Tag: P.J. Locke

8 players did not play in Broncos’ win vs. Panthers

Eight Broncos players did not play against the Panthers, including safety P.J. Locke (thumb).

Seven members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety P.J. Locke (thumb), offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, tight end Greg Dulcich, outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike were inactive in Week 8.

*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. That gave the Broncos eight total players who did not see the field against the Panthers.

Broncos who did not play in Week 8

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  2. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  3. DB P.J. Locke (thumb)
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. TE Greg Dulcich
  6. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)

Devon Key filled in for Locke at safety. Palczewski might be a candidate to return to the game-day roster in Week 9.

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Broncos injury report: Starting defensive back doubtful for Panthers game

Broncos DB P.J. Locke (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

After practicing in all three sessions this week, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) appears to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but another starting defensive back is listed as doubtful to play in Week 8.

Broncos safety P.J. Locke left Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury and he did not participate in the Thursday or Friday sessions. He is officially considered doubtful for Sunday’s game.

Devon Key would be the next man up at safety across from Brandon Jones. Denver also has JL Skinner and Keidron Smith on the active roster, plus Tanner McCalister on the practice squad.

As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) is also listed as doubtful. After Dalton injured his thumb in a car crash on Tuesday, the Panthers will start Bryce Young against the Broncos on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Carolina’s injury report, wide receivers Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) have also been ruled out.

View the Broncos’ complete injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited DNP DNP Doubtful
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Limited Full
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited Limited Limited Questionable
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP Full Full

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS. The Broncos are considered big favorites against the Panthers going into Week 8.

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Riley Moss says Broncos’ defense can still improve

“There’s still some things we’ve got to clean up. We shouldn’t have given up that many points. There’s still some stuff to get after.”

Five weeks into the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos have one of the best defenses in the NFL. And there’s still room for improvement.

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph loves to blitz, and he’s able to do so frequently because Denver’s defensive backs hold up in man coverage. In those scenarios, though, all it takes is one missed pass breakup or one missed tackle to give up a big play.

That’s what happened against the Las Vegas Raiders last week when safety P.J. Locke misjudged a pass to tight end Brock Bowers, who went 57 yards for a touchdown. That’s the kind of play the Broncos can get cleaned up.

“It’s one of those things where you need to be present,” cornerback Riley Moss said of the defense’s approach. “Mentally, physically, every day. You want your work days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, to be harder than the game so when you come into the game, it’ll be a lot easier.

“That’s kind of the mentality that our entire defense has had. It has been working, but there’s still some things we’ve got to clean up. We shouldn’t have given up that many points. There’s still some stuff to get after.”

Denver ended up winning last week’s game 34-18, but Moss wasn’t satisfied with the defense’s performance. The unit will look to take another step forward when the Broncos host the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 6.

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NFL fined P.J. Locke (twice) for sequence that upset Sean Payton

P.J. Locke got an earful from Sean Payton after he was penalized and slammed his helmet in Week 2. Now the NFL has fined the safety.

Denver Broncos safety P.J. Locke’s hit on Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III in Week 2 proved to be a costly play.

Locke was penalized for unnecessary roughness after his hit on a defenseless receiver, then the safety slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration. After the penalty and outburst, Locke got an earful from Broncos coach Sean Payton on the sideline.

Now the NFL’s also letting him hear it in the form of fines.

Yes, plural fines — Locke was fined $13,972 for the hit (unnecessary roughness) and another $13,972 for removing his helmet (unsportsmanlike conduct), according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

That’s a total of $27,944 worth of fines for Locke in Week 2.

Broncos center Luke Wattenberg was also fined $5,872 for a blindside block against the Steelers, an unnecessary roughness offense that was not penalized during the game. The NFL handed down that fine after reviewing Sunday’s film.

Last week, Denver safety Brandon Jones was fined $11,255 for unnecessary roughness and pass rusher Nik Bonitto was fined $8,791 for a roughing the passer penalty. Through two games this season, Broncos players have been fined a total of $53,862.

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Riley Moss is stepping up at cornerback for the Broncos

“He’s fast, he has great footwork, he has great technique,” Broncos safety P.J. Locke said of cornerback Riley Moss.

After a rookie season to forget, Denver Broncos cornerback Riley Moss might be on the verge of a breakout campaign in 2024.

Moss was picked by the Broncos in the third round of last year’s NFL draft out of Iowa. He then underwent core muscle surgery in the summer, which undoubtedly had an impact on Moss’ rookie season.

The 24-year-old cornerback dressed for 14 games last year, but he only played 23 snaps on defense. Now healthy, Moss is stepping up going into Year 2.

“He’s doing great,” safety P.J. Locke said after last week’s preseason game. “He’s picking up the playbook. Riley has a crazy skillset. I mean nobody expected it, obviously. He’s fast, he has great footwork, he has great technique, he knows the defense, and he’s doing great.”

Moss has been competing with Damarri Mathis for the No. 2 cornerback spot across from Pat Surtain during training camp and preseason.

“He’s smart,” coach Sean Payton said of Moss in June. “I’d say you feel his length at corner. When I say that, just even on that play, it’s a tougher play to make if you’re a shorter corner. So you feel his length. He has really good transitional skills, and I think he’s smart. He’s picking up the technique, and he has versatility outside, in. We have good competition there.”

After impressing in preseason, Moss certainly seems to be on track to start across from Surtain in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. Moss is one of seven projected new starters for Denver’s defense this fall.

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Broncos teammates continue to praise quarterback Bo Nix

“Our job is challenge him in practice, and man, he’s stepping up big time,” Broncos safety P.J. Locke said of quarterback Bo Nix.

Praise continues to pour in for Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who impressed teammates at training camp and continues to impress during preseason.

Nix started in the team’s 27-2 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers last week and he looked sharp, going 8-of-9 passing for 80 yards with one touchdown and no turnovers.

“He’s super, super efficient,” safety P.J. Locke said after the game. “Man, I think he’s like a very seasoned rookie — the way he marches down the field. The way he carries himself, the confidence he has. He has confidence in his arm. He’s able to read the defense and make the right reads. Man, he just continues to get better every week. Our job is challenge him in practice, and man, he’s stepping up big time.”

Nix has been calm and composed in preseason, two traits that aren’t always typical for a rookie. He’s continuing to gain confidence with each week.

“He played lights out as usual, and I just see it day in and day out,” cornerback Pat Surtain said. “He’s just growing his confidence. Obviously, he’s growing his chemistry with the offensive guys, receivers, running backs, tight ends, his o-line.

“When you see a younger guy like that take control of offense, you know the expectation is going to keep on going further and further. I’m looking forward to seeing him play for sure. Obviously, we had our runs in college so I knew the talent was there but just to see him do it for full display now, as his teammate, it’s pretty exciting to see.”

Through two preseason games, Nix is 23-of-30 passing for 205 yards with two touchdowns, no turnovers and no sacks. He has also rushed six times for 29 yards. Six of Nix’s seven preseason drives have ended in points (the only exception was the result of a teammate’s fumble). We are yet to see him against a starting defense in the regular season, but Nix certainly appears to be trending in the right direction, and he has the backing of his teammates.

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P.J. Locke and Courtland Sutton had the cutest moments of preseason

Courtland Sutton and P.J. Locke delivered two of the cutest moments of preseason before the Broncos’ game against the Packers on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos handled business on the field against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night with a 27-2 victory at home.

Broncos players also had a night to remember off the field.

During pregame warmups, Denver safety P.J. Locke was joined by his son on the field, and his helmet was a perfect fit:

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton also had a cute moment, posing for a photo with a seven-month-old baby when he came out of the tunnel after halftime. Goldie’s going to love the resulting photo and video when she’s older:

Football is family, as the NFL likes to say. Those two videos were definitely two of the top highlights from Denver’s preseason opener on Sunday.

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Broncos safety shares encouraging report on rookie QB Bo Nix

“I was like, ‘Man, I just cannot get a bead off of him.’” Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has impressed safety P.J. Locke.

So far, so good for Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Nix, who is competing with Jarrett Stidham for the starting role, arrived in Denver this spring with 61 college starts on his resume, an NCAA record. Nix’s extensive experience at the college level could prove to be beneficial as he now transitions to playing in the NFL.

During his media availability earlier this week, safety P.J. Locke gave an encouraging report on the rookie quarterback.

“Right now, what I notice from Bo is he’s a good look off guy,” Locke said Thursday. “He’s really good looking off. Even in OTAs, I was like, ‘Man, I just cannot get a bead off of him.’ Most of the time rookie quarterbacks, their first read, they’re going to look at it.

“Here, he’ll look you off real quick. I think he studies the safeties. He can tell — we’re super instinctive. We try to play games with him, so he tries to play games back. That’s what I’ve noticed off the rip. He can throw the pill. He can throw it.”

Nix is not staring down his primary target at practice. Instead, he’s fooling Locke and the team’s other defensive backs with his eyes, looking at one target before throwing to someone else. It’s an effective approach, one that suggests Nix is not hindered by a common rookie mistake of locking his eyes onto one WR.

Of course, looking off a defensive back is a moot point if the pass is not on target. Nix’s accuracy has also been praised by teammates.

“It has some zip on it, but he can also throw some touch on it too,” wide receiver Josh Reynolds said. “He’s versatile. His arm is very versatile. I think he can make a lot of the throws that the coaches are asking for. I think it will help us a lot.”

Nix, 24, will make his NFL debut when the Broncos go on the road to face the Indianapolis Colts in their preseason opener on Aug. 11.

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Sean Payton’s confidence in P.J. Locke has paid off for Broncos

P.J. Locke: “When a coach has confidence in me, it’s gives me a boost of energy and confidence … when I play confident, I’m dangerous.”

P.J. Locke served primarily as a special teams player with the Denver Broncos from 2020-2022, playing 144 snaps on defense during that three-year period.

Last year, Locke played 91 snaps on special teams, marking the first time his ST snaps dipped below 320 in a season. That was a direct result of Locke getting increased snaps on defense (539).

Following a season-ending injury for Caden Sterns and multiple suspensions for Kareem Jackson, Locke ended up starting eight games for the Broncos last fall. Ater the season, Denver rewarded Locke with a two-year, $7 million contract.

“Last season, I think he began to create that vision for himself, to his credit,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Locke on June 4. “[He was] closer to the ball as a pressure player, also in coverage. [It is] great to see him out there healthy. I think he earned some of those snaps and the confidence level for him. He’s one of the players when I talk about, ‘You see confidence through demonstrated.’ He saw it and felt it and then we saw it. It’s pretty powerful.

“He’s smart and he’s tough. The first time I remember talking to him for a long time about his role was when we were on a plane to go to Justin [Simmons]’s father’s funeral and his grandmother’s funeral. P.J. Locke was on that plane, and we had a long conversation about that. Those are snaps he’s earned, and he’s put himself in a good position.”

Locke took advantage of his increased role last fall and ended the season with 53 tackles, five pass breakups, three sacks and two forced fumbles. He has earned Payton’s confidence, which in turn has increased his own confidence.

“I have the utmost respect for Coach Payton. We had plenty of talks about just my journey getting to the NFL,” Locke said last month. “He can [talk] too and he has a story for everything. Everything I say he has a story behind it. He just gave me some confidence that he has confidence in me. That goes a long way with me. When a coach has confidence in me, it’s gives me a boost of energy and confidence in myself. When I play confident, I’m dangerous.”

After the Broncos cut Simmons this offseason, the team is set to have an open competition to replace him at safety. Locke, Sterns and Brandon Jones will compete for two starting jobs this summer. Even if he doesn’t end up starting in Week 1, Locke will remain a key part of the secondary in 2024.

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Brandon Jones says it’s ‘really cool’ to reunite with Texas teammates in the NFL

Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Malcolm Roach were teammates at Texas and are now reunited in the NFL.

After the Denver Broncos released veteran safety Justin Simmons to save salary cap space this spring, the team signed Brandon Jones in free agency as a replacement.

In Denver, Jones will reunite with several former Texas Longhorns teammates, including fellow safeties P.J. Locke and Caden Sterns. The 26-year-old safety consulted his former college teammates before signing with the Broncos.

“Throughout the whole process, anybody I had connections with at any team in the league, I was kind of picking their brains and seeing what kind of scheme they run,” Jones said in May. “For sure with those two guys. I got into it with them, just tried to learn the defense to see what the similarities and differences were and that sort of stuff.”

Locke and Sterns aren’t the only former Longhorns reuniting with Jones. Broncos wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and defensive lineman Malcolm Roach also overlapped with those three defensive backs in 2018.

“We had a little ongoing joke today,” Jones said of having three Longhorns at safety. “Every day it is something new. Mostly Malcolm, he kind of instigates everything. It kind of gives a college-type of vibe with us three, but yes, it’s really cool and super unique.”

Jones and Roach arrived at Texas together in 2016 and played four years together before entering the NFL. Now reunited in Denver, not much has changed.

“Malcolm has honestly been the same since we were freshmen in college,” Jones said. “He definitely has vocal leadership qualities. He’s a guy that keeps everybody and holds everybody accountable. [He] goes 100 miles an hour every time he’s on the field and just really brings that juice.”

With five Longhorns on the team — and four of them together on defense — the Broncos will certainly have a Texas vibe this fall.

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