ENGLEWOOD – Perhaps it is time to rev up the Bo Nix hype machine again.

In last Saturday’s 30-9 win at San Francisco in the preseason opener, the Broncos’ second-year quarterback looked average at best in the three series he played. But Nix on Thursday had perhaps his best day of training camp in a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals at Broncos Park.

With legendary quarterback Peyton Manning watching, Nix threw effectively all over the field to a multitude of receivers as Denver’s first-team offense clearly got the better of Arizona’s starters.

“Bo you can tell definitely made the year two leap just comparing with what I saw last year with him as a rookie, and he was out there (Thursday) making no-look throws and stuff,’’ said Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson.

As for Denver’s defense, it was not dominant against the Cardinals. The Broncos gave up plenty of passes from Kyler Murray to tight end Trey McBride, a former Colorado State star, and some other big plays.

Broncos coach Sean Payton mostly watched his offense on one field. He got a report from his defensive coaches after the practice about what happened on the other field and it was not too good.

“They felt we got off to a slow start over there,’’ Payton said. “On that field, they had some explosives and guys running open and we’ll get that cleaned up.”

The Broncos were without two key defensive players in outside linebacker Nik Bonitto and inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Payton said Bonitto underwent a procedure to remove a bone spur from his foot but will be back at practice next week after missing all three workouts this week. He said Greenlaw, who injured his quad July 31 and returned to practice the past two days but only for individual drills, will be back practicing much more next week.

On the field that had Denver’s offense it was a much different story. Nix was flinging the ball all over the place five days after he completed 6-of-11 passes for 31 yards and a mediocre passer rating of 60.0 against the 49ers.

Nix hit wide receiver Devaughn Vele for several nice plays, including a long touchdown pass in which he sprinted alone down the left sideline. Vele got off to a slow start in training camp due to a left knee issue but looked much better Thursday.

Nix hit receiver Courtland Sutton for a 10-yard touchdown pass in the deep right corner of the end zone. He also had some nifty tosses to wide receivers Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin, tight end Evan Engram and others.

“I think we have talent everywhere,’’ Engram said of the many targets Nix has. “I just love how everybody works. Guys, they don’t make plays by accident. Every guy that’s here that’s made plays this camp and is going to make plays this season has truly put the work in to evolve their game.”

Even receivers who have little chance to make the 53-man roster shined Thursday. One was undrafted rookie Jerjuan Newton, who hauled in a leaping 50-yard pass from Sam Ehlinger in what was perhaps the play of the day.

Ehlinger has had a good camp. Payton said it remains to be seen if the Broncos will keep a third quarterback on the 53-man roster behind Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham. He did acknowledge it could be a risk trying to slip Ehlinger onto the practice squad.

Mims said early in training camp there isn’t enough talk about Denver’s depth at receiver. Payton talked about it Thursday.

“I like (the depth),’’ Payton said. “There will be some tough (roster) decisions. There’s a chance a receiver that might be out here (now) might be on a 53 somewhere else. And so it’s a good thing, and we’re deep at running back. We’re just so much further along as a roster that elevates quite naturally the play of everyone.”

Yes, the Broncos also are deep at running back. But backs didn’t have that impressive of a practice against the Cardinals.

J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey had some solid runs, but they are locks to make the 53-man roster. It remains to be seen how the battle for one or two more spots on the roster will shake out between Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson.

“You haven’t seen it yet because in every drill there’s an early whistle,’’ Payton said of sorting out the running back situation when there’s not tackling. “We stay up on the backs. You saw a little last week (against the 49ers) when it’s tackle. You’ll see more. … We’re not there yet. The good news is we still have (time before rosters must be set on Aug. 26).”

More will be known after Arizona faces Denver in a preseason game Saturday night at Empower Field. Payton said the Broncos and the Cardinals will not play most of their starters. However, Payton said he will use some players who are battling to get plenty of snaps in the preseason.

Payton said he decided to rest starters since the Broncos had back-to-back weeks with joint practices. They had one against the 49ers on Aug. 9 before facing them in the preseason opener.

It remains to be seen how the load at running back will be divided Saturday and also in the Aug. 23 preseason finale at New Orleans. Payton said starters will be used for eight to 10 plays against the Saints.

So Nix will have one more preseason game left to get any hype going that might have subsided with his showing against the 49ers.