ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — In the final 11-on-11 work of Denver's Thursday training camp practice, the football didn't hit the ground.
Working in the red zone, all three of the Broncos' quarterbacks were accurate and delivered a series of strong throws.
From Jarrett Stidham throwing a strike to Tim Patrick in the middle of the end zone to Zach Wilson finding Lucas Krull at the near pylon to Bo Nix firing a quick pass to Michael Bandy, the Broncos' quarterbacks found ways to make plays.
"All three of them, I thought, had a good day today," Head Coach Sean Payton said after practice.
In another opportunity working with the first-team offense, Stidham delivered an across-the-middle throw to Krull in seven-on-seven action and hit Humphrey on a comeback route in 11-on-11 action.
Wilson, meanwhile, rolled out on another red-zone rep to find running back Javonte Williams for a score, and he later found Greg Dulcich for another touchdown.
Nix — a day after Payton said his work with the first-team offense went "overall, pretty well" — was sharp in 11-on-11 work. Perhaps his top moment of the day came in an early red-zone period when he stepped up to avoid pressure and lofted a throw to rookie Devaughn Vele, who leaped to make a touchdown grab in the back of the end zone.
Payton said the current quarterback rotation — which has seen Stidham and Nix alternate days taking first-team reps since Saturday — is "not etched in stone," but he noted that "it's hard to rotate three [quarterbacks] through the first group." Payton said the Broncos have not yet decided on the quarterback reps and rotation for Saturday's practice, which will be a different style of practice and feature move-the-ball work.
Following Saturday's practice, Payton said the Broncos will again meet to decide the rotation for the week ahead of their first preseason game in Indianapolis.
STARRING IN THE SLOT
After playing just one game in 2022, cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian stormed onto the scene for the Broncos a year ago. The East Carolina product appeared in 16 games and recorded two interceptions, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, seven tackles for loss and three quarterback hits.
In multiple games — such as the Broncos' wins over the Bills and Vikings — McMillian recorded key takeaways to help fuel Denver's defensive turnaround.
On Thursday in Denver, McMillian continued to make plays for the Broncos' defense. During one-on-one action, McMillian recorded an end-zone pass breakup working against Tim Patrick, and he later broke up a seven-on-seven back-shoulder pass to Lil'Jordan Humphrey. After practice, Payton said McMillian also "caught [the offense] on a pressure" after disguising a blitz well.
"I kind of felt like he's one of those players that kind of took a step into his own last year," Payton said. "Created a lot of turnovers. He's got really good football instincts, and I think that is a trait that's very important, because there are a lot of adjustments that take place for that player when the motion goes or leaves. His fits in the run game are different than maybe the corners or even the safeties sometimes. You're looking for someone [at slot cornerback] who's got high football IQ and good COD [change of direction], someone that can tackle. And then, of course, you're going to play man to man, so how does he hold up when he's covering in the slot?"
As training camp rolls on, McMillian has continued to show those traits.
QUICK HITS
… After three consecutive practices in full pads, the Broncos were in shells on Thursday. Payton said he believed the Broncos turned in "good work" during the shorter practice.
"Overall, I was pleased," Payton said. "I thought it was fairly crisp."
… Along a stout defensive line, the Broncos could soon gain another contributor. While Eyioma Uwazurike's suspension remains under review by the NFL, Payton expressed optimism that Uwazurike would soon be cleared to return to the team. Payton said Uwazurike has remained in "great shape" during his time away from the Broncos.
"We see that happening very soon, and that will be an additional player for us," Payton said. "We'll be glad to have him back. Good news on that front."
