Dre Greenlaw expected to be ‘fine’ after leaving practice early | Broncos notebook
ENGLEWOOD — The Broncos appear to have dodged an injury scare.
Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw exited training camp practice on Thursday after pulling up early in a one-on-one receiving drill against running back J.K. Dobbins. Greenlaw limped slightly before jogging into the locker room followed by athletic trainers. He did not return to practice.
Greenlaw — signed to a three-year, $35 million deal in free agency — previously dealt with a strained quadriceps muscle during the offseason program. He was a full participant in training camp until Thursday’s exit from practice. Greenlaw is projected to start alongside Alex Singleton at inside linebacker.
“I think he’s fine,” coach Sean Payton said when asked about Greenlaw’s health status. “In the one-on-one period, he felt it got tight (in) a different area, and so we’ll know more (later). We’ll go ahead and have all the precautionary work done, but I think he’ll be all right.”
It is unclear if Greenlaw will be available when the Broncos travel to play the 49ers, his former team, in their first preseason game Aug. 9.
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Officials visit
An NFL official game crew visited training camp practice Thursday. Payton explained the role they play in getting the Broncos prepared for the 2025 season.
“The officials get in the night before every year,” Payton said. “They’ll have a video, they’ll show the team, and then in the team meeting they’ll talk about the rule changes (and) points of emphasis. This year was a little calmer. The big one was the kickoff now into the end zone will be brought to the 35 (yard line). … The best thing that we get out of it when we have a league crew like this is the communication out here. … I think it’s good for those guys as well. I think they get better for it.”
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Best practice
Tight end Adam Trautman is the Broncos player with the most experience playing for Payton. Trautman spent three years with the Saints (2020-22) before his last two seasons in Denver.
Trautman witnessed a major building block during practice this week.
“I think the biggest thing was (Wednesday’s) practice,” Trautman said. “I’ve felt it before here, but that was like: ‘Oh, yes. We’re ready for this.’ All the expectations and everything. Yesterday’s practice was the best practice I’ve been a part of in my three years here. … I think we are trending in the absolute right direction and guys are completely bought in.”
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Dog days
The Broncos have practiced on eight of the last nine days over the acclimation period and training camp. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones explained his unique method for not letting the constant grind negatively impact his mindset.
“I’ve learned to just forget what day it is,” Jones said on Thursday. “Don’t worry if it’s a full-padded, 2.5-hour (practice). … You know what you have to do. Do your part and everyone else will fall in line. You have to forget about it. If you think about it, it’s going to be on your mind throughout the day. Just let it be.”