Broncos RB Tyler Badie ‘doing better’ after back injury against Jets

The Broncos gave a positive update on Tyler Badie after he suffered a scary back injury in a road win against the Jets.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday that Badie was “doing better” after the running back was immobilized on the sideline and carted off the field. The Denver Gazette previously confirmed that Badie flew commercially back to Denver on Sunday night with a Broncos medical official.

“We’re still evaluating him right now. He’s doing better,” Payton said. “Everyone that’s reached out, we appreciate the concerns. Fortunately, he was able to come back (to Denver) before the day ended.”

The injury resulted from a first-quarter tackle by Jets linebacker Quincy Williams. His helmet drove into Badie’s lower back, and Badie lost a fumble on the play. Badie did not require help walking off the field. But he later needed medical attention on the Broncos sideline.

“It’s a scary moment, for sure,” running back Jaleel McLaughlin said on Monday. “Because that dude, he works as hard as he can, and he does a great job once his number gets called. … I reached out to him. It’s just a blessing that he’s in good spirits. … That’s what I’m most happy about and I can’t wait to get him back.”

The Broncos host the Raiders in Week 5 at Empower Field.

Nix to Sutton

Rookie quarterback Bo Nix established a new favorite wide receiver target over a two-game winning streak: Courtland Sutton.

Sutton led all Broncos wide receivers against the Buccaneers and Jets with a combined 10 receptions for 128 yards and one touchdown, the first passing score of Nix’s brief NFL career. Sutton made sure to hand Nix the football afterward.

“To see a young dude go out there and handle that (adversity), against a really good defense, it was really inspiring,” Sutton told reporters on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. “I’m happy to see him continue to make these steps forward.”

Elite defense

The Broncos defense is currently ranked No. 2 in the NFL for average yards allowed (256.5) and total sacks (16). That production has not surprised starting outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper.

“We’ve always had solid defenses in the past,” Cooper said on Monday. “It’s always just been right there … battling to be in that No. 1 position and No. 1 defense. I feel like with the way we’ve been playing, you can definitely see how special and how hungry this group is, and how desperate we are to make sure that we’re doing the right things.”

Cooper has 17 tackles, three sacks and one interception so far this season.