and pro-personnel department likely have their eyes on potential contingency plans if the team suffers an injury on the defensive line. Still, all signs indicate they will proceed with the group they have.
What’s next?
The Denver Broncos will return to the practice field on Thursday at the Centura Health Training Center.
