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Broncos lose “tremendous teammate” Quinn Bailey to fractured right ankle in first major injury blow of training camp

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Broncos lose “tremendous teammate” Quinn Bailey to fractured right ankle in first major injury blow of training camp


The Broncos sustained their first major injury loss of training camp Wednesday when offensive lineman Quinn Bailey fractured his right ankle during a 9-on-7 drill.

Head coach Sean Payton confirmed the fracture, though it was clear immediately that Bailey had sustained a major injury. Players reacted by looking away after the pile cleared and training staff immediately put an air cast over his lower right leg, moved Bailey onto a cart and took him to a waiting ambulance.

“(The fracture) was definitely apparent,” Payton said. “I’m not sure of the timeline relative to surgery, but that’s always tough to see and to be a part of when you’re at practice. It’s one of the sometimes bitter realities of our game. He was having a real good camp.”

Indeed, Bailey had cemented himself a place on the 53-man roster, Payton said. The fifth-year lineman played in all 17 games last year, mostly on special teams and as the offense’s jumbo tight end.

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“He’s a tremendous teammate,” Payton said. “A guy that all he does is work his tail off. The progress he made a year ago and all of a sudden, we were just discussing the roster the other day and he was easily for us lineman six. Someone who was going to be involved in the gameplan, jumbo (tight end).”

Instead, Bailey faces an extended absence.

Practice stopped for about five minutes after the injury. The offensive line, in particular, gathered up together for several minutes.

“He’ll have the support of everyone here,” Payton said.

Added tight end Greg Dulcich, “It’s devastating and you can only pray for him. The kind of guy he is, he’s going to attack the rehab and make sure he’s doing everything.”

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Jones not worried about contract: D.J. Jones is among a handful of Broncos players entering a contract year this fall.

The 29-year-old interior defensive lineman is entering the eighth year of his NFL career and his third season with the Broncos. It’s the final year of a $30 million deal he signed with Denver in 2022. He can make up to $10 million in base salary ($9.49 million) and roster bonuses ($510,000), but none of the money is guaranteed at this juncture.

“I’m in Year 8, man, I’m just playing football at this point,” Jones said Wednesday. “I want to dominate every day and get better every day. I’m not even thinking about that. I’ve done that before and it’s backfired on me. So I learned my lesson. I won’t be thinking about contracts.”

Preseason work for starters: Payton confirmed Wednesday that starters will once again play in preseason games this year for Denver.

That’s the way he operated last year and he said he thinks it’s an important part of preparing for the 17-game regular season.

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“We’re going to play our starters in the preseason,” he said. “I think it’s important to build callous. I think it’s important. Obviously, you weigh the reps. So Week 1 it’ll be a certain amount of snaps. Week 2 the same and then we’ll see where we’re at Week 3.”

Denver’s first preseason game is Aug. 11 at Indianapolis and then the team hosts Green Bay (Aug. 18) and Arizona (Aug. 25).

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Denver, CO

Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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Denver area events for March 5

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Denver area events for March 5


If you have an event taking place in the Denver area, email information to carlotta.olson@gazette.com at least two weeks in advance. All events are listed in the calendar on space availability. Thursday Camilla Vaitaitis Quartet — 6:30 p.m., Dazzle at Baur’s, 1080 14th St., Denver, go online for prices. Tickets: dazzledenver.com/#/events. Miguel — 7 p.m., Fillmore Auditorium, […]



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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back

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Report: Broncos expected to ‘make a splash’ at running back


The Denver Broncos are in the market for a running back.

Just two days after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Denver wants to have the running back position addressed before the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that the Broncos are “poised to make a splash” at running back during NFL free agency.

“Denver is the reason why the Jets used the franchise tag on Breece Hall rather than the transition tag, according to sources, making sure Denver wouldn’t get the opportunity to put together an offer the Jets would refuse to match,” Jones wrote for CBS Sports.

Jones said the Broncos would be an obvious potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker, and he noted that Travis Etienne could be a cheaper alternative. The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider also reported this week that Denver is expected to “closely examine” the RB market, and he name-dropped Walker, Etienne and Rico Dowdle.

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The Broncos also have an in-house free agent at RB in J.K. Dobbins, who has expressed his desire to remain in Denver. The Broncos can begin negotiating with pending free agents from other clubs on March 9, but no deals can become official until the new league year begins on March 11. In-house free agents can be re-signed at any time.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.



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