WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – It was not, “Tennis, anyone?” It was, “Football, anyone?”
On their third and final day of practice at The Greenbrier resort, the Broncos were forced Friday to hold a walkthrough indoors on tennis courts because of heavy rains related to Hurricane Helene.
“Maybe a basketball court, a ballroom, but this is a first time on a tennis court,'' wide receiver Josh Reynolds, who is in his eighth season, said of the walkthrough.
The Broncos opted to practice at the exclusive West Virginia resort between playing games last Sunday at Tampa Bay and Sunday at the New York Jets because head coach Sean Payton wanted them to remain acclimated to the Eastern Time Zone. The Greenbrier has three fields, two grass and one artificial, but no indoor field.
Wednesday’s workout went fine on the grass and there was some rain Thursday, leading the Broncos to practice on artificial turf a day earlier than planned. The original plan had been to practice Friday on the artificial turf, since Denver will play on that type of surface at MetLife Stadium,
“A little audible with practice,’’ Payton said. “At first we (considered practicing Friday in the rain) and then the change was made relative to the lightning forecast.”
Payton said “everything went good” with the walkthrough being on tennis courts and that the Broncos “got our work done.” Overall, he liked how the week went.
“Good,’’ Payton said. “Everyone was great, hospitable. … The objective is just avoiding the time zone change back and forth.”
The Broncos had a special guest Friday in Greenbrier owner and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, who spoke to the team. Justice first dealt with Payton when he was New Orleans’ coach and the Saints became the first team to visit The Greenbrier, holding training camp from 2014-16.
“We spent a lot of time together, so I think it’s going to carry over to the game (Sunday),’’ Broncos safety P.J. Locke said of spending the week at The Greenbrier.
“It’s different,’’ said linebacker Cody Barton, in his sixth season. “I’ve never done an in-season stay away, not fly back to your home base. But it’s been fun. … It’s been a good opportunity for everybody to do some team bonding. Instead of going back to a normal house, we’re all at the same hotel, so that’s an opportunity for guys to go out and eat together and things like that.”
The weather resulted in one other change Friday for the Broncos. They had flown in Monday to a local airport but on Friday flew to the New York area from Roanoke, Va., which is 80 miles from The Greenbrier.
Barton’s increased role
With Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton lost for the season after suffering a torn right ACL in the 26-7 win at Tampa Bay, Barton will wear the green dot Sunday on his helmet and call out signals to the defense.
“I’ll be calling the plays and it’s not new to me,’’ said Barton, who played with Seattle from 2019-22 and with Washington last season before signing with Denver. “I’ve done it before. I did it all last year. I did it in Seattle.”
Singleton was hurt on the eighth defensive play. But he remained in for the rest of the game, playing all 57 defensive snaps.
“Nobody really knew what happened,’’ Barton said. “It was pretty amazing. It happened in the first quarter and he played the whole game on it. … When one guy goes down, another one’s got to step up.”
Payton has declined to discuss how he will utilize his inside linebackers against the Jets. While Barton will be one starter, the other could be Kristian Welch.
The only other inside linebacker on the 53-man roster is Justin Strnad. The Broncos have rookie Levelle Bailey and veterans Kwon Alexander and Zach Cunningham on the practice squad, and one could be elevated for the game.
Alexander and Cunningham were both signed Wednesday. Barton said they have been doing well and Singleton has been helping the coaches working to get the players up to speed.
Skinner again out
Safety JL Skinner, hurt Sept. 15 against Pittsburgh, did not practice all week and on Sunday will miss his second straight game due to an ankle injury. He was Denver’s only player with an injury designation on Friday’s final injury report.
With Skinner again out, defensive back Tanner McCalister could be elevated from the practice squad for a second straight game.
For the Jets, offensive lineman Morgan Moses (knee) was listed as out and linebacker C.J. Mosley (toe) as doubtful. Mosley did not practice all week and his expected absence would be a blow to the Jets.
Briefly
Payton has coached 6-foot-4 receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey for five of his six NFL seasons, three with the Saints and two with the Broncos. “He’s real smart, so he can play all three (receiver) positions,’’ Payton said. “He’s versatile. He’s a big target. Obviously, he can block well.” … The Broncos won the coin toss against the Buccaneers, elected to receive, and scored a touchdown. It remains be seen what happens Sunday but Payton said “you always want to score on your first possession.’’ … The Broncos are playing the Jets for the fifth straight season and seventh in the last eight.
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