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Day six of Denver Broncos camp is in the books and it was a tough one injury wise. We have a potential serious injury to starting inside linebacker Todd Davis, K.J. Hamler sidelined for two weeks, Von Miller(GASP) dealing with a tweaked elbow and Melvin Gordon dealing with a tweaked rib injury as well. We also have Jerry Jeudy doing Jerry Jeudy things, a rookie linebacker who could see some playing time in 2020 and more!
Looking good. #BroncosCamp Day 6 highlights: pic.twitter.com/gK07hwL2Pp
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 20, 2020
Injuries begin to pile up
Heading into today’s practice, the Broncos have avoided the injury bug through their first five days of Training Camp. However, that all changed on day 6 of Broncos Camp when we saw one potentially serious injury to a starting defender, a rookie sidelined for two weeks, and two injuries to two more key players, including Von Miller.
Yikes.
Fangio said KJ Hamler out couple weeks with hamstring. He’s not sure about Todd Davis. Von hurt elbow; Gordon hurt ribs. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
First, rookie second round pick, wide receiver K.J. Hamler will be sidelined for two weeks with a hamstring injury. Those pesky injuries seem to get a few players a camp, so thankfully it’s only a minor injury and we’ll see the explosive rook on the field sooner rather than later.
Next we have Todd Davis who appears to have suffered a major injury during Training Camp for the second consecutive summer. He was carted off the field and many speculated achilles or ACL but thankfully it was “only” a calf strain. However, it’s the same injury he had last summer that sidelined him throughout camp and through the first handful games of the 2019 season. So, the severity will be telling here, but sounds like he’ll be sidelined for awhile
“KJ’s got a hamstring that he’s been trying to work through. He hadn’t been able to do that. He’ll be on the shelf for a couple weeks. Todd hurt his leg there. I wasn’t sure. It kind of happened towards the end of practice on the other side of the field from where I was at. I’m not sure yet. I don’t have anything to report there.”
Next, we have Von Miller and running back Melvin Gordon who suffered injuries as well. These seem a little more minor(hopefully) as Head Coach Vic Fangio stated that Von “tweaked” his elbow while Gordon “tweaked” his jobs.
“Von tweaked his elbow so we pulled him out. Melvin tweaked his ribs, so we pulled him out too. I don’t know the severity of either one.”
So, let us hope that these two are just dealing with some minors bumps and bruises and won’t miss much time if any. Both are receiving tests, so hopefully we get some good news sooner rather than later.
With K.J. Hamler down, look for DaeSean Hamilton to get more invovled but also don’t sleep on rookie Tyrie Cleveland who has been doing well reportedly. These two have appeared to separate themselves from the competition.
With Davis down for awhile, look for Josey Jewell to be elevated into a starting role, at least in running downs. He has been having a good camp according to onlookers so he’ll get his chance again this summer. Josh Watson is another player to watch here. However, rookie linebacker Justin Strnad is the guy to watch here. More on that later! (That’s a tease folks!)
Jerry Jeudy continues to make plays
Another day and another glowing Jerry Jeudy review. The rookie made some more impact plays today and when Drew Lock isn’t throwing to Courtland Sutton(He’s doing it a lot apparently) Jeudy is getting the rest and making it look easy out there.
Things we like to see:@DrewLock23 ➡️ @jerryjeudy for SIX! pic.twitter.com/ahUW5xz7iQ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 20, 2020
The Broncos coaching staff is trying Jeudy out in multiple roles to see where he’s best at it and what he can and can’t do and so they can get the best unit out there on game days.
“Right now, we’re teaching him all the sports for two reasons—one, find the best spot for him not only for him individually, but for us as a unit—what’s our best combination. Two, it’s always good to—guys need to know other spots because in the game when you’re only dressing four or five, when things happen, guys have to be able to know more than one position. It’s twofold.”
If you studied Jeudy at all during the draft process you will know he can lineup anywhere and make plays. He has the speed to go deep, the separation ability to get open no matter what, and excellent route running ability to be dangerous in the slot.
Versatility is key and injuries will unfortunately will happen so it’s good to see what he can do and give him some reps in these roles as well.
Speaking of Jeudy’s route running ability, Head Coach Vic Fangio was asked about this after practice today. He told the media that it was obvious Jeudy is a good route runner, but that he’ll need to adapt to beating press coverage's in the NFL. He continued by saying that Jeudy isn’t there yet as a pro but think he can achieve this.
“He is a good route runner. That was obvious watching his college tape. He’s got a good feel for it, but he’s going to have to be able to bring that up to the next level against press coverage and against various different coverages that he’ll see in the NFL. He’ll see more than he saw in college. He’s going to have to adapt that ability to bring it to the next level. He’s not there yet but think he should be able to.”
I think it’s clear that the Broncos at the very least have two stud young wide receivers on their roster who will be able to grow with a young quarterback, a young and explosive tight end and a talented backfield. It’s pretty exciting to see how much this group has improved just from this time last year.
Rookie Justin Strnad will see some playing time as a rookie
With Todd Davis going down for what appears to be an extended amount of time, someone will need to step up and replace the snaps he would be playing. Josey Jewell received those today and will likely continue getting them going forward, but don’t sleep on the rookie Justin Strnad.
Its looking more and more like 5th round rookie ILB Justin Strnad will get playing time this year. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Right now, I think we’ll see Jewell get the start and play running down for the Broncos, but it sounds like Strnad could see time in sub-packages his rookie year. He’s a rangy athletic linebacker who has the coverage chops to handle the role and is a player who will excel in space. He’ll experience growing pains obviously, but it seems like he’s getting these reps in practice.
9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis stated that it’s becoming obvious Strand will be getting some playing time this year. I assumed sub-package play was always in the cards for him, but with Davis down, it’ll be interesting to see if he can begin to push Jewell for an even larger role.
Yesterday, Vic Fangio was asked about Strand and had some positive comments about the rookie linebacker.
“I’ve liked Justin so far. He’s shown some ability both in the pass defense area—the run game, we haven’t had a lot of shots of it yet. The inside linebacker, just to piggyback on the previous set of questions, it’s a position that will suffer more than others with the lack of training camp time and the lack of preseason games. He’s got a lot of work. We have to speed up the process with him. Overall, I think he’s doing well. I like what I see. A lot of that is based upon just what I see which enables me to predict. You might not be seeing it on tape or you guys watching in practice live, but I like certain things that indicate to me that he’ll be able to do it eventually.”
Fangio isn’t one to hand out compliments like that, so when he praises someone, especially a rookie, it’s noteworthy in my book. So he’ll be a player to watch in the coming days for sure.
Fellow linebacker A.J. Johnson also had some glowing praise for the rookie as well. He told the media that while Strand is not perfect(and neither is he) that he’s looking smooth out there and that he’s glad the Broncos drafted him.
“He’s looking clean. Obviously, he’s running with the receivers, getting good drops, picking up the defense really fast. He’s looking really good. Obviously, it’s just three practices in so nobody’s going to be perfect. I’m not perfect. He’s not perfect, but so far he’s doing really well and looking really good. I’m glad we got him as a linebacker.”
The Davis injury sucks, and hopefully it’s not too serious, but it does add some more competition to watch during camp.
Injury Updates
- Inside linebacker Todd Davis was carted off the field with a potentially serious calf injury. No timetable has been given as of yet
- Rookie wide receiver K.J. Hamler has a calf injury and will be sidelined for two weeks
- Linebacker Von Miller tweaked his elbow and is going through tests
- Running back Melvin Gordon has a rib injury and is also going through tests
- Tight end Austin Fort remains sidelined for 4-8 weeks
News and Notes
- Rookie tight end Albert O. continues to show a nose for the ball in the end zone caught another touchdown during today’s practice.
- Rookie center Lloyd Cushenberry took some more first-team reps at center today but Patrick Morris started the day at center.
- Quarterback Drew Lock is targeting wide receiver Courtland Sutton early and often. Take notes fantasy football players!
Tweets from Camp
Pads are back on for today’s practice. Solid jams to start the day as well #BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/ZdyArU31Se
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) August 20, 2020
#Broncos @VonMiller and @astronaut leading the way in drills, per usual. Chubb is back today after planned rest on Wednesday #Denver7 pic.twitter.com/ZdFZjJAos7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
Its looking more and more like 5th round rookie ILB Justin Strnad will get playing time this year. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Red zone, ball at 15. Driskel to Albert O. TD. Easy #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Practice begins with a nice end-zone dime from Jeff Driskel to Albert Okwuegbunam, who gets his toes down in the back corner. Nice start for the rookie coming off what was probably his best practice Wednesday.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Attaochu sack on Driskel #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Offense scores in red zone twice and #Broncos @SuttonCourtland let’s @ReemBoi25 know it. “That’s two!” The intensity is good for practice. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
Lock with a strike to Courtland Sutton on a slant from the 10 for a TD to start his day.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
Lock to Sutton for a touchdown against the first-team defense.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Yiadom in coverage.
Out-on-a-limb prediction time: Courtland Sutton will catch A LOT of passes this season.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Out-on-a-limb prediction time: Courtland Sutton will catch A LOT of passes this season.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Patrick Morris making a return to starting Center early. #Broncos @KOAColorado
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 20, 2020
Really strong rush by Jurrell Casey to blow up another red-zone play.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
He's been borderline dominant inside. Clearly still has plenty left.
Shelby Harris gets a sack as Broncos bring blitz pressure up the middle. Jurrell Casey moving bodies in the middle.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
After Shelby Harris gets through the line for a would-be sack, Lock responds by throwing a TD pass to Jeudy.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Pretty even between both sides of the ball here early on.
Rypien to Fumagalli, whose had some catches in camp. RB Bellamy shows off outside speed #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Lloyd Cushenberry getting work with the 1s in the red zone.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
Lock scrambles for 5-yard TD. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
#Broncos offense with strong red zone showing. Players believed they scored five times. Might have been four. Regardless, group looked good #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
Lock to Sutton early and often this year in camp.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 20, 2020
A.J. Bouye had six interceptions during his Pro Bowl season in 2017.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
He's been around the ball a lot during training camp. Two consecutive days with an INT.
De'Vante Bausby with a great close to break up a pass intended from Tyrie Cleveland in 7-on-7. Continues to be a strong camp for the former undrafted player out of Pittsburg State.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Great catch from DaeSean Hamilton downfield on a well-placed ball from Rypien. Third-year WR adjusted midair to make the contested grab.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Rookies DL McTelvin Agim and LG Netane Muti had some good one-on-one battles. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Kareem Jackson is certainly let his voice be heard from the defensive sideline. Some fun, good-natured trash talk going back and forth today.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Air Sutton. #BroncosCamp | @SuttonCourtland pic.twitter.com/1SiFdKlhva
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 20, 2020
Bomb downfield from Lock to Jeudy. That was a beauty. Caught it in front of Justin Simmons. Got it off just as pressure was coming.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Jeudy just snagged a deep one from Lock. The impressive part was setting Simmons up. Sold it deeper. Stopped on a dime.
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) August 20, 2020
Simmons was reading player not ball.
Jeudy just gets the nuances of the position for beyond his years.
Screen to Lindsay, who stayed hidden behind big linemen well. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Bryce Callahan makes another play in pass coverage.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of training camp.
Phillip Lindsay has had a nice couple of catches out of the backfield.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Definitely an aspect of his game we could see more this season.
Phil Lindsay with a really nice catch on an out. Drew Lock ripped it because AJ Johnson was bearing down in coverage and Lindsay plucked it and turned it up into open space.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
Royce Freeman with a nice run as Broncos’ offense runs period with back against its own end zone. Cut back quick to his right and found crease for a big gain.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
Justin Strnad makes a play in the run game, then shows tight coverage on Jake Butt.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Butt caught the pass, but brought down immediately for a short gain.
Justin Strnad fills a gap during this same period and stands up Bellamy near the line of scrimmage. Then hits Jake Butt right as he catches pass on short out route. Nice sequence from the fifth-round rookie LB out of Wake Forest.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) August 20, 2020
A day after Fangio said nice things about LB Justin Strnad he is showing up all over the field. Just met Bellamy in the hole for a big hit and next play tackling Jake Butt in coverage on a shallow cross. Good day for the rookie. #BroncosCountry @KOAColorado
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 20, 2020
Rypien with dart to Cleveland. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
Todd Davis being helped off the field by trainers. Not putting much weight at all on one leg.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
Josey Jewell replaced injured Todd Davis #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) August 20, 2020
8 seconds left.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
Jeff Driskel and the second offense down 4.
26-yard line.
No timeouts.
Driskel hucks it up to the back of the end zone for Albert O.... Who brings it in the the game winner!
Lock throws a dime to Jeudy for a touchdown to end practice.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
Had connected with Sutton earlier in the drive.
23 seconds.
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
One timeout.
Down 4.
26-yard line.
Jerry Jeudy beats Bryce Callahan off the line and Drew Lock drops an ab-so-lute dime for the game-winning TD.
Perfection.
The Broncos are teaching Jerry Jeudy all of the WR spots “to find the best spot” for him and the team, per Fangio.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 20, 2020
Vic Fangio said he has seen "flashes" of the offense being explosive and being able to score without always needing long, extended drives.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 20, 2020
#Broncos Fangio said of Jeudy. "He's a good route runner. He has a good feel for it. Has to bring it up to the next level with the various coverages sees in the NFL. He's not there yet, but I think he should be able to." #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
#Broncos Fangio, "There is nothing wrong with a little trash talk as long as it doesn't lead to a fight. As a defensive coordinator, I was a pretty good trash talker myself." Jackson, Sutton and Lindsay have been getting after it. I personally like it. #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
Fangio on Tyrie Cleveland ”I’ve liked him so far, and what I’ve liked is he’s gotten a little better each day…hopefully he won’t level off and continue to improve.” #BroncosCountry #BroncosCamp @KOAColorado
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) August 20, 2020
Garett Bolles says it’s “huge” he gets work with Mike Munchak for a second season.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) August 20, 2020
It’s the first time he’s had the same offensive line coach for 2 years in a row in his career.
Garett Bolles on being booed: "Our fans are the best fans in the country and they deserve the best football here in Denver. It's unacceptable how I played... Nobody likes being booed so I did everything I could to get better this offseason."
— *RK (@RyanKoenigsberg) August 20, 2020
#Broncos @gbolles72 on @DrewLock23 "I think he's going to be a special QB in this league for many years. It's really nice knowing I have a mobile QB who can move. I am not perfect every play. We have a great offense. And Drew's doing everything can to lead this team." #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 20, 2020
Quotables
Head Coach Vic Fangio on his impressions of WR Tyrie Cleveland.
“I’ve liked him so far. What I’ve liked is I think he’s gotten a little bit better each day since he’s been here all the way back to the early group of training camp. I just think he’s gotten a little bit better and better each day. I like his demeanor. I like his work ethic. I think he’s a guy that will bring special teams value if he’s a guy that suits up on game day if he makes the team. I like where he’s at right now. Hopefully he won’t level off. Hopefully he’ll continue to improve.”
Head Coach Vic Fangio on how he is balancing getting the first team reps with evaluating who will make the roster and what players can do to impress the staff when not getting as many reps.
“We’re trying to get them enough reps. They’re not getting as much as the ones, but we think we’re getting them a good amount in the amount of time we can be out there. We’re trying our best there, but obviously they have to take advantage of every rep that they do get to execute it, know the assignment, play it with the right technique, then be able to finish it with talent. We’re cognizant of that problem that you are alluding to. I think we’ve had a good first week of camp as far as what we’ve been able to accomplish in practice. Then you look at well it’s really not the first week of camp because—it’s the first week of camp, but the end of the first week of camp is closer to the first game than normal. We just have to constantly play that fine line of getting the team ready also with getting enough snaps for everybody to evaluate because one of the most important things we have to do is pick the 53-man roster.”
Left tackle Garett Bolles on how being in his second season with Offensive Line Coach Mike Munchak has helped him.
“That’s huge for me. Me and Coach Munchak have a really great relationship. We talked regularly during practice, before the game, after the game, just trying to get me better. This is the first time in my career that I’ve had the same O-line coach for the second year in a row. I’m just looking forward to our relationship to continue to get better. I trust him. I believe in him. I know he believes in me. I just have to do whatever I can to make him know that he can trust me.”
Defensive lineman Shelby Harris on why he feels the defense can be successful this season
“You see the players we have? We have nothing but dogs on our defense. I’ve been saying this all year and I’ve been saying this all offseason. I feel like our defense is a dominant defense, and as a player, you have to have the utmost confidence in your team and in your defense. That’s why I was saying we’re going to be 16-0 until someone proves us wrong. As a player, you never go into a game thinking you’re going to lose. You think you’re going to win every one of them. With our defense, I feel like our defense is such a close-knit group of veterans and young guys mixed together. I see nothing but positive things happening for us this season.”