Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos explores a recent incident during the team’s Week 9 training session, where three key players—wide receiver Courtland Sutton, defensive tackle D.J. Jones, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II—exited practice ahead of schedule, sparking questions from fans, media, and analysts about their health and the team’s overall preparation amid a tight AFC West race. The Broncos, sitting at 5-3 and just one game behind the Kansas City Chiefs, have little room for injury setbacks as they head into a critical stretch of the season, including upcoming matchups against the Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills. While the team’s initial statement framed the early departures as “precautionary” and “planned,” the timing—coming one week after right guard Ben Powers was sidelined with a high ankle sprain—has fueled speculation about underlying health concerns. Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos highlights how even minor roster uncertainties can escalate for a win-now team, and why clarity around player availability has become a priority for the Broncos’ coaching staff and front office.

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos starts with the details of the incident itself, which unfolded during the Broncos’ outdoor practice at UCHealth Training Center on a crisp October morning. The session, originally scheduled to run 90 minutes, focused on red-zone offense and defensive run-stopping—key areas for the upcoming Ravens game. Sutton was the first to leave, exiting the field midway through practice after participating in a series of 7-on-7 drills; he was seen walking to the medical tent with a member of the training staff, though he did not appear to be in visible pain. Jones followed 15 minutes later, after a team drill where he squared off against offensive linemen; he later told reporters he “felt a tweak” in his lower back and wanted to avoid worsening it. Surtain, the team’s shutdown cornerback, was the last to depart, leaving with 10 minutes remaining in practice to undergo a “scheduled maintenance session” for his ankle—a lingering issue from Week 6. “We have a protocol for these things,” said Broncos head athletic trainer Steve Antonopulos. “If a player feels anything off, we pull them immediately. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially this time of year.” Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos underscores how the team’s focus on injury prevention has led to these proactive moves, even if they spark short-term concern.

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos delves into the team’s official response and the context behind the “precautionary” label, which has become a common term in NFL circles to balance transparency with privacy. Head coach Sean Payton addressed the media shortly after practice, emphasizing that none of the three players had suffered new injuries and that their early exits were part of the Broncos’ broader health and wellness strategy. “Courtland has been dealing with a minor knee irritation—nothing serious—but we wanted to limit his reps today to keep him fresh,” Payton explained. “D.J.’s back has been a non-issue all season, but he mentioned a tightness, so we pulled him. And Patrick’s ankle work is routine—we do this every week to keep it strong.” The Broncos also released a short video on social media showing Sutton and Surtain working with trainers in the facility after practice, laughing and joking, in an effort to ease fan worries. However, some analysts noted that the timing of the exits—coming just days before a divisional showdown—was notable. “In the NFL, ‘precautionary’ can mean a lot of things,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “But for the Broncos, who can’t afford to lose any of these guys, it’s a smart move to err on the side of caution. Better to miss part of a practice than miss a game.” Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos recognizes how the team’s response reflects a balance between keeping players healthy and managing public perception.

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos underscores how the Denver Broncos’ recent injury history has made fans and media more sensitive to early practice departures, even when they’re labeled as precautionary. The team has already lost Powers for 4-6 weeks, and linebacker Drew Sanders missed two games in September with a shoulder injury. In 2023, the Broncos’ season was derailed by a wave of injuries to key players, including quarterback Russell Wilson (who missed three games with a hamstring issue) and running back Javonte Williams (who sat out two games with an ankle sprain). This history has created a “trust but verify” mindset among Broncos fans, who took to social media to ask for more details about Sutton, Jones, and Surtain’s status. “Last year, we heard ‘precautionary’ and then players were out for weeks,” one fan tweeted. “I hope this is different, but I’m nervous.” The Denver Broncos’ front office is aware of this tension, which is why they’ve increased their communication with fans this season—including weekly “health updates” from Antonopulos. “We understand the concern,” Antonopulos said. “Our fans care about this team, and they want to know the truth. We’re trying to be as transparent as possible without compromising our players’ privacy or competitive advantage.” This approach has helped ease some worries, but the team knows that only game-day availability will fully reassure fans.

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos highlights how the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff has adjusted practice plans to accommodate player health, even if it means shorter reps for key contributors. Payton, who has a reputation for being meticulous about practice design, has implemented a “load management” system this season, where players with a history of injuries or minor irritations are given reduced reps on certain days. For example, Surtain now participates in full drills on Mondays and Wednesdays but has limited reps on Fridays and Saturdays to protect his ankle. Sutton, who dealt with a knee injury in college, undergoes weekly stem cell treatments to reduce inflammation and is pulled from practice if he reports any discomfort. “Practice is about preparation, not punishment,” Payton said. “If a player can get the work he needs in 60 minutes instead of 90, that’s better for his long-term health. We’re not trying to win practice—we’re trying to win games.” The Denver Broncos’ players have embraced this approach, with Sutton noting that “the coaches have our backs. They know when we need to take it easy, and that makes us trust them more.” This trust has translated to on-field success, as the Broncos have one of the lowest injury rates among skill-position players in the AFC this season.

Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos concludes with how the Denver Broncos’ handling of these early practice departures reflects a mature, win-now mindset that prioritizes long-term success over short-term optics. By pulling players at the first sign of discomfort, the Broncos are reducing the risk of season-altering injuries and ensuring that their key contributors are available for the playoffs. This approach is particularly important given the team’s championship window—built around Wilson, Surtain, and a dominant defense—which is widely seen as open now but may narrow in the coming years. “We have a chance to do something special this season,” said Wilson, who has not missed a practice this year. “But that only happens if we’re all healthy. The coaches’ focus on our health isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.” The Denver Broncos’ organization also knows that fan and media concern is a sign of investment in the team, and they’ve worked to turn that concern into confidence by being consistent and transparent. As the Broncos head into their Week 9 game against the Ravens, all three players who left practice early are expected to start—a outcome that validates the team’s precautionary approach. Left Practice Early for the Denver Broncos ends with a clear takeaway: in the NFL, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about managing that talent wisely. The Broncos’ handling of these early practice departures shows that they’re doing just that, and that they’re serious about competing for a Super Bowl this season.