The Denver Broncos have some lingering bumps and bruises as they wrap up their first week of training camp.
First, some good news: Broncos safety Caden Sterns (knee) was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Saturday and the team has been easing him back into action.
“So, he’s passed his physical in order to get back on the field,” coach Sean Payton said of Sterns. “Now we have to be really smart. It’ll be a process.”
Meanwhile, fellow safety Brandon Jones has “tweaked” his hamstring. Payton indicated the team won’t rush Jones in his recovery.
“He’s probably going to be week or two weeks with a hamstring,” Payton said. “We’re just going to be smart with his recovery. He’s someone that he’ll attack the rehab really quick, but I think two weeks will be realistic.”
Elsewhere on the injury front, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was sidelined Tuesday with what Payton described as “some back issues.” The coach expects Bonitto to return soon, perhaps as early as Wednesday.
Denver guard Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed) also remains sidelined.
Rounding out the injury report are running back Blake Watson (on the NFI list with a leg muscle injury), linebacker Drew Sanders (phsycially unable to perform list with an Achilles injury) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (PUP list with a knee injury).
Denver defensive end John Franklin-Myers was also absent from Tuesday’s practice after being excused to attend a family funeral.
Denver Broncos injuries
RB Blake Watson: leg muscle (NFI list)
LB Drew Sanders: Achilles (PUP list)
DB Delarrin Turner-Yell: knee (PUP list)
DE John Franklin-Myers: Excused from practice
OLB Nik Bonitto: back injury (did not practice)
DB Brandon Jones: hamstring injury (did not practice)
G Nick Gargiulo: undisclosed (did not practice)
