ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Day 11 of Broncos training camp brought pressure in more ways than one.

The Broncos' defense dialed up blitzes for much of Wednesday's practice, which gave the defense a chance to work on getting to the quarterback and provided the offense with an opportunity to respond to pressure.

"There's a lot of communication," Head Coach Sean Payton said of how the Broncos' offense needed to handle the pressure. "We're installing a third-down package. Defensively, they are as well. Some of the looks we get, we need to change the protection. That's the biggest thing, is communication [about] protection. Is it staying on, or are we changing it? That's where the stress is."

The Broncos worked against the blitz in both third-down and end-of-game situations, which brought about an entirely different type of pressure.

In third-down work, the Broncos' defense was stifling at times. Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper likely would have recorded sacks in back-to-back snaps against the first-team offense, and defensive lineman Jordan Jackson added another as the Broncos' defensive line closed in around the quarterback.

"He's physical," Payton said of Cooper. "Certainly we felt like he's one of our starting edge players who brings a physicality to how he plays. I think just the added reps and experience from last year will help him. He's someone the players look up to."

Inside linebacker Levelle Bailey broke free for another potential sack, and he also made a play in the Broncos' end-of-game work.

Denver started the last-minute scenario at the plus-37-yard line, with the offense trailing by six points with 51 seconds to play. Quarterback Bo Nix navigated the defensive pressure to move the ball to the 13-yard line via completions to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey and tight end Lucas Krull. Ultimately, though, three shots into the end zone fell incomplete, and cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian earned the game-clinching pass breakup as time expired.

In quarterback Jarrett Stidham's attempt, wide receiver Devaughn Vele made a pair of critical plays. First, he hauled in a 21-yard completion from Stidham that pushed the ball inside the red zone. Later, he drew a pass interference call on fourth-and-13 that would've earned the Broncos a first-and-goal at the 1-yard, as Payton said after practice. The Broncos, though, chose to practice the scenario from the 10-yard line — and Stidham's pass was batted into the air in the end zone, where Bailey snagged it for an interception.

Quarterback Zach Wilson led his unit to the lone score of the period, as he found wide receiver Troy Franklin in the back of the end zone for a 23-yard game-winning touchdown.

Asked after practice if Franklin got his feet inbounds, Wilson smiled.

"Yeah, of course," Wilson said. "Touchdown."

Wilson also expanded on the value of facing the pressure looks that the defense provided on Wednesday.

"You kind of get to diagnose it and then make the best decision for the team," Wilson said. "Is it good to check out of something here [and] get us into something where I can get the ball out of my hands quick? Or do I feel like I know what pressure's coming and I can make a protection call and keep the play on? It's a great challenge — and I feel like when you nail it and you make the right call, it's the best feeling. There's nothing better than the defense throwing something crazy at you and you make the right play."

QUICK HITS

… Cornerback Art Green forced the other turnover of Wednesday's practice, as he ripped the ball free from the running back and the defense recovered the loose ball.

… While the Broncos' defense brought pressure for most of practice, Denver's quarterbacks were sharp early in the session. Nix fit a ball in for a 20-yard completion to tight end Greg Dulcich during seven-on-seven action and later made nice plays to find Vele and wide receiver David Sills. Stidham, meanwhile, was sharp in seven-on-seven action and hit Sills on a post during 11-on-11 work. Wilson connected with running back Jaleel McLaughlin and wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. for gains during his seven-on-seven reps.

… Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was among the Broncos who did not practice, but Payton said he thinks the third-year rusher is "close" to returning. Payton said he did not have an update on safety Brandon Jones and cornerback Levi Wallace, who did not practice with hamstring injuries. Inside linebacker Justin Strnad (groin) returned to practice.