Tag: Troy Franklin

WATCH: Broncos QB Bo Nix throws TD pass to Troy Franklin

Broncos QB Bo Nix throws a TD pass to WR Troy Franklin against the Chargers.

Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Troy Franklin in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

The score was set up by Devaughn Vele’s big catch-and-run:

The score marked Franklin’s first touchdown of his career. At the time of his publication, Denver is trailing Los Angeles 23-7.

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Broncos inactives: 7 players won’t play vs. Chargers

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Blake Watson, Kris Abrams-Draine, JL Skinner, Keidron Smith, Alex Palczewski and Greg Dulcich.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, safety JL Skinner, defensive back Keidron Smith, offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) and tight end Greg Dulcich are inactive today.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Chargers. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Of note for Los Angeles, star pass rusher Joey Bosa (hip) is inactive today.

Defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike is active for the first time this season. Wide receiver Devaughn Vele is also active following the Josh Reynolds injury and running back Audric Estime returns after being activated from injured reserve on Saturday.

Broncos inactives

  1. QB Zach Wilson*
  2. RB Blake Watson
  3. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  4. DB JL Skinner
  5. DB Keidron Smith
  6. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  7. TE Greg Dulcich

The Broncos’ game against the Chargers will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, Denver is considered an underdog against L.A. this week.

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5 Broncos players to watch in Week 6 vs. Chargers

The 3-2 Broncos are coming off three straight superb wins. In Week 6, the Chargers have several Broncos players to keep an eye on in Denver.

We’ve got a big Week 6 matchup between two AFC West opponents in the Chargers and Broncos. A month into the season, and the two squads are in the thick of the AFC Wild Card race.

This matchup could be a deciding factor in earning a playoff spot later this season. With that, here are a few Broncos players to watch for Sunday’s key contest.

RB Javonte Williams

Williams is finally looking like his old self now over two years removed from a significant knee injury. He looked mostly ineffective in the first few weeks, but the former Tar Heel has seen his burst reappear in recent weeks. He’s been able to run the ball much better for an average of 4.8 yards per carry in the last two games. Williams is still searching for his first touchdown of the season, but he’s still someone that the Chargers defense will need to contain in Week 6.

WR Troy Franklin

This one is a bit of a sleeper, as the rookie has just five catches for 29 yards this season. Franklin was just selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft out of Oregon where he played with Broncos quarterback Bo Nix. The rookie duo just barely missed on a deep ball touchdown last week, which could be a sign of things to come. Franklin has the speed that should keep the Chargers’ defense honest.

DL Zach Allen

His name still goes a bit under the radar to casual fans, but he’s quietly having an elite 2024 campaign. The six-year veteran has established himself as one of the best defensive linemen in football. The Chargers cannot allow him to take over this game or else it could be a long day. In five games this season, Allen has registered three sacks, five tackles for loss, and 12 quarterback hits.

LB Justin Strnad

Due to injuries, Strnad has stepped into the starting lineup in the last two games. He’s played awfully well, particularly in the run game. In the two starts, he has had 13 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Strnad’s impact on Sunday’s game will play a deciding factor in who wins this divisional tilt.

CB Riley Moss

Pat Surtain II gets the attention in this secondary, but Moss has been phenomenal in 2024. The two have formed arguably the best cornerback duo in the NFL through the first month of the season. The Iowa product snagged his first career interception in Week 4, and Pro Football Focus ranks him as the seventh-best cornerback in 2024. In other words, the Chargers may have some trouble throwing the ball at these Broncos cornerbacks.

Broncos QB Bo Nix takes blame for Troy Franklin’s drop: ‘I overthrew it’

“I wouldn’t put that as a drop on him … I overthrew it,” Broncos QB Bo Nix said of WR Troy Franklin’s drop against the Raiders.

Late in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix launched a deep pass to wide receiver Troy Franklin, his former Oregon teammate.

Franklin ran under the pass in the end zone but failed to haul it in. After an eventual 34-18 win, Nix took the blame for Franklin’s drop.

“I wouldn’t put that as a drop on him,” Nix said in his postgame press conference. “That was probably a 60-yard ball that he had to track down and catch. The fact that he got to it when I overthrew it was pretty impressive.

“Those are ones that you watch on Sundays, and sometimes you just miss. It was good for him to get his first catch on the over [route]. I thought he’s very close to breaking out. I think that I can help him a lot more than what I am. It was very close. So we’d love to have it back, and I’ll put probably a yard less on it, and he’ll catch it.”

https://twitter.com/sharpfootball/status/1843053787814248490?

Franklin ended the day with one catch for 20 yards. That was a very diplomatic response from Nix that demonstrated good leadership. Had he taken a yard off the pass, Franklin would not have needed to stretch as much to attempt to catch it. Still, NFL teams expect receivers to catch the ball when it hits them in the hands.

There’s plenty of room for improvement for Nix, Franklin and the entire offense, but the unit does appear to be trending in the right direction.

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Broncos inactives: TE Greg Dulcich won’t play vs. Raiders

Broncos inactives vs. Raiders today: QB Zach Wilson*, WR Devaughn Vele, CB Kris Abrams-Draine, TE Greg Dulcich and DL Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of five inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, tight end Greg Dulcich, wide receiver Devaughn Vele, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike are inactive today.

With Dulcich a healthy scratch, tight end Lucas Krull is set to make his 2024 debut today.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Raiders. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Broncos inactives

  1. QB Zach Wilson*
  2. WR Devaughn Vele
  3. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  4. TE Greg Dulcich
  5. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver elevated linebacker Levelle Bailey from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. Bailey will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on Fox. The Broncos are considered favorites at home this week.

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Broncos inactives: Devaughn Vele won’t play vs. Jets

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Devaughn Vele, Blake Watson, Kris Abrams-Draine, JL Skinner, Lucas Krull and Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, wide receiver Devaughn Vele, running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, safety JL Skinner (ankle), tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike are inactive today.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Jets. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Broncos inactives

  1. QB Zach Wilson*
  2. WR Devaughn Vele
  3. RB Blake Watson
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. DB JL Skinner
  6. TE Lucas Krull
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver elevated linebacker Levelle Bailey and defensive back Tanner McCalister from the practice squad to the game-day roster. Bailey and McCalister will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). New York is considered a home favorite against Denver this week.

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LOOK: 4 former Oregon Ducks featured in Broncos-Bucs game

Former Oregon Ducks Bo Nix, Bucky Irving, Alex Forsyth and Troy Franklin met up at midfield after the Broncos-Bucs game on Sunday.

The Denver Broncos‘ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday featured four former Oregon Ducks who were teammates in college.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (2022-’23), center Alex Forsyth (2017-’22) and wide receiver Troy Franklin (2021-’23) were teammates with Bucs running back Bucky Irving (2021-’23) at Oregon.

Nix impressed on Sunday by going 25-of-36 passing for 216 yards with no sacks and no turnovers in a 26-7 victory, his first win the NFL. Nix also rushed nine times for 47 yards and one score on the ground.

Franklin hauled in two receptions for 11 yards. Forsyth is a backup offensive lineman for Denver. Irving had a big game for Tampa Bay, rushing nine times for 70 yards while adding three receptions for 14 yards.

After the game, the four players got together for a photo:

https://twitter.com/ByJonHeath/status/1837973557160431762

Nix and Irving also met up near midfield before the game:

https://twitter.com/Buccaneers/status/1837882829104906701?

And they took photos after the game:

(Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
(Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

Oregon’s football program was certainly well-represented at Raymond James Stadium in Florida on Sunday afternoon.

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Broncos inactives: Devaughn Vele won’t play vs. Bucs

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Devaughn Vele, JL Skinner, Blake Watson, Kris Abrams-Draine, Lucas Krull and Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety JL Skinner (ankle), wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs), running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike are inactive today.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Bucs. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver elevated running back Tyler Badie and defensive back Tanner McCalister from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday.

The Broncos’ game against the Buccaneers will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a road underdog in Week 3.

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Sean Payton hints at potential personnel changes for Broncos

“We have to start really looking at who we are asking to do what,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.

Two weeks into the 2024 season, the Denver Broncos are struggling to move the ball and score points.

Broncos coach Sean Payton has attributed those struggles to several factors, including his own scheme and play-calling. Payton has also said Denver might be rotating in too many different players, and he seemed to hint that some personnel changes could be on the way.

“I just finished telling the coaches that that side of the ball needs to get cleaned up,” Payton said after a 13-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. “That starts with me. We have to start really looking at who we are asking to do what. It was frustrating because there were certain elements that went according to plan field position-wise. Our inability to score and convert third downs ultimately hurt us.”

Broncos running backs Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin have averaged 2.28 yards per carry this season, and improving the ground game is a point of emphasis this week.

Denver’s passing attack hasn’t been much better.

“When you run a play and it has success, you look at the pieces,” Payton said. “When you run a play and it does not have success, are we putting our guys in the best position? We are rotating a lot of different personnel groups in and out. I do not know if that is helping us quite honestly. We need to evaluate that closely relative to our personnel.”

Payton said Wednesday that he thinks “reducing the variables” could help the offense, perhaps by simplifying the offense and using fewer personnel groups. The coach might also make changes to the specific players involved.

“It’s something that I think you have to look at as a coach,” Payton said. “You have to start, ‘All right, what could we do better?’ I think that’s one of the things that we’ve talked about quite a bit. How do we reduce the variables, and then who’s doing it? Those two things I would point to.”

Payton did not mention any specific players by name, but tight end Greg Dulcich has struggled as a blocker and dropped two passes on Sunday, and the team’s receivers have been unremarkable while Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin have barely seen the field.

Already 0-2, the team now has a tough road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on deck. Changes could be coming for the desperate Broncos.

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Why aren’t the Broncos using Marvin Mims on offense?

“You get into trying to feed too many mouths and then no one eats,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the team’s WR rotation.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims played just 12 snaps on offense in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.

Broncos coach Sean Payton implied last week that the receiver’s limited snaps were not intentional but a result of the game flow.

“It’s part of the challenges when we have multiple receiver groups,” Payton said after Week 1. “Obviously, we anticipated him getting more than just 12 [snaps]. A lot of it depends on how much of the game we’re playing in nickel on offense, three receiver sets or base sets. That can vary, but I think you’ll see his pitch count week-to-week, depending on the team we’re playing, go up.”

After those remarks from Payton, many fans expected to see Mims get more reps in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, the receiver played just nine snaps on offense.

Troy Franklin was also active in Week 2 because Devaughn Vele was out with a rib injury. Franklin played 12 snaps on offense, but he only received one target. Surely, the Broncos could utilize the speed of Mims and Franklin to jumpstart their struggling offense with some deep shots?

“We [have] a few personnel tags, it’s just trying to find the right combinations,” Payton said. “You get into trying to feed too many mouths and then no one eats. I think it’s a fair question relative to the explosiveness, or what we’re trying to do down the field.”

The top three mouths that Payton is feeding at the moment are Courtland Sutton, Josh Reynolds and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Vele was above Humphrey before his injury. It seems that there are few targets (or snaps) left over for Mims and Franklin.

We don’t see what the coaches see in practice every day, but it’s perplexing that Mims and Franklin haven’t been able to get more involved, and we still don’t have a clear explanation for their limited utilization.

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