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OLB Jonah Elliss, fully cleared from shoulder injury, explains second-year mindset | Broncos notebook

By Kyle Fredrickson July 29, 2025 | updated 1 day ago

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Denver Broncos linebacker Jonah Elliss (52) walks off the field with an injury during the second quarter of the wild card playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., on Jan. 12. The Broncos lost 31-7.

Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette

ENGLEWOOD — Don’t be fooled by his right shoulder wrap in Broncos training camp.

Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss is healthy and focused ahead of his second NFL season.

“I wrap it up just as a precaution,” Elliss told The Denver Gazette. “But it feels great. It’s fully cleared, so I’m ready to go.”

It’s been a year of growth for the University of Utah product.

Inside linebackers Drew Sanders, Alex Singleton suffer training camp injuries | Broncos notebook

Off the field, Elliss got married in March to his longtime college girlfriend, Kasey, and they took a honeymoon trip to Puerto Rico. On the field, Elliss recovered from shoulder surgery to repair a fractured scapula. The injury took place in the AFC wild card playoff loss to the Bills when Buffalo left tackle Dion Dawkins pulled around on a run play — and bulldozed Elliss.

The rehab process lingered through the offseason program before Elliss got cleared. The familiarity of his second training camp has inspired confidence for a healthy leap into 2025.

“It’s been really good,” Elliss said. “It’s nice because we already had the install from last year. It feels a lot smoother and a lot slower to me. That’s big.”

Elliss was named to the Pro Football Writer’s Association (PFWA) All-Rookie team last season after he compiled 31 tackles and five sacks. He played on 38% of all defensive snaps and 54% of all special teams snaps. Where can he improve entering Year 2?

Running backs featured in first practice with full pads | Broncos training camp Day 3

“The things that I needed to focus on going into the offseason were really my get-off (the line of scrimmage) and just trusting myself,” Elliss said. “I knew what to do in the play. But sometimes I’m in my head: ‘Oh, is that really what I’m supposed to do?’ But I know what I’m doing. I know the system. I just have to trust that and go play.”

Elliss has role model teammates for decreasing his launch time at the snap. According to Next Gen Stats, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto’s average get-off time (how long it takes for a defender to cross the line of scrimmage on pass rushes) was .76 seconds. Elliss averaged .85 seconds.

“Honestly, it’s just repetition,” Elliss said. “When you watch offenses and get their cadences (it improves). You really practice that. You watch the tackle and see what moves first on him. Any little bit of information you can get, you try and work. The whole offseason, I worked on my trainers, and that’s just something I was really focusing on.

“I would say all of our vets have an elite get-off. You can tell that is something they really preach. They really believe that if you get a good get-off, you’re setting yourself up for success.”

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Broncos WR Courtland Sutton signs four-year, $92 million contract extension

Elliss raved about coordinator Vance Joseph’s “attack defense” and is thankful for strong continuity at outside linebacker. He said the goal is to increase Denver’s NFL-leading sack total last year (63) while reducing the number of big plays allowed. Elliss can feel his maturity growing in a number of different ways, especially in life away from football.

“Getting married was the best thing ever,” Elliss said. “My wife is my everything.”

Bailey steps up

The Broncos are strapped for depth at inside linebacker with Drew Sanders out at least a month (foot) and Alex Singleton missing a week (thumb). That has opened the door for Levelle Bailey.

The second-year undrafted free agent (Fresno State) played on 52% of all special teams snaps last season. He appeared on just five total defensive snaps. Bailey is taking advantage of increased practice reps in training camp.

“He’s had a few good days. Real good days. I think you’re getting a player into his second year with confidence,” coach Sean Payton said after Tuesday practice at Broncos Park. “He’s in good shape. He looks like an NFL linebacker too. … I would say I’ve clearly seen a jump from Year 1 to Year 2 in his confidence.”

Coach Prime reaction

University of Colorado football coach Deion Sanders announced Monday that he is cancer free after having his bladder removed.

“I texted him,” Payton said. “I’m proud of him, excited for him (and) happy for him. I consider him a close friend all the way back to when I first entered this league. … Our thoughts are with him because football is better with him. Colorado is better with him. It’s impressive to watch him coach and teach.”

Tryout players

Denver held tryouts on Tuesday for the following players, according to the NFL transaction report:

  • LB Krys Barnes
  • WR Grant DuBose
  • LB Anthony Hines
  • WR Dax Milne
  • WR Braylon Sanders
  • LB Jailin Walker
  • LB Garret Wallow

None were signed to contracts as of Tuesday afternoon.

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Kyle Fredrickson

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