ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The window was small, but it hardly mattered.
Late in the Broncos' Wednesday training camp practice, wide receiver Josh Reynolds took off down the left sideline with veteran cornerback Levi Wallace in tight coverage.
Facing a third-down scenario, quarterback Zach Wilson lofted the ball down the field — and Reynolds capped a strong practice with another highlight-reel catch. With Wallace glued to his hip, Reynolds leaped into the air and adjusted his body to haul in the contested deep pass.
The sideline grab was one of several impressive plays from the former Lions receiver, who also snagged a jump ball from Bo Nix in 11-on-11 action and caught another pass from Nix in stride in the middle of the field.
"He's a tough player," Head Coach Sean Payton said. "He's got range. You saw today; there were a number of 50/50 balls that he ended up with. We had a good, clear vision for him, and I'm glad we have him."
Reynolds has contributed consistently during training camp, and Wednesday's practice was not his first with multiple catches in 11-on-11 work. Payton has also spoken to Reynolds' willingness to block and his love for the game.
On Wednesday, though, Reynolds' big-play ability stood out.
"Look, the guy that jumped out was Josh Reynolds," Payton said after practice. "Shoot, he had three or four catches that were something else."
'I LIKE HIS PROGRESS'
Wilson delivered the sideline pass to Reynolds and threaded the needle to Michael Bandy in 11-on-11 action, while Jarrett Stidham showed the ability to step up in the pocket to deliver a strike to Lil'Jordan Humphrey.
Rookie Bo Nix, though, took the first-team reps — and Payton said after practice he thought Nix performed "overall, pretty well" on Wednesday.
"There are clips and plays … you're going to look at and correct, and then there are others where you're going to say, 'Hey—' but I do have to watch the film because I'm looking at so much," Payton said.
In addition to Nix's completions to Reynolds, he also hung in the pocket to find Greg Dulcich and delivered a 25-yard third-down throw to Courtland Sutton in between a pair of defenders. Nix — who noticeably pushed the ball down the field on Wednesday — also threw an on-target pass to Marvin Mims Jr., but inside linebacker Alex Singleton jarred the ball free.
"I like his progress," Payton said of Nix.
QUICK HITS
… Denver's defense continues to be active in the backfield, as Singleton, outside linebacker Baron Browning and cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian all would have recorded tackles for loss at points during practice. Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach and outside linebackers Ronnie Perkins and Thomas Incoom were among the players who likely would've posted sacks in game situations.
… In 9-on-7 action, Singleton and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper were among the defenders to post strong plays. Singleton recorded a would-be tackle for loss, while Cooper would have laid a strong hit on the running back.
… During one-on-one reps, cornerback Pat Surtain II showed sticky coverage and recorded a pair of pass breakups against Sutton and Tim Patrick. Sutton later made a contested sideline catch during the period, and Reynolds caught a deep pass, as well.
