ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When safety P.J. Locke recorded his first career interception last season, something changed.

The interception helped seal Denver's victory against Green Bay and jump-started a stretch of strong performances for the fifth-year player, who will look to continue building momentum in 2024. Despite spending the first four weeks of the 2023 season on injured reserve, Locke recorded 53 tackles (33 solo), three sacks, five passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

While the injury prevented Locke from having the quick start that he will now be looking for in 2024, he believes the preparation he did on the sidelines played a key role in the success he found once he took the field.

"The biggest thing that helped me when I was hurt was putting the headsets on during the game," Locke said. "I was able to hear the game [Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph] was calling. … So when I got back, it was just a lot easier."

While Locke's role on the team may look different now than it did a year ago, he says that his approach to training has not changed.

"First team or not, I take my reps as if I was in first team," he said. "… I take the same approach. I'm going to meet with my coaches, and I'm going to try to figure out every small detail that I can work on in my game."

Locke is confident that this attention to detail, along with the depth of the safety room, will propel Denver's defense to success in 2024. Locke specifically looks forward to potentially having the opportunity to play alongside his former college teammates, Brandon Jones and Caden Sterns.

"I'm super excited," Locke said. "That's just chemistry you don't really have to work on. … The communication factor is there."

This trust and communication will be essential for the position group, which Locke identifies as the "quarterback of the defense." He noted that it will be important for the group to get comfortable playing in space, as well as making quick decisions on the field.

While Locke will focus on continuing to develop his skill set on the field, he is also eager to embrace a new leadership role off the field.

"It's my job to go in and figure out in my own way how to uphold that standard," Locke said. "So, that's a challenge, but at the same time, I know what comes with that."

SEAN PAYTON 'PLEASED' WITH RUNNING BACK ROOM

Head Coach Sean Payton has been impressed with several of the training camp competitions so far, and the running back room has specifically stood out recently.

"I think we're seeing real good competition at the running back position," Payton said. "Pick your player, we could talk about him."

Payton noted that the rookies of the group, Audric Estime and Blake Watson, are showing promise ahead of the 2024 season. Watson returned to the field on Thursday after starting training camp on the Non-Football Injury list.

Payton is also impressed with the returners, as Javonte Williams is fully healthy heading into 2024 and continues to show steady improvement.

"Javonte is down 10 pounds, [and] he looks like a completely different player," Payton said. "… He's fully healthy now, and you can see it in his play."

And after a breakout rookie season last year, Jaleel McLaughlin looks "more confident" to Payton, and he looks forward to seeing that translate to McLaughlin's performance on the field.

"I've just seen growth," Payton said. "… Each day there's something we see. [He] made a catch over here earlier, and he's really having a good camp."