Tempers boiled over during an intense Tuesday session at Denver Broncos training camp, marking what reporters described as the most heated practice of the Sean Payton era. Day 13 featured the pads back on and multiple skirmishes breaking out across the field after more than two weeks of the team practicing against each other.
Intense Altercation Erupts During Day 13 of Training Camp
The situation escalated late in the workout when edge rusher Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper collapsed the pocket on quarterback Bo Nix, sending the starting quarterback to the ground for the second time during the practice. Shortly thereafter, linebacker Alex Singleton intercepted a pass from Nix, and the ball was punched out, triggering a major pile-up of players on the field.
During the ensuing melee, a heated Bonitto had to be held back by multiple teammates according to observations noted by Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Still angry about being knocked down and the interception, Nix pulled the star edge rusher off the pile by his leg. Reserve offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton emerged from the skirmish bleeding from his face and was forced to head to the locker room accompanied by a trainer holding an ice pack above his eye. Despite the dramatic confrontation, both Nix and Bonitto swiftly returned to the field for the subsequent set of team drills.
Earlier Skirmishes Set the Stage for Practice Fights
The friction had been building throughout the Denver Broncos training camp session. Earlier in the practice, rookie tight end Justin Joly said something that provoked the defense, resulting in a 4-on-1 defensive skirmish directed at Joly. That initial incident was broken up, but moments later, undrafted rookie linebacker Taurean York de-cleated Joly on a crossing route, sending the defensive unit into a frenzy.
Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post noted the extreme intensity of the day, which arrived as the team prepared to release some accumulated tension during an upcoming preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday.
Coaches and Quarterback Address Non-Negotiable Rules
Following the conclusion of practice, members of the coaching staff addressed the media regarding the physical nature of the workout and the strict rule against making contact with the quarterback. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and offensive coordinator Davis Webb emphasized that players must avoid hitting the quarterback during camp sessions.
Your season depends on Nix, and you don't want to get him hurt from friendly fire,
staff members noted, stressing that players know to avoid the quarterback even when competitive periods get aggressive. Coaches remarked that while they want competitive periods where the offense and defense push each other to improve, hitting or bringing the quarterback to the ground is entirely against the rules and non-negotiable.
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Speaking to reporters after the session, Nix offered an enthusiastic assessment of the competitive atmosphere reported by Yahoo Sports, stating plainly, “I love it.”
It's football. It's getting me ready for the games coming up, and it's a physical practice out there played by physical people,
Nix said. He added that while he should not be touched or sent to the ground, the high intensity and fire displayed by both units during the dog days of summer ultimately serve to prepare the team for upcoming competition.
