Tag: Broncos news

Broncos fans, pundits react to Justin Simmons news on Twitter

Justin Simmons is signing a one-year deal with the Falcons. Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news.

Former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons is signing a one-year, $8 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Here’s a sampling of how Broncos fans and pundits reacted to the news on Twitter/X.

Simmons, 30, was released by the Broncos in March in a move that saved $14.5 million in salary cap space. Simmons is now set to return to Denver when the Falcons face the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, Nov. 17 in Week 11.

Simons entered the league as a third-round pick out of Boston College in 2016. He went on to record 30 interceptions in eight seasons with Denver, most in the NFL from 2016-2023. He also broke up 64 passes during his time with the Broncos.

A former team captain, Simmons was an elite player for Denver on and off the field. Simmons was active in the community and he will be missed by Broncos fans. The veteran safety will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome when he returns to Denver this fall.

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Broncos injuries: 2 players held out of Thursday’s practice

Broncos cornerbacks Art Green (concussion) and Levi Wallace (hamstring) were held out of Thursday’s practice.

The Denver Broncos had two players held out of practice on Thursday. Additionally, one player returned and one player left the session.

Broncos tight end Lucas Krull (toe) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session. Denver receiver Devaughn Vele went into the locker room with training staff during practice. Vele “checked out fine” after practice, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Broncos cornerbacks Art Green (concussion) and Levi Wallace (hamstring) were the only active-roster players not in pads on Thursday. After yesterday’s practice, coach Sean Payton indicated Green will sit out this week but will likely return for the team’s preseason finale next week.

“I don’t want to use the word a mild concussion, but the symptom scores are better for him,” Payton said of Green. “There’s a good chance that he won’t go this week and then we feel strongly he’ll be ready to go next week.”

In addition to injured players, the Broncos also held out cornerback Pat Surtain and defensive linemen Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Eyioma Uwazurike in their preseason opener. All four should play this week.

“[W]e have a number of guys that didn’t play in the game,” Payton said. “I don’t want to go through them all, but we feel somewhat positive that all of them will be involved this week and getting work against Green Bay.”

Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Broncos injuries: 4 players not practicing

1. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL; PUP)
2. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles; PUP)
3. CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
4. CB Art Green (concussion)

Denver will hold a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on Friday before a preseason showdown on Sunday night. The Broncos’ game against the Packers will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

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Ex-NFL coach Jason Garrett visits Broncos training camp

Former NFL coach Jason Garrett visited Broncos training camp on Thursday.

The Denver Broncos had a special guest at Thursday’s training camp, a former quarterback. Not John Elway. Not Peyton Manning.

Okay, okay, you already read the headline. It was Jason Garrett.

Garrett played quarterback in the NFL from 1989-2004, but many football fans today know him from his time as a coach. Garrett started his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and later worked his way up to offensive coordinator and then head coach.

Dallas did not renew Garrett’s contract when it expired in 2020 and he went on to serve as an offensive coordinator with the New York Giants from 2020-2021. So is he now returning to league on Denver’s staff? Probably not.

Garrett was a quarterback with the Giants from 2000-’03, overlapping with then-New York offensive coordinator Sean Payton (2000-’02). Payton went on to coach on Dallas’ staff from 2003-’05 and Garrett joined the Cowboys in 2007, one year after Payton became head coach of the New Orleans Saints.

Garrett now works for NBC’s Sunday Night Football and while the Broncos do not have any initially scheduled SNF games this year, Thursday was likely an opportunity for Garrett to reconnect with an old friend and do some prep on Denver’s roster ahead of the 2024 season.

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Ex-Justin Simmons teammate says safety is finalizing deal with Falcons

Su’a Cravens, who played for the Broncos in 2018, claims safety Justin Simmons is finalizing a deal with the Falcons.

Story update: Justin Simmons agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. See our original post below.

If a report from a former teammate can be trusted, free agent safety Justin Simmons has found a new home in the NFL.

Su’a Cravens, a former safety who played for the Denver Broncos in 2018, tweeted on Thursday that Simmons is “finalizing a deal” with the Atlanta Falcons. Another former teammate, cornerback Chris Harris, quote-tweeted the Cravens post. It’s unclear if Harris was confirming the report or merely reacting to the news.

Simmons, 30, was released by the Broncos earlier this year in a move that saved the team $14.5 million in salary cap space. Denver has since replaced Simmons with free agent addition Brandon Jones.

Simmons visited the New Orleans Saints last week and the Falcons this week. He is arguably the most notable free agent still available. If the Cravens report is accurate, the veteran finally has a new team after five months on the open market. Denver will host Atlanta in Week 11.

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Broncos injuries: 3 players return to practice

There’s good news on the injury front for the Broncos this week as three players returned to practice.

There’s mixed news on the injury front for the Denver Broncos going into the second week of preseason.

Broncos guard Ben Powers (ribs) had X-rays come back negative on Monday, but he did not practice Wednesday. Tight end Lucas Krull (toe) was also held out of practice.

Cornerback Art Green (head) has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and did not practice, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Meanwhile, Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto (back) returned to practice after sitting out the team’s preseason opener. Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and linebacker Justin Strnad (groin) also returned to practice.

Cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) remains sidelined. Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

We haven’t seen an update on the status of rookie guard Nick Gargiulo, who has been hindered by an undisclosed injury.

Broncos injuries: 6 players not practicing

1. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL; PUP)
2. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles; PUP)
3. CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
4. CB Art Green (concussion)
5. OG Ben Powers (ribs)
6. TE Lucas Krull (toe)

Denver will practice again tomorrow and then hold a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on Friday. The Broncos will then host the Packers in Week 2 of preseason on Sunday night.

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Broncos make two roster moves ahead of Packers preseason game

The Broncos re-signed linebacker Alec Mock and waived pass rusher Jaylon Allen.

The Denver Broncos made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday.

First, the Broncos signed inside linebacker Alec Mock. To make room for Mock on the 90-man offseason roster, Denver waived rookie outside linebacker Jaylon Allen in a second move.

Allen (6-3, 240 pounds) was waived with an injury settlement. He joined the team this spring as an undrafted rookie out of Memphis.

Mock (6-3, 240 pounds) originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent from the Air Force Academy on May 10. He was cut on June 20 and then re-signed on Aug. 6. The Broncos cut him again on Aug. 12 and have now re-signed him again on Aug. 14 after he cleared waivers.

In four seasons with the Air Force Falcons, Mock totaled 224 tackles, five sacks, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception returned 18 yards for a touchdown.

Denver will host the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 of NFL preseason on Sunday night. The game will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

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53-man roster prediction after Broncos’ first preseason game

Following the Broncos’ preseason opener, we have updated our 53-man roster prediction.

After defeating the Indianapolis Colts 34-30 on the road in their preseason opener on Sunday, the Denver Broncos are now set to host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.

Following the first game action of the summer, we have updated our 53-man roster prediction for the Broncos. This projection will also be updated after each of the team’s two remaining preseason games.

Denver will have to make especially tough decisions at wide receiver, running back and cornerback after preseason.

Denver has until Aug. 27 to trim the roster from 90 players down to 53. After finalizing an active roster, the Broncos can build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the roster moves on Broncos Wire.

Broncos 53-man roster prediction

Quarterback (2)

(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
  • Bo Nix
  • Jarrett Stidham 

For now, we have Stidham edging out Zach Wilson for the QB2 job based on his experience in Sean Payton’s offense. That could obviously change if Wilson finishes preseason on a strong note.

Running back (4)

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
  • Javonte Williams
  • Jaleel McLaughlin
  • Audric Estime
  • Blake Watson

The first three RBs listed seem to be locks. The toss-up is the fourth spot between undrafted rookie Blake Watson and veteran Samaje Perine. If the Broncos don’t think Watson would clear waivers to get down to the practice squad, Perine could become a cap casualty this summer.

Wide receiver (5)

(Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Courtland Sutton
  • Josh Reynolds
  • Marvin Mims
  • Troy Franklin
  • Devaughn Vele

It’s a very difficult decision to cut Tim Patrick, but Vele has impressed this summer and Patrick is 30 years old and coming off back-to-back serious injuries. The Broncos might be able to get Patrick down to the practice squad, and he could be elevated three times during the season. Injuries also happen during the year, so starting the season on the practice squad does not mean Patrick would have to spend the entire campaign there.

Tight end/fullback (5)

(Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Adam Trautman
  • Greg Dulcich
  • Lucas Krull
  • Michael Burton (FB)
  • Nate Adkins (TE/FB)

No surprises at tight end. Denver could use a difference-maker at the position when they make roster changes in 2025.

Offensive line (9)

(Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports)
  • OT Garett Bolles
  • OT Matt Peart
  • OG Ben Powers
  • OG Quinn Meinerz
  • C/G Luke Wattenberg
  • C/G Alex Forsyth
  • G/T Will Sherman
  • OT Mike McGlinchey
  • OT Alex Palczewski

It’s not ideal to cut a draft pick (Nick Gargiulo), but the Broncos have pretty good depth on the interior offensive line. Frank Crum could be a sleeper to upset one of the veterans for a backup tackle spot.

Defensive line (6)

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
  • Zach Allen
  • D.J. Jones
  • John Franklin-Myers
  • Malcolm Roach
  • Angelo Blackson
  • Matt Henningsen

The first four players are locks. Eyioma Uwazurike has a real chance to make the team after returning from his suspension, but he’ll need to impress in the final two preseason games.

Outside linebacker (5)

(Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
  • Baron Browning
  • Jonathon Cooper
  • Nik Bonitto
  • Jonah Elliss
  • Thomas Incoom

The top four seem to be locks and Incoom has impressed at camp.

Inside linebacker (4)

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
  • Alex Singleton
  • Cody Barton
  • Jonas Griffith
  • Justin Strnad

Cody Barton appears to have an initial lead over Griffith in the competition for a starting job. Justin Strnad remains a key special teams player.

Cornerback (6)

(Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports)
  • Pat Surtain
  • Ja’Quan McMillian
  • Riley Moss
  • Kris Abrams-Draine
  • Levi Wallace
  • Tremon Smith

Riley Moss seems to be a potential front-runner to start across from Pat Surtain. Kris Abrams-Draine was just drafted this year, Tremon Smith is a key special teams player and Levi Wallace is a veteran with plenty of starting experience. That could leave Damarri Mathis as a surprise cut.

Safety (4)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • P.J. Locke
  • Brandon Jones
  • Devon Key
  • JL Skinner

Following the departures of Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this year, it’s easy to pick four safeties from the remaining group.

Special teams (3)

(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
  • K Wil Lutz
  • P Riley Dixon
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni

Riley Dixon punted twice in the team’s first preseason game and Trenton Gill didn’t get an opportunity because the offense did such a good job staying on the field. We’ll see if Gill can push Dixon in the final two games.

Injured (2) 

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
  • LB Drew Sanders (Reserve/PUP)
  • DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (Reserve/PUP)

Drew Sanders and Delarrin Turner-Yell seem likely to begin the season on a reserve list, so they won’t count against the initial 53-man roster.

Broncos players will get another chance to impress when Denver hosts the Packers in Week 2 of preseason on Sunday. The Broncos’ game against Green Bay will be nationally televised on NFL Network. 

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Former Broncos quarterback signs with Bills

Former Broncos backup quarterback Ben DiNucci has signed with the Bills. He’ll compete behind Josh Allen and Mitchell Trubisky.

Ben DiNucci is returning to the NFL.

The former Denver Broncos backup quarterback signed with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, the team announced. Buffalo turned to DiNucci after losing third-string quarterback Shane Buechele to a neck injury.

DiNucci, 27, joined the Broncos in 2023 after impressing in the XFL with the Seattle Sea Dragons. He spent that fall on Denver’s practice squad as the team’s third-string quarterback behind Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham.

The Broncos waived DiNucci in May after trading for Zach Wilson and using a first-round draft pick to select Bo Nix in April. Stidham and Nix are now competing for the starting role with Wilson serving as QB3 in Denver.

DiNucci, meanwhile, slots into the QB3 role in Buffalo behind backup Mitchell Trubisky and starter Josh Allen. The Bills mark DiNucci’s third team in the NFL after previously playing for the Dallas Cowboys and Broncos. DiNucci has teased a potential return to spring football if his NFL career ever hits a snag.

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Derek Wolfe had a perfect reaction to Bo Nix’s first game in the NFL

“Huge relief to see that Bo Nix doesn’t suck,” former Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe tweeted on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos have been in football purgatory since Peyton Manning’s retirement from the NFL in 2016.

Following Manning’s retirement, the Broncos have had 13 different starting quarterbacks. Four of those quarterbacks — Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Drew Lock — were drafted by Denver. None of them worked out.

The Broncos returned to the draft well this spring and picked Bo Nix. Denver coach Sean Payton believes Nix can be the team’s new franchise quarterback, and fans in Denver hope he’s right.

Nix made his (preseason) NFL debut against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and the rookie impressed, throwing for 125 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. After watching Nix’s performance, former Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe posted a perfect reaction on Twitter/X.

“Huge relief to see that Bo Nix doesn’t suck,” Wolfe tweeted.

Wolfe played in Denver from 2012-2019, suffering through four seasons in the post-Manning era that featured seven different starting quarterbacks. Five years after Wolfe’s retirement, the Broncos might now finally have stability at the position.

“I’m excited again!” Wolfe tweeted on Sunday. “Let’s see what this kid can do as a starter. For the first time in 8 years I think we finally have a QB1 that can compete in the AFC West.”

Nix is set to start in Denver’s second preseason game against the Green Bay Packers next Sunday. The rookie will look to build on his performance that impressed Wolfe — and Broncos fans — in Indianapolis.

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Falcons host ex-Broncos safety Justin Simmons on free agent visit

The Falcons are hosting former Broncos safety Justin Simmons on a two-day free agent visit this week.

Former Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons has another free agent visit lined up this week.

Simmons, 30, is set to visit the Atlanta Falcons on Monday and Tuesday, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Simmons previously visited the New Orleans Saints last week but left without signing.

The Broncos released Simmons in March to save $14.5 million in salary cap space. Denver quickly replaced him by adding Brandon Jones during free agency, and the team also re-signed P.J. Locke. Jones and Locke are expected to serve as the team’s two starting safeties in 2024.

Simmons, meanwhile, has been picky in his search for a new team. The veteran has said he is waiting for the right opportunity, and he would prefer to join a contender.

Another former Broncos safety, Caden Sterns, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and reunited with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

Simmons is arguably the most notable NFL free agent still available.

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