ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver’s unconventional quarterback competition concluded Wednesday with one final plot twist when Broncos coach Sean Payton walked up to his QBs during warmups and informed them rookie Bo Nix had won the starting job.
“He smiled,” Payton said of the 12th overall pick out of Oregon and sixth QB selected in the 2024 NFL draft. “We were getting ready to practice, and that was it. You know, we didn’t have cake and candles or anything like that.”
Payton didn’t even share the news with the rest of his team when he gathered everyone after practice.
“I haven’t told the rest of the team yet,” Payton said. “Because I’m not going to spend meetings with the rest of the team on every one of these other positions.”
Besides, he said, “they’ve kind of seen this coming.”
Nix, who started an NCAA QB-record 61 times at Oregon and Auburn, has led the Broncos to scores on six of the seven drives he’s directed in the preseason and he’s been statistically one of the league’s best passers this month.
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Lions’ Sewell leaves with foot injury
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell left practice Wednesday with a foot injury, potentially a major setback for a team with high expectations.
Sewell, an All-Pro last season, was evaluated by the team’s medical staff after leaving the practice field.
The defending NFC North champions are counting on Sewell to help protect quarterback Jared Goff and to create holes for running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Lions host Pittsburgh on Saturday in the final preseason game for both teams.
Steelers’ Wilson plans to play in finale
PITTSBURGH — Russell Wilson wants another shot to get the Pittsburgh Steelers offense heading in the right direction before the regular season starts.
The veteran quarterback said Wednesday he anticipates playing in Pittsburgh’s preseason finale against Detroit on Saturday. Wilson played five mostly listless series in a loss to Buffalo last week after dealing with a calf injury that limited his participation in training camp.
“Last week was great to be out there for the first time, putting more pads on and everything else,” Wilson said. “And obviously, we didn’t get the win and everything else, but I think the big thing for us is just executing and us making our plays and doing our thing.”
Pittsburgh’s starting offense has failed to produce a touchdown in either of its two preseason games. The offensive line had serious issues protecting Wilson and Justin Fields against Buffalo, allowing four sacks.
Cowboys’ California hotel catches fire, no injuries
OXNARD, Calif. — A fire was reported Tuesday in an empty guest room at the hotel in California where the Dallas Cowboys stay for training camp but there were no injuries, according to the team.
The fire was contained to one room, according to the team, and practice activities weren’t disrupted. The Cowboys have two more workouts before breaking camp Thursday.
“Most importantly, I just want to thank public safety for Oxnard,” coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday. “I thought they did an outstanding job. … And, yeah, it was a very unfortunate situation. I know no one was injured, but it’s definitely something that we can learn from.”
Dallas has held training camp every year since 2012 at the hotel complex that is adjacent to a pair of practice fields in Oxnard. The Cowboys were in Oxnard intermittently before then while also training in San Antonio.
Rams expect to move to new HQ soon
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are set to move into their new complex next week. Probably.
They were supposed to start using the new facility in Woodland Hills, California, at the start of August. But hiccups putting the finishing touches on it meant the Rams returned to California Lutheran University for the past three weeks after the conclusion of training camp at Loyola Marymount University.
Barring any more snafus, the Rams should be moving in next week following a joint practice at the Houston Texans on Thursday and their preseason finale on Saturday
“We’ve been here before, so I wouldn’t rule anything out,” coach Sean McVay said after practice on Tuesday. “I have no idea. If Woodland Hills is ready to roll, then this will be the last day. If not, then we’ll be back here. I’ve sat here before and said, ‘Hey, it was great being here,’ and here we are again here.”
BROWNS: Deshaun Watson is dealing with what the Browns describe as “general arm soreness.” That development could impact whether Cleveland’s quarterback makes his preseason debut this week.
