False starts galore during series from own one-yard line
Did not practice: Tight end Austin Fort (knee, sixth missed practice), TE Nick Vannett (concussion protocol, second missed practice) and WR KJ Hamler (hamstring, first missed practice).
Returned to practice: TE Noah Fant (illness) and CB Davontae Harris (knee contusion).
WR KJ Hamler (hamstring) has been shut down for a “couple of weeks” according to coach Vic Fangio.
ILB Todd Davis sustained a calf injury late in 11-on-11 work and was helped off the field.
OLB Von Miller (elbow) and RB Melvin Gordon (ribs) were taken out of practice as a precaution.
The Broncos finished practice with their best play. On a red zone pass from QB Jeff Driskel, rookie TE Albert Okwuegbunam made a leaping touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone and was able to stay inbounds.
DE Jurrell Casey vs. LG Dalton Risner. The wily veteran (Casey) against the up-and-comer (Risner) in 1-on-1 drills has been a good battle during camp.
WR Courtland Sutton. The defense has yet to find an answer for him in camp.
S Kareem Jackson’s enthusiasm. When he’s on the field, he’s chirping. When he’s off the field, he always positions himself inside the white lines and is chirping. It’s entertaining and breaks up the monotony of camp.
Goal-line execution. The Broncos ran plays from their 1-yard line for the first time this training camp and it didn’t go well. During QB Drew Lock’s first series, the offense had three false starts in a span of five plays, including FB Andrew Beck (which was called) and RB Phillip Lindsay (which wasn’t called). Injuries. They are bound to happen in a fully-padded practice, but the Broncos were fortunate up until Thursday. But WR KJ Hamler was shut down after Wednesday’s practice, ILB Todd Davis was helped off the field and OLB Von Miller and RB Melvin Gordon were taken out of practice.
• The Broncos practiced in full pads Thursday (67 snaps of 11-on-11 work).
• First period of 11-on-11: In the red zone, QB Drew Lock threw a dartof-a-touchdown to WR Courtland Sutton (CB Issac Yiadom in coverage) and also threw a TD to WR Jerry Jeudy. DE Shelby Harris beat RT Elijah Wilkinson for a “sack.” QB Jeff Driskel threw a touchdown to TE Albert Okwuegbunam and was “sacked” by OLB Jeremiah Attaochu.
• Second period of 11-on-11: Lock completed a pass to Jeudy on a deep over route behind S Justin Simmons. ILB Justin Strnad stormed through a gap to stop RB Royce Freeman behind the line of scrimmage.
• Third period of 11-on-11: This one was a backed-up situation from the Broncos’ 1-yard line. Driskel’s series began with a false start on OT Jake Rodgers, but three completions. Rypien threw a nice pass to WR Tyrie Cleveland on a comeback route.
• Fourth period of 11-on-11: Lock completed a pass to Sutton and his final throw was a touchdown to Jeudy against CB Bryce Callahan. One of Lock’s passes was batted down by DL McTelvin Agim. Driskel’s first pass was dropped by WR Diontae Spencer, but Spencer rebounded on the next play with a lunging catch against Yiadom. Driskel’s series ended with a nice tip-of-the-fingers catch by WR DaeSean Hamilton.
• Highlights from 7-on-7 for Lock: He completed three passes in each of his two series, finding five different players, including Sutton for a couple of big gains and RB Phillip Lindsay for a long play on a swing pass out of the backfield. Lock was intercepted by CB A.J. Bouye on an underthrown downfield pass intended for WR Tim Patrick.
• Highlights from 7-on-7 for Driskel and Rypien: Driskel had a rough first series in 7-on-7, which included a drop by WR Trinity Benson. TE Jake Butt also had a drop on Driskel’s second series, in which he completed three passes. Rypien had a solid day in the drill, including competitions down the field to WR DaeSean Hamilton and WR Fred Brown.
• The Broncos ran 35 reps of 1-on-1 pass rush/protection. At one point, the offensive line won five consecutive matchups. A good duel was RT Demar Dotson vs. Attaochu. Dotson went 2-1. LB Malik Carney used a spin move to beat rookie LT Hunter Watts, but Watts also beat OLB Derrek Tuszka. LT Garett Bolles got the advantage on OLB Justin Hollins even though Hollins jumped offside. DE Shelby Harris and C Lloyd Cushenberry split two matchups.
Practice.