Simmons wants Denver to keep focus on Eagles
Stop celebrating wins over Washington and Dallas and don’t look ahead to next week’s vacation plans.
Narrowing it down, that was the message from Broncos safety Justin Simmons and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday.
Beating Philadelphia (3-6) on Sunday would send the Broncos into the bye at 6-4; lose to the Eagles and the Broncos are back at .500.
“Just like how you can’t get caught up in the losses and what people are saying, it’s the same thing — you can’t get caught up in the wins and people patting you on the back,” Simmons said. “It’s a fine line week-by-week of going 1-0. This is going to be a really good test for our team. We need to empty the tank these next five days and hit the bye (at) 6-4. That’s what’s important.”
Bridgewater said the tune-outthe-noise approach during the
Broncos’ four-game losing skid also applies during the current two-game winning streak.
“When you take the cheese and you believe all the things being said, it can blow your head up and you feel like you’ve arrived and we learned a huge lesson early in the season,” he said. “We have to make sure we’re locked in and prepare the same way we did these last two weeks.”
Nine players sit out. A seasonhigh nine Broncos did not practice Wednesday; the previous high mark for a Wednesday was four in Week 5.
The full list: Defensive lineman Mctelvin Agim (knee), left tackle Garett Bolles (knee), defensive tackle Shelby Harris (NON-COVID-19 illness), right tackle Bobby Massie (ankle), tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (knee), outside linebacker Malik Reed (hip), safety Caden Sterns (shoulder) and cornerback Pat Surtain II (knee).
Coach Vic Fangio said Bolles has a “less than 50-50 chance,” of playing Sunday. Massie is not expected to play, leaving a starting tackle tandem of Calvin Anderson (left) and Cam Fleming (right).
Four Eagles defensive starters did not practice: Tackle Javon Hargrave (shoulder), end Josh Sweat (concussion), safety Rodney Mcleod (neck) and cornerback Darius Slay (hamstring). Nickel back Avonte Maddox (knee) also sat out.
Fant returns. Left guard Netane Muti and tight end Noah Fant returned to practice for the first time since testing positive for COVID-19. Muti has missed the last two games and Fant missed the win over Dallas.
Rookie cornerback Mac Mccain, who started the season on the Broncos’ practice squad, was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia. Safety Duke Dawson was signed to the practice squad after clearing waivers.