Tag: P.J. Locke

Broncos players laugh about Jonathan Taylor’s ‘early Christmas present’

Jonathan Taylor’s fumble was “an early Christmas present,” leaving Broncos players all in smiles in the locker room after the win.

Early in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run to give his team a 13-point lead. Well, almost.

After review, officials determined that Taylor dropped the ball just before crossing the goal line. Taylor’s fumble rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. So instead of scoring a touchdown, Taylor gave the ball back to Denver.

Following that game-altering play, the Broncos went on to score 24 unanswered points in an eventual 31-13 victory. Denver coach Sean Payton was flabbergasted when asked about the play after the game.

“That was significant,” Payton said. “I don’t get it, but I’m not going to try to. That was a significant play that you go from breaking a long run for a touchdown for your team to us having the ball.”

Payton was asked if the play could be a teachable moment for his own players.

“Fair question,” Payton said. “I cannot recall covering that. It would not be a teaching point. I think that will be difficult for the coaches and every one of his teammates. It’ll just be difficult, I don’t get it. I’ll leave it at that. I don’t want to say something.”

At the risk of putting words in the coach’s mouth, it seemed that Payton might have been suggesting such a scenario shouldn’t even need to be taught because it’s common sense to not drop the ball before you score. Those are Broncos Wire’s words, though, as Payton was careful to not say too much.

Denver’s players, on the other hand, weren’t quite as diplomatic.

Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper gave Taylor a shoutout in the locker room, Nik Bonitto said he was happy the running back bailed out the defense and safety P.J. Locke thanked the “football Gods.” Everyone had big smiles when asked about the play.

The best reaction of the night came from defensive back Brandon Jones.

“I think it was kind of fitting for the kind of season it is,” Jones said, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “It’s an early Christmas present, which we are super grateful for it and we appreciated it so much.”

Denver defensive lineman John-Franklin Myers also had a great reaction:

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said any Denver players who made such a blunder would have to answer to the wrath of Payton.

As for Taylor himself, the running back took responsibility for the blunder.

“It just can’t happen,” Taylor said. “No matter the game, no matter the scenario, you could be up 50, down by 50, in a playoff game, the first game of the season. That should never happen.”

Taylor said he apologized to his teammates and vowed never to let it happen again.

“I told them, I apologized, and I just know that it will never happen again,” the running back said. “That has never happened to me before, and it will never happen again.”

The Broncos are now just one more win away from clinching a spot in the NFL playoffs. Indy’s postseason hopes are now all but dead.

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Sean Payton pleased with Broncos’ safety play this season

“I like how we’re playing [at safety],” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Last year, the Denver Broncos went into the season with Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson as their starting safeties. Caden Sterns was listed as a co-starter with Jackson, but he suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 1. That injury left P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell and JL Skinner as the team’s backup safeties in 2023.

Simmons played at his typical Pro Bowl level in 2023, but Jackson served two suspensions and was eventually released. Locke ended up starting eight games as a fill-in starter last season.

After parting ways with Jackson late in the 2023 season and releasing Simmons this spring, Denver signed Brandon Jones during free agency. Jones has been starting across from Locke this year, and they have been a dynamic safety duo for the Broncos.

Jones has recorded 79 tackles, two interceptions, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery through 11 games.

“We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago,” coach Sean Payton said of the safety positon. “We’ve played a few different guys back there, but I like how we’re playing. We’re communicating. Our guys on defense, Vance [Joseph] and Jim Leonhard and all those guys are doing a fantastic job. We’re definitely I would say further along, and it was a good performance by those guys [Sunday].”

Denver’s backup safeties behind Jones and Locke are Devon Key and Skinner. Payton clearly feels that the Jones-Locke-Key-Skinner combination is better than the Simmons-Jackson-Locke-Turner-Yell rotation from last year. (Jackson, as one might expect, disagreed with that assessment.)

Jones and Locke will look to build on their impressive campaign when the Broncos host the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football in Week 13.

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Kareem Jackson was not pleased with Sean Payton’s latest comments

Sean Payton said the Broncos are “better overall” at safety this year than they were last season. Kareem Jackson clearly disagrees.

During his conference call with reporters on Monday, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked about the team’s current safety duo of Brandon Jones and P.J. Locke.

During his response, Payton said, “We’re better overall on the backend at that position than we were a year ago.” Last year, Denver’s starting safeties going into the season were Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson.

Jackson saw Payton’s quote on Twitter/X and it’s safe to say he doesn’t agree with the coach’s stance.

“🤣🤣 if it’s one thing I’ve learned in this league after being in it for 15 years, some of these coaches will say any damn thing!” Jackson tweeted on Monday. “Even if it’s them putting their foot in their mouth lol!! S/o PJ and B Jones cause I love what they doing this year!! Keep going fellas 🫡”

Locke became a fill-in starter for the Broncos last year while Jackson served two separate suspensions. After Jackson returned from his second suspension, Payton cut him.

Jackson, 36, finished last season with the Houston Texans and he is now on the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad.

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Broncos release Friday injury report: Safety returns with cast

Broncos safety P.J. Locke (thumb) is poised to return to the starting lineup this week, but he will be wearing a cast.

Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke practiced all three days this week and he appears set to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday after missing the team’s last two games.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said after Friday’s practice that Locke will wear a small cast on his hand to protect his thumb for several weeks.

Elsewhere on the injury front, center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was a full participant on Thursday and Friday, but he is officially listed as questionable for Sunda’s game. Once Wattenberg returns from injured reserve, Denver will have to make room for him on the active roster.

Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) have been ruled out, so they’ll have to wait at least one more week before being activated from the physically unable to perform list.

View the team’s final injury report below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DE Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited Full Full
DL D.J. Jones (knee) Full Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full Full
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Full Full
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) Full Full Full Out
C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) Limited Full Full Questionable
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Limited Limited Limited Out

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, KC is considered a heavy favorite against the Broncos.

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Broncos release Thursday injury report: WR still sidelined

Broncos OL Luke Wattenberg (IR) and LB Drew Sanders (PUP) have returned to practice, but WR Josh Reynolds (IR) remains sidelined.

The Denver Broncos opened the windows for center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) to return from injury lists this week. Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger) is also eligible to return, but the team has not yet opened his 21-day window.

Reynolds remains on injured reserve and the team has not designated him to return. Once he eventually returns to practice, Reynolds will have a three-week window to be activated to the 53-man roster.

Reynolds was shot twice after leaving a club on Oct. 18. The team described his wounds as minor, so that does not seem to be impacting his IR status.

Denver has a backlog of players returning to the active roster soon, and the Broncos probably aren’t rushing Reynolds.

Elsewhere on the injury front, safety P.J. Locke (thumb) fully participated again on Thursday, seemingly putting him on track to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

View the Broncos’ complete Thursday injury report below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DL D.J. Jones (knee) Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) Full Full
DE Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited Full
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Full
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Limited Limited
C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) Limited Full

The Broncos will practice again on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s matchup in Kansas City.

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Broncos release Wednesday injury report: 2 players return to practice

Broncos OL Luke Wattenberg (ankle) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) returned to practice on Wednesday.

Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke (thumb) fully practiced on Wednesday after missing the team’s last two games. Locke now appears set to return to the starting lineup this week. Devon Key filled in while Locke was sidelined for the last two weeks.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Broncos center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) opened his 21-day win to return from the physically unable to perform list.

Wattenberg has three weeks to return from IR and Sanders has the same amount of time to return from the PUP list. If they ae not activated to the 53-man roster within that three-week window, Wattenberg and Sanders will remain on reserve for the rest of the season.

As for the Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) fully practiced Wednesday after tweaking his ankle in Week 9.

View the Broncos’ complete Wednesday injury report below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DL D.J. Jones (knee) Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) Full
DE Zach Allen (NIR – rest) Limited
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Limited
C Luke Wattenberg (ankle) Limited

The Broncos will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s game in Kansas City.

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5 takeaways from the Broncos’ loss to Ravens in Week 9

The Broncos lost to the Ravens on the road in Week 9. Here are five takeaways from the defeat.

The Denver Broncos (5-4) lost to the Baltimore Ravens (6-3) 41-10 in Week 9 of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Here are five quick takeaways from the defeat.

1. P.J. Locke has been missed: Locke has missed the team’s last two games with a thumb injury and there’s been a noticeable dropoff to Devon Key. Locke himself could be a candidate to lose his starting job in 2025, but he’s certainly better than the depth options behind him. The Broncos will undoubtedly hope the safety is ready to return next week.

2. Courtland Sutton can’t do it all at WR: Sutton hauled in seven receptions for 122 yards on Sunday. No other wide receiver posted more than two catches and quarterback Bo Nix was Denver’s only player to catch a touchdwon pass on Sunday. The Broncos lack playmakers at the position and the WRs behind Sutton (ahem, Lil’Jordah Humphrey) are hurting more than they’re helping. Josh Reynolds (finger) is eligible to return from injured reserve next week and the offense could really use him.

3. Bo Nix is still trending up: It certainly wasn’t a great game from Nix, but the blame for his interception falls on Humphrey. Nix finished the day 19-of-33 passing for 223 yards with one turnover and one touchdown catch. He’s getting little help on offense, but the rookie QB continues to show fight. Nix still has some rookie growing pains to get through, but he has the right makeup to have success in the NFL.

4. The Broncos aren’t true playoff contenders yet: Denver’s 5-3 record going into Week 9 might have been a bit of fool’s gold. Mathematically, the Broncos could obviously still squeak into the playoffs this season as a Wild Card seed, but Sunday’s game demonstrated where Denver stacks up against true contenders in the AFC. The Broncos have a young, inexperienced team that’s lacking in depth due in part to the team’s limited salary cap space. All things considered, a 5-4 record is a respectable mark at this point in the season. But Denver’s more pretender than contender at the moment.

5. Expect a quiet NFL trade deadline: It wouldn’t make sense for the Broncos to trade away future draft capital with a splash move at the deadline. Denver’s not one player away from making a run, anyway. It also wouldn’t make sense to part with a player like Sutton — their best WR — when Nix is developing. The Broncos might stand pat at Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Up next for Denver is a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

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9 players did not play in Broncos’ loss to Ravens

The Broncos held out nine players from Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

Nine members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety P.J. Locke (thumb), cornerback Damarri Mathis, defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Greg Dulcich and outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman were inactive in Week 9.

*Wilson was inactive but still dressed as an emergency third quarterback.

Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, also did not play as Bo Nix took every snap on offense. Backup offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton was also an unused substitute, giving the Broncos nine players who did not see the field in Baltimore.

Broncos who did not play in Week 9

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  2. DB P.J. Locke (thumb)
  3. CB Damarri Mathis
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. OT Frank Crum
  6. TE Greg Dulcich
  7. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)
  9. OL Calvin Throckmorton (active)

Devon Key filled in for Locke at safety. We’ll see if Locke is able to return in time for the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs next week.

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Ravens vs. Broncos: Top photos from Baltimore’s 41-10 win in Week 9

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 41-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 9 at M&T Bank Stadium

Denver entered the game 5-3 with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, but the Baltimore offense shredded them, as Vance Joseph’s defense surrendered 396 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon.

The Ravens are 6-3 after a 41-10 win over the emerging Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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Lamar Jackson finished with perfect passer rating as Ravens demolish Broncos 41-10

Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson finished with a perfect passer rating in Week 10 as the Ravens defeated the Broncos 41-10

The Ravens spent all week talking about removing the taste of an ugly loss to the Browns in Week 8. John Harbaugh’s team responded solidly, dominating the upstart Broncos 41-10 at M&T Bank Stadium.

Denver entered the game 5-3 with the NFL’s third-ranked defense, but the Baltimore offense shredded them, as Vance Joseph’s defense surrendered 396 yards and five touchdowns on the afternoon.

With talk about Josh Allen potentially winning MVP, Jackson completed 16 of 19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday, marking his fourth perfect passer rating.

Derrick Henry finished with 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns, moving past Barry Sanders for 10th on the all-time touchdowns list and going over 1,000 yards for the sixth time in his career.

Zay Flowers had another 100-yard game, finishing with 127 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

On defense, Zach Orr’s unit surrendered 319 yards, including 197 passing and, most importantly, just ten points.

Baltimore will now prepare for Cincinnati on a short week and Amazon’s Thursday Night Football.