Tag: safety

Justin Simmons gives his take on Broncos QB Bo Nix

Falcons safety Justin Simmons said Broncos quarterback Bo Nix “has gotten tremendously better each and every week.”

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix had a huge game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, completing 28-of-33 passes for 307 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in a 38-6 win.

After the game, Falcons safety Justin Simmons — a former Bronco — was asked for his thoughts on Nix.

“I said it in a podcast with Todd Davis leading up to the game — I think the progression from Bo watching tape, leading up to this game from week one to now Week 11 has gotten tremendously better each and every week,” Simmons said. “When you have a really good arm, and you trust your arm, it can be hard in the pocket not to take the deep shot.

“For the most part, we were taking away the deep plays that they wanted to run, and he was just being consistent and checking it down and letting his skill players do what they have done all year. Taking a check down and getting nine or 10 yards, moving the chains and running the ball really well. Just operating at a high level and defensively we couldn’t break that. You can’t expect to come into a hostile environment and expect to win with that defensive effort. It’s not nearly good enough for us.”

Simmons ended the game with five tackles, including one tackle behind the line. He embraced former teammates after the game and thanked Broncos fans for a warm welcome back to Denver. The Broncos never made the playoffs during Simmons’ eight years in Denver. Unfortunately for the safety, the Broncos now appear to be on track to make the postseason in their first year without Simmons.

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Broncos players lined up to hug Justin Simmons after beating Falcons

Broncos players lined up to hug Justin Simmons after beating the Falcons on Sunday. Simmons also thanked fans after the game.

After the Denver Broncos defeated the Atlanta Falcons in a blowout 38-6 win over Sunday, safety Justin Simmons exchanged post-game hugs with many of his former teammates.

Romi Bean of KCNC-TV shared a 30-second video on Twitter/X showing Broncos players lining up to embrace Simmons. The video shows kicker Wil Lutz, running back Javonte Williams, cornerback Riley Moss (who Simmons called “White Lightning”), safety Devon Key and wide receiver Marvin Mims exchanging hugs after the game.

Simmons, 30, played for the Broncos from 2016-2023 before being cut earlier this year. Ahead of Sunday’s game, Simmons dropped a f-bomb on his former team during a pre-game speech. The safety probably didn’t expect cameras to pick up the audio of that pre-game huddle.

After the game, Simmons sang a different tune.

“It was emotional,” Simmons said of returning to Denver. “Obviously, I played the last eight years here. A lot of good memories and it was bittersweet. First, I’m thankful for the warm embrace with the fans and (I) got to see some of my old teammates. It stinks being on the opposite side and coming away with the loss, a bad loss at that.

“We didn’t execute nearly well enough on defense to give us a chance to win this game. That’s a credit to their offense and how they were operating. It makes the whole thing bittersweet, but I did want to say thank you to the fans and the people that I got to see. The staff that I’ve known and gotten to know the previous eight years. I am super grateful and I’m also standing up here with a heavy heart of a really tough loss.”

Simmons ended the day with five tackles, including one tackle behind the line of scrimmage. He was on the opposite end of Javonte Williams’ touchdown run in the second quarter. “I was trying to tell them this boy run hard,” Simmons told Williams after the game.

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Broncos release Friday injury report: Starting safety questionable for Sunday

Broncos safety Brandon Jones (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons.

Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (abdomen) is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after being limited in all three days of practice this week.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said “hopefully he’s ready” when asked about Jones after Friday’s practice.

Elsewhere on the injury front, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger), safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) all fully participated in practice this week but they have been ruled out for Sunday.

Reynolds is eligible to return from injured reserve and Turner-Yell and Sanders are eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list. The Broncos will need to open up roster spots when those three players are activated, but it won’t happen this week.

Meanwhile, the Falcons have a long injury report with eight players ruled out this week.

The Broncos’ complete Friday injury report can be seen below.

Player Wed Thur Fri Game Status
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Full Full Full
WR Josh Reynolds (hand) Full Full Full Out
LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) Full Full Full Out
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) Full Full Full Out
DE Zach Allen (elbow/NIR – rest) Limited Full Full
DB Brandon Jones (abdomen) Limited Limited Limited Questionable

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered slight favorites in Week 11.

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Did Jessie Bates take a subtle shot at Bo Nix ahead of Broncos-Falcons game?

Falcons safety Jessie Bates went viral after he said there’s “10 years” of college film of Bo Nix, but that quote needs proper context.

Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates went viral on Friday after aggregation accounts on Twitter/X started re-sharing a video of him saying he’s been watching Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix playing at the college level for the last 10 years.

There’s some context to the quote, though.

Bates started his answer on Nix by saying the Falcons have enough NFL film to study from the QB’s time in the NFL.

“Ten games, usually, that’s enough film to really see a quarterback’s strengths or weaknesses or what they like to do,” Bates said on Friday, via Raphael Haynes of The 3 Point Conversion. “[There’s] kind of multiple years where we can go back and watch what he does. … We’ve been watching him in college for, you know, the past five or six years, however long it was.”

Media members then interjected “Ten years!” with laughter and Bates said, “Ten years, whatever it is.”

It seemed to be a harmless remark from Bates with the “10 years” quip being prompted by media in attendance.

“He’s not [like] a rookie quarterback — seems like he’s a graduate student almost,” Bates continued. “He’s doing a good job … running their offense at a high level.”

The Broncos do not view Nix’s extensive college experience as a negative. Coaches and players both said this offseason that Nix appeared more poised and polished than a typical rookie because of his college experience.

Nix spent five years at the college level before entering the NFL. Atlanta’s rookie quarterback, Michael Penix, spent six years in college.

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Broncos bring back recently-cut safety on practice squad

After being cut by the Broncos and clearing waivers, safety Keidron Smith returned to the team on the practice squad.

After being cut by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday, safety Keidron Smith returned to the team on Thursday and signed with the practice squad.

Denver had room for Smith on the practice squad after promoting fullback Michael Burton to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) led the team in tackles (10) and interceptions (two) during preseason. He also broke up two passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble this summer. After making the 53-man roster, the 25-year-old safety dressed for eight games this season, playing primarily on special teams.

The Broncos now have four safeties remaining on the active roster: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner. A fifth safety could soon join them as Delarrin Turner-Yell has returned to practice and he is eligible to be activated from the physically unable to perform list.

More roster moves could be on deck for Denver later this week with multiple players ready to return from injured reserve and the PUP list. We will track all of the team’s moves on Broncos Wire.

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Sean Payton recalls ‘difficult’ decision to cut Justin Simmons

“That was difficult, I mean, holy cow,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the decision to cut Justin Simmons this spring.

Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons is set to return to Empower Field at Mile High this weekend to face the Denver Broncos, his old team.

Simmons, 30, was released by the Broncos this spring in a move that saved the team $14.5 million in salary cap space. Denver coach Sean Payton was asked about the decision to cut Simmons after Wednesday’s practice.

“That was difficult, I mean, holy cow,” Payton said. “I remember him coming out in the draft. I remember — look, I was just with him a season, but it’s always difficult when you’re dealing — especially with a veteran — someone who’s played so well for the organization. Those are never easy decisions.”

Simmons will reunite with many former teammates on Sunday, including cornerback Pat Surtain. Simmons is still in a defensive back group chat that includes Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian and P.J. Locke.

“It’s going to be a lot different, obviously, my past few years here, he’s been on our side of the ball,” Surtain said Wednesday. “So it’s going to be very much different, but I’m excited for the reunion for sure. I know [there’s] a lot of anticipation leading up to it.

“I’m looking forward to it, I know he’s excited, we’re excited. We’re still connected in the group chat, so [there’s] going to be a lot of trash talk going into it. It’s going to be pretty cool.”

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox (view the TV map). Playing at home, the Broncos are considered slight favorites in Week 11.

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Justin Simmons isn’t the only ex-Bronco returning to Denver this week

Justin Simmons will return to Denver this week. He’ll be joined by three other former Broncos players who now play for the Falcons.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday in a game that will mark veteran safety Justin Simmons’ return to Empower Field at Mile High.

Simmons, 30, was released by the Broncos this spring in a move that saved the team $14.5 million in salary cap space. He signed with the Falcons in August.

A four-time second-team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler, Simmons is the most notable player returner to Denver this week. But he’s not the only ex-Bronco who now plays in Atlanta.

The Falcons also have former Denver offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson plus practice squad wide receiver Phillip Dorsett and cornerback Lamar Jackson, who just signed with Atlanta earlier this week.

Wilkinson played for the Broncos from 2017-2020, starting 26 games. Dorsett spent last season on Denver’s practice squad and Jackson spent time with the Broncos in 2022.

Simmons ranks seventh on Denver’s all-time interceptions list (30), and he has one interception with the Falcons this season.

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Courtland Sutton delivers funny message to ex-teammate Justin Simmons

“Hey, bro, if you see me coming across the middle, just remember we’re friends,” Broncos WR Courtland Sutton told Falcons DB Justin Simmons.

After being cut by the Denver Broncos this offseason, veteran safety Justin Simmons landed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Simmons is now set to return to Empower Field at Mile High to face his old team when the Broncos host the Falcons on Sunday.

Denver wide receiver Courtland Sutton was asked about Simmons’ return during his media availability on Wednesday. After a serious response to the question, Sutton revealed a funny message he delivered to his ex-teammate ahead of the matchup.

“It will be fun,” Sutton said when asked about playing against Simmons. “Justin’s my guy, man. I’m obviously sad that we don’t get to share a locker room together anymore, but I’m happy that he found another home — happy that the Falcons knew the value that they were getting with signing him.

“Watching him on film, he’s still Justin Simmons. He’s the guy that goes out there and makes plays. … He’s such a smart player, such a reliable player. Really good tackler. Really good player at finding the ball, man. It’s going to be fun getting to go against him.”

Then came the money quote: “You know, practicing against him for years is one thing, but to get live bullets is going to be fun,” Sutton said. “I jokingly told him, ‘Hey, bro, if you see me coming across the middle, just remember we’re friends.'”

Simmons (30) and Sutton (29) were teammates with the Broncos from 2018-2023. After facing off in practice every day for six seasons, the safety and receiver are now set to face off as opponents for the first time on Sunday.

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Justin Simmons expects to be booed by Broncos fans on Sunday

“I won’t hear as many cheers — probably a little bit more boos,” Falcons safety Justin Simmons said of facing the Broncos this week.

Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons will return to Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday and he doesn’t necessarily expect Denver Broncos fans to give him a warm welcome.

“I think running out in the stadium, obviously all those [elements] will be different,” Simmons said Wednesday, via WSB-TV’s Zach Klein. “I’ll be on the other side, in the away locker room changing and I’ll be on the opposite side of the sideline. You know, I won’t hear as many cheers — probably a little bit more boos — but, again, I think that’s part of it.”

It’s hard to imagine Broncos fans actually booing Simmons. He was a fan favorite in Denver as a team captain and leader in the community. The Broncos made the decision to release Simmons this spring to save salary cap space — and the safety was professional after being cut by the team. Fans in Denver have no reason to have any beef with Simmons.

Simmons also said he’s still in a group chat with defensive backs including Pat Surtain, Ja’Quan McMillian and P.J. Locke. Simmons said he might need to mute the chat this week to avoid the smack-talking and then talk to them in person after the game.

The always-professional Simmons made it clear that he still has love for the Broncos and their fans, but he’s focused on helping the Falcons get a win in Week 11.

“I know all this is, the highlight of most of it is going to be the return back to Denver and what that looks like,” Simmons said. “You know, honestly, it’s going to be a great game — I’m really looking forward to being there — but my focus … I wanted to make sure I gave love to the organization and to the fanbase there as they treated my family and I so well.

“And I do have nothing but love for the team and for the fanbase and for the community — that’s still home for us. But at the same time, too, I’m a Falcon and I’m really looking forward, just to keep reiterating it, going up there and finding a way to get our seventh win.”

A reasonable stance for the veteran safety to take. Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a home favorite in Week 11.

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Broncos make first of several roster moves on deck this week

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday. More roster moves are on deck this week.

The Denver Broncos have made the first of at least two roster moves on deck this week ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday, the team announced. Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) is a 25-year-old defensive back who made the 53-man roster after impressing during preseason this summer. He dressed for eight games this fall, totaling six tackles. Smith played 11 snaps on defense and 107 snaps on special teams before being waived.

Denver now has four safeties remaining on the active roster: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner. Delarrin Turner-Yell is currently on the physically unable to perform list, but he returned to practice last week. Turner-Yell will have one more week of eligibility to return to the 53-man roster.

Broncos fullback Michael Burton and linebacker Kwon Alexander are both out of practice squad elevations, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them promoted to the active roster to take Smith’s old spot. If he clears waivers, Denver will undoubtedly attempt to re-sign Smith to the practice squad.

In addition to Burton, Alexander and Turner-Yell, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are also candidates to return to the 53-man roster in the coming weeks. Denver will have to make room for the returning players, and Smith was the first domino to fall.

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