Player Attendance
Did not practice: Physically Unable to Perform list – OLB Baron Browning (knee). Non-Football Injury list – DL Mike Purcell (knee).
Frank Clark missed practice on Saturday, but head coach Sean Payton expects the veteran outside linebacker to be in attendance on Monday.
Defensive lineman D.J. Jones, safety Justin Simmons and outside linebacker Randy Gregory were in attendance but did not practice. Payton said Gregory tweaked his ankle while making an interception towards the end of practice on Friday, and the team wanted to be smart by giving him and Simmons some rest.
Newly-signed defensive tackle Forrest Merrill was practicing. Denver announced the signing of Merrill on Saturday while designating offensive lineman Yasir Durant was waived/injured in a corresponding move.
Top Play
Wilson ends practice in style: In what has been an inconsistent training camp for starting quarterback Russell Wilson, he arguably made his best play of the week. During the two-minute drills, Wilson dropped back and launched a 47-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to end practice. Wilson made a beautiful throw, while Jeudy ran a nice route to create separation from cornerback Damarri Mathis before catching the ball.
Thumbs Up
Red zone success: Wilson looked solid during the red zone period of practice. After defensive end Zach Allen batted down his first pass attempt, Wilson found Perine in the end zone for a touchdown. Later, Wilson maneuvered in the pocket before throwing a touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Johnson.
Wilson was even efficient during the 7-on-7 period, completing all of his passes.
Thumbs Down
More penalties: Once again, penalties were an issue for the Broncos during the two-minute drills. Center Lloyd Cushenberry was called for holding before left tackle Garett Bolles was flagged for a false start. On Friday, Payton was displeased after the offense picked up a pair of pre-snap penalties. Itap safe to say he wasn’t too happy seeing the flags thrown again on Saturday.
“We had penalty, penalty,” Payton said. “We are working through some of that. I want them to learn and understand the situations that arise in two-minute. The circumstances in two-minute (situations) can be a 100.”
Odds and ends:
• Kicker Elliott Fry went 7 for 8 on field goal attempts. He missed a 43-yarder before converting one from the 45.
• Cornerback Fabian Moreau made an impressive play during the red zone period. When quarterback Ben DiNucci lofted a pass in the back of the end zone to wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Moreau leaped and deflected the ball.
• Rookie inside linebacker Drew Sanders’ strength was on display during the 11-on-11 period. As wide receiver Michael Bandy was running on the outside, Sanders clotheslined him into the sideline for a loss of yards.
• Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper continues to show a nice burst off the edge. Breakout season loading?
• Even though Jeudy beat Mathis on the touchdown reception to end practice, Denver’s second-year cornerback had the upper hand during one-on-one drills. Jeudy managed to create a bit of separation on a go-route, but Mathis extended his arm at the last second to break up the pass attempt from Wilson.
Mathis said he has benefited from facing Jeudy and wide receiver Courtland Sutton in practice.
“They are two different receivers,” said Mathis. “Jeudy is more shifty and fast. Courtland has some of those traits too, but he has strong hands. I feel like itap a good mix going against a big receiver that can move and a small receiver thatap more agile.”
Sunday Schedule
The Broncos are off on Sunday after practicing for six straight days. The team will return to the field on Monday morning with no fans in attendance.
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