The Broncos’ final open practice of camp on Wednesday had the familiar camp ingredients: pads, contact, a little edge, and plenty to sort through before Friday night’s preseason matchup with the Green Bay Packers.
The biggest piece of news was Sean Payton’s plan for Bo Nix. Payton said after practice that the Broncos want Nix and the starters out there for 14 snaps on Friday. That could mean at least two series for the quarterback, unless he strings together one of those quick-strike opening drives and Payton decides he’s seen enough.
For Nix, the chance is overdue. He hasn’t played in a football game since fracturing his ankle against the Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of the playoffs this past January, and he sounded eager to get back when he spoke after Tuesday’s practice.
“I’m super excited. It’s always a blast to play at home," Nix said after Tuesday's practice.
"It’s great to get in front of our fans. It’ll be fun to get out there for the first time this year, put the pads on, and go out there and play a game.
For me, all the games feel the same, and so it’ll be good to get some work in.”
Nix’s return wasn’t the only quarterback-related storyline. After the defense got physical with him on Tuesday, the third-year quarterback responded with a productive day on Wednesday before the defense closed practice by stopping the first-team offense in the final two-minute situational period.
The day also brought more turnover chaos. Stidham was intercepted by Robinson, who jumped a pass under pressure and took it back for a pick-six that set off the defense. Taylor added a forced fumble after giving up a completion in coverage, and Abrams-Draine ended practice by picking off Sam Ehlinger.
On the offensive side, one of the clearest highlights came when Waddle beat Patrick Surtain II down the right sideline for a 60-yard touchdown during team periods, according to The Denver Post's Parker Gabriel. Waddle has been back at practice this week after missing more than a week, and the Broncos have been easing him back into team work. His snap count is still being managed, but the workload is trending up.
Nix quickly answered with another shot down the right sideline, hitting Engram for a 25-yard gain, per KOA's Ryan Edwards. Engram also had another strong catch from Nix later in the session, another hint of what offensive coordinator Davis Webb may have in mind this season. After practice, Engram talked about what Nix brings to the offense.
“You can’t really put words on that," Engram said. "Just the energy that he brings, the aura that he has and that he brings to the field-we’re all excited to see '10' back out there.”
There was still plenty going on up front, too. Center Calvin Throckmorton returned with a bandage over his left eye after leaving Tuesday’s practice with a bleeding forehead in the D-line vs.
O-line skirmish. He continued working as the first-team center with Wattenberg and Forsyth unavailable during team periods.
Wattenberg and Marvin Mims Jr. were both dressed and took part in individual drills again, but the Broncos sent them to the side field for team work. The team is being cautious with both players because of their importance to the 2026 plan, and it would not be a surprise if neither plays Friday night against the Packers.
There were also several notable absences. Forsyth, Bailey, Sanders, Bandy, and Lohner did not practice.
It was the third straight missed practice for Sanders, which could slow the momentum he had built this summer after missing the past two seasons because of injury. Bailey suffered a broken leg in the preseason opener and is likely headed for injured reserve, though that move has not been made yet.
Bandy has now missed about a week of practice and the first preseason game, while Lohner still hasn’t practiced since camp began after a "routine" clean-up procedure on his knee.
The defensive side had its own winners. Coleman caught a deep pass on a wheel route, showing off his hands and his ability to track the ball downfield.
Joly also flashed with a deep catch over the middle, but the play was wiped out by offensive pass interference. That was the second straight day he ended up in the losers column, even if the raw talent showed up again.
Ortega also had a rough moment with an aborted snap to Stidham, which stood out given how much the Broncos have had to rely on him at center this summer. And both Stidham and Ehlinger threw interceptions, giving the defense one more day to feel good about itself before Friday night arrives.
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