Day 6 of Broncos Camp is in the books, and it was a day in the shells (shoulder pads/shorts) after three straight padded practices. They have two more practices this week before a day off on Sunday, before they’ll start preparing for their preseason opener next weekend.
Another #BroncosCamp work day @SuttonCourtland x @duvalpat3 pic.twitter.com/nXDQ2i74Sk
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 31, 2025
Today, we have an injury scare for linebacker Dre Greenlaw, the offense having a better day, two backup running backs stringing together multiple
good practices, injury updates, news and notes, tweets from camp, notable quotes, and more!
Greenlaw Injury Update
Early in practice, linebacker Dre Greenlaw pulled up short in a one-on-one drill and tried to walk off an injury. However, he would later jog to the locker room with trainers trailing him. Obviously, this led to concern and speculation, but according to Head Coach Sean Payton, the Broncos veteran linebacker should be fine.
Sean Payton says he thinks Dre Greenlaw will be alright. Wasn’t his quad. Sean motioned toward his hamstring and said Dre felt it tighten up so they will do all of the testing but he reiterated Dre should be fine. Big sigh of relief. @KOAColorado #Broncos
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 31, 2025
Payton mentioned it was not the same quad injury he suffered in the offseason and said it was more to the hamstring. He indicated that Greenlaw felt it tightened up and that they’ll do all the testing, but again, he should be okay.
“No, I think he’s fine. In the one-on-one period, he felt it got tight, a different area, and so we’ll know more. We’ll go ahead and have all the precautionary work done, but I think he’ll be all right.”
The Broncos dodged a bullet.
Greenlaw has looked excellent in camp, is in great shape, and they have suffered multiple injuries to the linebacker position already. Now, Greenlaw will likely miss some time due to this soft tissue injury, but it won’t be the end of the world.
This will mean more significant snaps for linebacker Levelle Bailey, Justin Strnad, and others. Payton told reporters that giving these players extra snaps is important because you do not want to see a player you let go excel elsewhere.
“I don’t think, well, and I say this respectfully… I read somewhere where it was like injury plague. [ILB] Alex [Singleton] is back here in six days. So I think obviously other guys step up and get those reps, but knock on wood, fortunately, we’ve been good here during this camp, but it gives us a chance to evaluate other players. And so you’re seeing [ILB Levelle] Bailey, you’re seeing the reps. [ILB Justin] Strnad obviously had a ton of work, but you do get a chance. And throughout these drills, we’re trying to rotate it enough so that we are getting the proper evaluation on these younger players, which is important. Our biggest fear would be that someone leaves here and ends up excelling somewhere else. And so we want to make sure we don’t let that happen.”
With Greenlaw, Singelton, and Sanders sidelined for at least the short term, these young players will have an opportunity to prove themselves to the Broncos coaches. Bailey already has and could continue his ascension up the depth chart and potentially into having a role on the Broncos' defense.
Offense Strikes Back
After the defense dominated the first handful of padded practices, the Broncos' offense had a better day during today’s practice in shells.
Team Red Zone…
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 31, 2025
Bo Nix hits Courtland Sutton for a 10-yard TD and then boots to the right to find RJ Harvey for a 5 yard TD in the front corner of the end zone.
Jarrett Stidham pass to Adam Trautman for a walk in TD from about 12 yards out and then connects with Pat Bryant for…
During the red zone period to end practice, Bo Nix found wide receiver Courtland Sutton for a 10-yard touchdown pass, followed by finding rookie running back R.J. Harvey in the corner of the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown. Earlier in the practice, Nix would hit rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant for a 25-yard pass on 3rd and 4. He would then find tight end Evan Engram, who will be a big part of this offense, for a short gain. Nix also had two touchdown passes to wide receiver Marvin Mims and tight end Caleb Lohner during the 7-on-7 drill at the beginning of practice.
It was not a fully padded practice, but still good to see the offense have some success after the defense had been the winners the last few days. On Saturday, the team will have a practice with more of a scrimmage format and that will be a true test for both sides of the team.
If you recall, a year ago on this Saturday, we set up a much different type of practice, and it’s kind of a scrimmage format, and yet we’ll mix who’s going against who. And even within the rotations, if you’re really watching, these receivers might be taking reps with the second wave, and they may be taking reps with the first wave just based on the routes that were just running and getting. So it’s a little bit easier to keep track of if you’re looking at the offensive line or if you’re looking at the defensive front. But we’ll try to mix that up, and Saturday will be a day where you’ll see that change a little.”
That will probably be the most noteworthy practice they have prior to the joint practices prior to their preseason games. So, we’ll see who stands and who doesn’t.
Estime and Watson Impressing
All eyes are on J.K. Dobbins and R.J. Harvey, but the Broncos' depth at running back has been standing out in recent practices. Both Audric Estime and Blake Watson have had solid practices lately and are pushing for a spot on the Broncos' 53-man roster.
Sean Payton said a lot will go into how many running backs Broncos keep. Mentioned how Estime and Watson had very good days yesterday in pads.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 31, 2025
After practice, Payton was asked how the running backs have looked thus far through camp and he singled out both Estime and Watson as players who have stood out recently,
“They had a real good day yesterday. Good question. I mean look, a lot will go into it. How many are you keeping? Practice squad? [RB Tyler] Badie had some real good work. And obviously [RB] Jaleel [McLaughlin], so I think I said this at the start of camp from experience, a lot of that stuff will sort itself out and I think I said this, when we finish playing New Orleans, we’ll have a better idea of how that’s going and you’ll have seen more evidence in the games, the joint practices. All of this stuff matters. Yesterday was one of the better days for some of those guys, and you brought up two of them, and [RB] Blake [Watson] had two or three exceptional runs. [RB] Audric [Estime] was stacked a couple of days. So it will be the body of work.”
He stated that Watson had two or three exceptional runs on Wednesday, while Estime had stacked a couple of good practices. Both need strong camps if they want to make the team, so that is good to see.
With that said, he also praised Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin seems like the favorite for the RB3 job right now, so we’ll have to see how things shake out moving forward.
Injury Report
- WR A.T. Perry remained on the PUP list and missed today’s practice
- LB Alex Singleton remained sidelined with a broken thumb, but was on the sideline with a cast on his hand. He is expected to return sometime next week. - Source
- WR Devaughn Vele returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday’s practice - Source
- Rookie edge rusher Que Robinson sat out his second straight practice - Source
- LB Dre Greenlaw jogged to the locker room with trainers after a one-on-one drill vs. RB J.K. Dobbins. Greenlaw pulled up short and tried to walk it off before jogging to the locker room - Source
- It was reported that the Broncos placed UDFA edge rusher Johnny Walker Jr. on the season-ending IR and signed linebacker Garrett Nelson - Source
- Sean Payton announced that Saturday’s practice will be more of a scrimmage format - Source
- UDFA WR Joaquin Davis is turning heads, and according to Andrew Mason, he has “Velcro Hands”, a great wingspan, a long stride, impressive vertical, and great speed. He could be a hidden gem for the Broncos after some development - Source
- CB Pat Surtain II had a near INT of QB Bo Nix - Source
- IDL Eyioma Uwazurike is reportedly having an impressive camp and had a tipped pass today - Source
- Not a shock, but all signs point to TE Evan Engram being a key part of this offense - Source
- TE Adam Trautman told reporters that the offense is committed to being an outside zone team - Source
Tweets From Camp
Caleb Lohner is tall and athletic pic.twitter.com/XpS4uLHLBE
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 31, 2025
Bo Nix hit Marvin Mims for a 15-yard touchdown during the first pass of 7on7.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 31, 2025
Joaquin Davis, if the Broncos can give him time, could really be something special. The ball just sticks in his hands. Like Velcro when it hits. His wingspan, his stride, his vertical, his speed … man, this dude has some tools. The @NCCU_Football product has got serious…
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) July 31, 2025
Audric Estime has visibly popped at #Broncos camp the last few days.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) July 31, 2025
Mixture of really nice outside + inside carries, has caught the ball out of the backfield a few times, just has looked a lot more powerful/explosive than offseason + start of camp
Outstanding pass by Bo Nix to Pat Bryant down the right sideline for 25+ yards during team. Pass rush forced him out of the pocket to his right and he rifled it to Bryant downfield for a big gain. Nix then followed that up with a completion to an open Engram on a crosser for…
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 31, 2025
Day 8 of #Broncos Training Camp thoughts…
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) July 31, 2025
-Vele back, looked good
-Greenlaw jogged to the locker room after pulling up during a 1-on-1 drill vs Dobbins
-Better overall day for the offense (without pads) including 5 TDs during end of practice Red Zone
-Can’t overstate Evan…
Sean Payton is in favor of the NFL’s new kickoff rule on touchbacks to the 35-yard-line. Broncos happen to have an All-Pro returner in Marvin Mims.
— Luca Evans (@bylucaevans) July 31, 2025
“I think it benefits us based on our talent, our returners, our coaching.” pic.twitter.com/GEzTDSzr8c
New Broncos WR Trent Sherfield Sr. is a BIG fan of his QB Bo Nix
— KOA 850 AM & 94.1 FM (@KOAColorado) July 31, 2025
️ “He’s way ahead. He’s a phenomenal player. Love playing with him.”
#KOABroncosCamp sponsored by @ChevronColorado pic.twitter.com/OBamwKTNlW
Notable Quotes
HC Sean Payton on how pleased he has been with the team’s energy, and if the focus matches the energy
“I just said this to them, there are certain goals you have as a team, and there appears to be the right mix of youth and then some veteran leadership, and all 32 teams start the season with the same aspirations and goals. So what separates yourself from those other teams? I think it’s those ingredients, and it gets back to who we’re bringing in, who we’ve drafted, and you’re finding guys that want to play at a high level, and they understand that it’s not easy to do. We can write down our goals and dreams, and we can recite them, and then you have to live them. I think I’ve been encouraged relative to the leadership and the direction following last season, a lot of young guys played, and I’ve said this before, I like this team.
HC Sean Payton o how the vision for RB Jaleel McLaughlin is evolving
“I think he [RB Jaleel McLaughlin] continues to work on the passing game element relative to what he does. I think he’s a change-of-pace runner. He’s got really good quickness and agility. You don’t get to appreciate him until it’s tackle, and then you appreciate him because he didn’t get tackled. It’s a little harder. I can remember the first time in San Francisco where we’re thinking this is going to be a good young practice squad developmental back, and a hundred some yards later. He’s not going to get to any practice squad. So I think you appreciate, and it gets back to that position, you get to see a little bit more when it’s tackle and their yards after contact. How do they go down all those other things.”
HC Sean Payton on how unique DL Zach Allen’s versatility is
“I think it’s a strength. I am not making the comparison relative to the positions they play. [Saints DE] Cam Jordan plays a different position, but Cam had the unique ability on play 72, it looked like play eight. And I’d say [DL] Zach [Allen] has that stamina and that cardio where he’s in great shape. But when you look at the tape, it’s hard to play on the offensive and defensive front, especially the defensive front. A lot of snaps like that, and it’s one of his strengths and the versatility.”
Sean Payton on how he feels about the new kick-off rule
“I think I was in favor of the 35, and because I think there were teams still taking the approach that we will defend the 30-yard line as a starting point. The kickoffs and the play itself and the returns spike way up regardless. So yeah, I think that it’s hard as a coach to say, I’m comfortable with them starting on the 35-yard line. I’m going to want to defend that field position. I think it benefits us based on our talent, our returners and our coaching. We feel like we’ll benefit from that, and we’re all a little bit smarter or more experienced relative to how those returns begin to look from this time last year.”
NT D.J. Jones on the defensive line strengthening its depth
“Bringing him [DL John Franklin-Myers] was the last piece of the puzzle. We have myself, [DL] Zach Allen, [DL] John Franklin-Myers–as he likes to be called—[DT] [Malcom] Roach is the sixth man of the year. It’s a group that I don’t think anyone would not want to be on. I love coming to work every day just being with them.”
NT D.J. Jones on what DT Malcom Roach brings to the field
“I don’t talk much. I don’t talk when I’m on the field, but he [DT Malcom Roach] gets me going. Whether it’s just communication of the play or just chirping someone else and it fires me up and gets me going. I’m ready to go regardless but there are different levels to it. He brings it for everybody.”
TE Adam Trautman on how Head Coach Sean Payton builds a successful roster
“I think the biggest thing was yesterday’s practice. I’ve felt it before here, but that was like, ‘Oh yes. We’re ready for this.’ All the expectations and everything. Yesterday’s practice was the best practice I’ve been a part of in my three years here and that’s ever since [Head Coach] Sean [Payton] got here. I think we are trending in the absolute right direction and guys are completely bought in. Obviously right now we’re going through the grind of it, especially with six [practice days] in a row here. Guys are bought in and we’re ready to go.”
TE Adam Trautman on TE Caleb Lohner’s development
“I definitely know the… This isn’t arrogant, but I know the offense the best in our room. I’ve been in it my entire career. So generally I’m the guy that people come to to ask questions about certain plays. I’ve helped him a lot. He’s very curious. Obviously he hasn’t played much football. That’s real. That’s not shade, he just hasn’t. He’s asking the right questions, participating in meetings really well. He has flashes of things and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty darn good.’ So it’s just getting him to do it consistently. Obviously he’s super young, and he’s brand new to football for the most part. He’s coming along really well.”
TE Adam Trautman on the run game
“We’ve tweaked some things. I think we’ve always wanted to be kind of an outside zone team and we’re just kind of committing to it. All the backs—it’s not just the new guys—everyone’s doing a really good job. [RB] J.K. [Dobbins] brings some stuff to him. It’s really awesome to see. [RB] RJ [Harvey] is doing really well, [RB] Audric [Estime], [RB] Jaleel [McLaughlin], ‘T.B.’ (RB Tyler Badie), [RB] Blake [Watson], everybody. That room’s going to be exciting.”
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