Broncos Star Receiver Joins Key Linebacker In Injury Parade

The Denver Broncos are getting nicked up in their initial training camp practices, and it’s hitting their stars hard. 

Today’s casualty du jour was new receiver Jaylen Waddle, who joined star linebacker Nik Bonitto on the sidelines after leaving practice early due to hamstring tightness, according to a report from Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk that referenced Nick Kosmider of The Athletic

The concern level is low at this point, as this sort of thing happens with every team in training camp. According to Williams’ report, the 27-year old Waddle went to the locker room during an individual period and did not return. 

Star possession receiver Courtland Sutton was also MIA for a second straigth day. He had what coach Sean Payton called a “vet day,” which is apparently Payton code for veterans being able to either take it easy or take a day off. 

Payton didn’t specify why Sutton missed today’s practice, but he did say the receiver will return tomorrow. 

Yesterday’s casualty was linebacker Nik Bonitto, who went down in a rushing drill and wound up limping off the field, initially with the help of two trainers before he was able to right the ship and exit under his own power. 

Williams also noted that Bonitto worked on the side field, per Kosmider, but the nature of his injury hasn’t been disclosed, nor has it been revealed when he’ll be back on the field. Payton did say “he’ll be fine” when he was asked about Bonitto yesterday, but so far there are no reports of further comments today. 

Normal though this may all be, it’s fair to ask about Payton’s practice tactics. He’s notorious for going six days a week in an era in which many coaches have dialed back the frequency and the intensity of training camp practices. 

It’s impossible to question Payton’s coaching success and track record, of course, but this is veteran team that went 14-3 and got within a field goal of the Super Bowl, so from that perspective these kinds of questions are fair game. 

It will be interesting to see if Payton does back off, at least, given how important Bonitto and Waddle are to the Broncos success this season. Waddle is expected to energize an offense that struggled with inconsistency, while Bonitto is a key pass rusher on a defense that terrorized opponents and nearly wound up breaking the NFL’s all-time sack record.