Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Zach Wilson’s touchdown pass to Nate Adkins gives the Broncos a 14-0 lead over the Cardinals midway through the second quarter.
Denver Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson threw a one-yard touchdown pass to tight end/fullback Nate Adkins in the second quarter of Sunday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:
Wide. Open. 🙌@NateTKins | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/IMQcSWKgdQ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 25, 2024
Midway through the second quarter, the Broncos now lead the Cardinals 14-0.
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The Broncos’ preseason finale against the Cardinals today will be nationally televised on CBS.
The Denver Broncos are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 of preseason on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Empower Field at Mile High.
The game will be nationally televised on CBS and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free). Kickoff between the Broncos and Cardinals has been set for 2:30 p.m. MT (4:30 p.m. ET).
Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Tiki Barber (analyst) and Jason McCourty (analyst) will serve as commentators for CBS. A replay of the game will re-air on NFL Network at 9:00 p.m. MT on Sunday night. In Mexico, Denver’s preseason games are televised internationally on Fox Sports Mexico.
Fans in the orange areas on the map below will get the game on their local CBS stations in the USA:
In addition to being nationally televised on CBS and available to stream on fuboTV, the game will also be available to stream on NFL+ and Paramount+.
All three of the Broncos preseason games got a nationally-televised spotlight this summer. That will change when the regular season arrives as Denver only has two initially-scheduled prime-time games this fall.
After wrapping up preseason, the Broncos will have until Aug. 27 to finalize an initial 53-man roster. After that, Denver can then build a 17-player practice squad.
The Broncos are using preseason to evaluate their roster and prepare for a Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8. The team’s regular-season opener will be regionally televised on CBS.
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We asked Cards Wire five questions about the Cardinals ahead of their preseason showdown with the Broncos.
Before the Denver Broncos face the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday, we caught up with Jess Root of Cards Wire to learn more about Denver’s opponent and the preseason showdown. Check out our questions and Root’s answers below.
Not only should you not expect to see any starters other than the specialists, don’t expect to see any player who has already carved out a contributing role on offense or defense. This will be a game to give the back end of the roster game reps, give guys who aren’t going to make the team snaps to show other teams and to make final roster decisions.
Sadly, Ojemudia has not been particularly notable. He will certainly play on Sunday but he he deep on the depth chart.
A guy who deserves to be on an NFL roster is running back Michael Carter. He has been great and has made plays in every opportunity, but there appear to already be four backs locked in on the roster. He should play well.
That obviously has to be Pat Surtain. What the Cardinals desperately need is a shutdown cornerback. They have young talent, but no alpha. Surtain would be a game changer.
Perhaps the best description of Nix that I heard before the draft was that if you squint, you can kind of see Drew Brees, which is obviously why Sean Payton was so enamored with him. Truth be told, I’m not convinced that Payton is what he was in New Orleans and, with as long as Nix played in college, I don’t believe he will be more than a serviceable starter. I don’t think he will ever do more than show some Brees traits a few times over a season.
You can view our answers to Root’s questions on Cards Wire.
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Yes, there’s an Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and they’ve sent players to the NFL. Dondrea Tillman is the latest.
During the Denver Broncos‘ preseason game against the Green Bay Packers last week, the 9News broadcast (that was simulcast on NFL Network) showed a graphic below pass rusher Dondrea Tillman that listed his college as “Indiana University of Pennsylvania.”
It left football fans befuddled.
Here's me learning there's an Indiana University in Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/y4X1hlrySp
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) August 19, 2024
That’s not a real school, is it?
There is no way "Indiana University of Pennsylvania" is a real thing. No way.
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) August 19, 2024
Yes, it is.
There’s a borough named “Indiana” in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, the location of the college. The school goes by “IUP,” and they’ve sent 16 other players to the NFL.
As for Tillman, he’s had quite a football journey.
The 26-year-old pass rusher spent four years at IUP, earning three All-PSAC West selections. After college, he was out of football for two years before getting an opportunity to play in “The Spring League” in 2021.
After playing one season with the TSL Conquerors, Tillman was drafted by the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions in 2022. He won three straight titles with the Stallions before signing with the Broncos this summer.
Tillman is a long shot to make Denver’s 53-man roster, but he should be a strong candidate for the practice squad.
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The Broncos will not play starter Bo Nix in their preseason finale. Jarrett Stidham will start the game and then Zach Wilson will finish up.
After naming Bo Nix his starting quarterback earlier this week, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton announced his QB rotation plan on Friday for the team’s upcoming preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
Nix and most of Denver’s starters will sit out the game. Stidham will get 8-12 reps at quarterback first, then Wilson will “get a lot of work” finishing out the game, Payton said.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, the Cardinals plan to start quarterback Clayton Tune on Sunday. Kyler Murray and most of the Cardinals starters will sit out the game.
Payton has not revealed how many quarterbacks the Broncos will carry on the 53-man roster, but he has indicated keeping all three is possible. If the team opts to carry just two QBs, Sunday could be the last game Stidham or Wilson play in Denver.
The Broncos could look to trade one of their backup quarterbacks, or the team could consider carrying all three on the active roster. Either one of Stidham or Wilson would probably be picked up by another team if cut by Denver next week.
Wilson would be subject to the NFL’s waiver wire if he’s cut. Stidham, as a vested veteran, would become a free agent if he’s cut.
Broncos Wire will track all of the team’s roster moves — and any QB developments — when roster cuts begin next week.
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The Broncos will wear white jerseys and white pants in their preseason finale on Sunday. We’ll have to wait to see white with blue pants.
The Denver Broncos will wear white jerseys and white pants in their preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos previously wore white tops and bottoms in their preseason opener followed by white jerseys with orange pants in their second preseason game. Both looks were well-received by fans and pundits on social media.
Denver announced its regular-season jersey schedule earlier this month. The team’s pants color will be picked by team captains each week.
During the regular season, the Broncos’ home games will feature white (once), blue (once), throwback (twice) and orange (four times) jerseys. Denver will wear white on the road with the exception of an orange jersey game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.
⚪️ on ⚪️ for the preseason finale. #AZvsDEN game threads » https://t.co/mB3SENCPMw pic.twitter.com/ry1HKAAfys
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 22, 2024
After facing the Cardinals on Sunday, the Broncos will have until Aug. 27 to finalize an initial 53-man roster. After that, Denver will build a 17-player practice squad.
Following preseason, the Broncos will go on the road to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday, Sept. 8.
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After setting a 53-man roster next week, the Broncos will build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. Here’s our prediction.
After making roster cuts and setting an initial 53-man roster next week, the Denver Broncos (and every other team) will get an opportunity to claim players off waivers. Once the waiver period has passed, teams can then build a 16- or 17-player practice squad for the 2024 season.
(Clubs are allowed to carry an international player on their practice squad without that player counting against the 16-player limit.)
After unveiling our 53-man roster prediction earlier this week, today we’re taking a crack at predicting a 17-player practice squad for Denver. Check it out below:
1. QB Jarrett StidhamÂ
2. RB Tyler Badie
3. WR Brandon Johnson
4. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
5. WR Michael Bandy
6. TE Thomas Yassmin (international)
7. C Sam Mustipher
8. G Will Sherman
9. OT Frank Crum
10. DL Angelo Blackson
11. DL Jordan Jackson
12. DL Matt Henningsen
13. OLB Thomas Incoom
14. OLB Dondrea Tillman
15. ILB Levelle Bailey
16. CB Art Green
17. CB Damarri Mathis
NFL teams have until 2:00 p.m. MT (4:00 p.m. ET) on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to finalize a 53-man roster. After waiver claims are processed on Wednesday, clubs can then build their practice squads.
After setting the roster and practice squad, Denver will turn its attention toward a Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8.
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Six former Broncos players will return to Empower Field at Mile High to play against their former team on Sunday.
A half-dozen ex-Denver Broncos players will return to Empower Field at Mile High to play against their former team on Sunday.
The Arizona Cardinals have six ex-Broncos on their roster — two on offense, two on defense and two on special teams. Denver is set to host Arizona in Sunday’s preseason finale.
Cardinals offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of UMass in 2017. He dressed for 45 games in four years in Denver, earning 26 starts moving between guard and tackle.
Arizona running back Tony Jones went to training camp with the Broncos last summer but did not make the squad after preseason.
Cardinals defensive back Delonte Hood spent time on Denver’s practice squad in 2022 before being released in 2023.
Arizona cornerback Michael Ojemudia was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Iowa. He played in 21 games with 12 starts from 2020-2022 before being waived.
Cardinals long snapper Aaron Brewer landed in Denver as an undrafted free agent out of San Diego State in 2012. He spent four years as the team’s long snapper before being released in 2016.
Arizona kicker Matt Prater played for the Broncos from 2007-2014, converting a then-NFL record 64-yard field goal in 2013. Denver replaced Prater with Brandon McManus during the 2014 season.
Sunday’s game will be nationally televised on CBS.
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The Broncos’ preseason finale against the Cardinals on Sunday will be nationally televised on CBS.
The Denver Broncos are set to host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 of preseason on Sunday, Aug. 25 at Empower Field at Mile High.
The game will be nationally televised on CBS and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free). Kickoff between the Broncos and Cardinals has been set for 2:30 p.m. MT (4:30 p.m. ET).
Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), Tiki Barber (analyst) and Jason McCourty (analyst) will serve as commentators for CBS. A replay of the game will re-air on NFL Network at 9:00 p.m. MT on Sunday night. In Mexico, Denver’s preseason games are televised internationally on Fox Sports Mexico.
Fans in the orange areas on the map below will get the game on their local CBS stations in the USA:
In addition to being nationally televised on CBS and available to stream on fuboTV, the game will also be available to stream on NFL+ and Paramount+.
All three of the Broncos preseason games got a nationally-televised spotlight this summer. That will change when the regular season arrives as Denver only has two initially-scheduled prime-time games this fall.
After wrapping up preseason, the Broncos will have until Aug. 27 to finalize an initial 53-man roster. After that, Denver can then build a 17-player practice squad.
The Broncos are using preseason to evaluate their roster and prepare for a Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 8. The team’s regular-season opener will be regionally televised on CBS.
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Former Saints quarterback Chase Daniel broke down film of Bo Nix’s first (preseason) start with the Broncos. This is a must-watch video.
Chase Daniel knows what it’s like to play in a Sean Payton offense.
Daniel spent 13 years in the NFL, including five seasons as a backup quarterback with the New Orleans Saints (2009-2012, 2017). So he’s certainly qualified to break down the performance of a Payton QB.
Daniel recently released a 16-and-a-half-minute video breaking down Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix’s first (preseason) start in the NFL against the Green Bay Packers.
On the first play, Daniel notes how quickly Nix goes through his reads, something Payton loves. On the next play, Nix sends a running back in motion to identify if the defense is in man coverage. They weren’t, so Nix checked to a different play. Nix then makes a fast read and gets the ball out quickly for a completion.
“Playing fast, that’s what Sean Payton wants,” Daniel notes.
You can watch the full film review below:
Nix went 8-of-9 passing for 80 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers against the Packers. He also rushed three times for 12 yards. Payton has not yet announced a starting QB at the time of publication, but Nix seems to be on track to be named the starter ahead of Week 1.
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