Austin Fort was on the path to a roster spot.
At the very least, the tight end from the University of Wyoming would make the decision on who to keep a skosh more difficult. In seemingly every Denver Broncos training camp practice he shines. It was clear that Fort was confident. Then in a flash it was gone. He tore his ACL on a deep reception in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
On Friday’s Broncos Country Tonight with Ryan Edwards and Benjamin Allbright, the young tight end discussed what he learned from a lost season and trying to recapture his camp magic in a crowded tight end room.
“I’ve just gotta control what I can control and be the best that I can be,” Fort told the guys. “ Last year I was able to take what coach Wade Harman was giving me and just make strides. The competition definitely helps bring out the best in you, and all of us know that we’re not all going to be here when the final cut comes around. I’ve gotta be at my best and it’s going to be a really good camp for all of us.”
To make matters a little more difficult, Fort has to learn a new offense with Pat Shurmur the offensive coordinator. Throw in the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down OTAs and minicamp and that limits the chances for Fort to shine for the coaches and front office. Now the onus is on training camp even more.
The fact that Fort was able to do it once before, he knows what to do. He also has the right attitude to become a camp darling again in 2020.
Bonus listen
Our Joe Rowles joined the guys to discuss the how the new running back tandem of Melvin Gordon and Phillip Lindsay will work. They also talked about the future of Tim Patrick and DaeSean Hamilton and if 2020 is a make or break year for Bradley Chubb.