The Broncos’ focus is obviously on training camp practices and preparing for their Sept. 14 opener against Tennessee, but they are keeping tabs on the Nuggets and Avalanche in the playoffs.
And running back Phillip Lindsay, a Denver native, wants the Broncos to join in on the fun.
“Let’s be real: You don’t want to be the only Colorado team not in the playoffs,” Lindsay said after practice Wednesday. “That doesn’t feel good, to have basketball doing well and hockey doing well and the Rockies were doing well and have to get back on track — you don’t want to be the odd man out.”
Coach Vic Fangio saluted Nuggets coach Michael Malone for their Game 7 win over Utah on Tuesday.
“I didn’t see the game because it was during our meetings, but I saw the highlights and it was a great win for the Nuggets,” said Fangio, who has attended several games since moving to Denver in January 2019. “They’re in the Elite Eight now, paralleling it to the NCAA tournament. Especially coming back from down 3–1 — your best players have to pull you through those situations and obviously, (Jamal) Murray did it the previous two games and (Nikola) Jokic did it (in Game 7). Very happy for Mike and that group.”
Lindsay said ing Murray’s performance is “inspiring.”
“That team in general, they’re young and like us in a way,” he said. “They all gel. To see them get down and find a way to get over the obstacle and win, they’re going to be a great team for a long time.”
Miller gets day off. Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller missed his second practice of camp — he sat out Aug. 21 (elbow).
“Basically a vet day (off),” Fangio said.
Also not practicing were outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee), inside linebacker Todd Davis (calf), right guard Graham Glasgow (ankle) and tight ends Troy Fumagalli (abdominal) and Austin Fort (knee).
Asked about Chubb and Glasgow, Fangio said: “Chubb’s the same. He’s getting better. He’ll be back out there soon. Glasgow is getting better. I think we’ll see him out there next week.”
Cornerback Michael Ojemudia (quad), safety Alijah Holder (soft tissue) and receivers KJ Hamler (hamstring) and Juwann Winfree (groin) did individual drills with their position groups before doing side-field work.
“Kind of the natural progression,” Fangio said. “(We’ll) see how they did (Wednesday) and evaluate them for Thursday and Friday.”
Bassey’s opportunity. Cornerback Essang Bassey probably has the best chance among the undrafted free agents to make the initial 53-man roster and that was evident when Fangio gave him a shot as the first-team nickel back in practice.
“I decided (Tuesday) night and told him when we started team work to take the reps with the first (defense),” Fangio said. “It was more of a test for him — it wasn’t a (permanent) move or anything — just to see how he reacted and how he would do. … I thought he did pretty (darn) good.”
Back to stadium. Fangio said the Broncos will practice Friday at Mile High (7:30 p.m.) to semi-simulate the conditions of their opener against Tennessee (8:20 p.m.).
“(It will) be a similar format to what we did last (Saturday at the stadium),” he said. “It will give our guys a chance to get down there and see the lights, especially for some of the receivers and the guys who haven’t done that there.”