Oct 2, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RB Javonte Williams (ACL) plans to be ready for camp

Coming off a torn ACL last season, Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams feels ready to be cleared for the start of training camp, he said Sunday.

Williams spoke with reporters Sunday at a football camp in Colorado that he co-hosted with teammate Pat Surtain II, and was asked whether he’d be healthy enough for the opening of camp on July 25.

“I mean, that’s the plan,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m ready to go.”

The Broncos’ second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Williams had a strong rookie showing with 203 carries for 903 yards and four touchdowns, plus three receiving scores. But he suffered the ACL tear in Week 4 of last season against the Las Vegas Raiders, ending his sophomore campaign.

He had 47 attempts for 204 yards and no touchdowns when he went down.

As for what’s left in Williams’ recovery process, the 23-year-old said it’s up to “how the Broncos feel about it … Just seeing how I feel, moving, just trying to get my speed back to normal, things like that.”

The Broncos are moving forward with Williams as their No. 1 option at running back and signed Samaje Perine from the Cincinnati Bengals over the offseason to back him up.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton: Russell Wilson ‘looks good and looks sharp’

The Denver Broncos may be “installing an entirely new offense,” but so far new coach Sean Payton is pleased with the centerpiece of that offense.

Payton told reporters after Thursday’s organized team activities that quarterback Russell Wilson was “sharp” as the Broncos get off and running.

“These guys are doing well, and (Wilson is) picking it up — the timing and all of those things that are required,” Payton said. “For the first five weeks, we were just lifting and running. Now we’re getting into some football activity. We are ahead of schedule on the practice. He’s picking it up good — he looks good and looks sharp.”

Wilson is entering his second season in Denver after a disastrous Year 1. The Broncos were hailed as Super Bowl contenders when they acquired Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks, but they went 5-12 as Wilson had the least effective year of his career while dealing with multiple injuries.

In 15 starts, Wilson threw for 3,524 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while taking a league-high 55 sacks. The disappointing year led to the firing of coach Nathaniel Hackett after 15 games, with Payton being hired out of a brief retirement to take over the job.

Payton coached the New Orleans Saints to one Super Bowl victory and will try to work similar magic in Denver.

“It’s the third day” of OTAs, Payton said. “… Look, we’re installing an entirely new offense. You see glimpses and then you see a lot we have to correct. The process is going well.”

Payton said running back Javonte Williams is practicing “in a limited capacity” at OTAs. The Broncos’ No. 1 running back tore the ACL and LCL in his right knee during Week 4 of his second NFL season and missed the rest of the campaign.

“We are being smart,” Payton said. “Obviously — and I said this to you before — we were encouraged heading into this time of the season. It’s good to have him out here.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) reacts to his third touchdown reception of the game in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos GM doesn’t ‘anticipate’ moving WR Jerry Jeudy

Denver Broncos general manager George Paton reiterated that the team has no intention of trading wide receiver Jerry Jeudy this offseason.

“We’re high — really high — on Jerry,” Paton said during his pre-draft news conference. “We don’t anticipate doing anything with Jerry. We like Jerry, and he’s going to be here.”

That was the message Broncos coach Sean Payton conveyed last month, but rumors have persisted that Denver may be open to parting with Jeudy and/or fellow wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

The Broncos are without a first-round pick in next week’s draft, where they currently hold only five total picks.

Jeudy, 23, is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, and Paton declined to say whether the team plans to pick up his fifth-year option at $12.987 million. The team has a May 2 deadline to exercise the option.

The former Alabama star is coming off his most productive season, catching 67 passes for 972 yards and six touchdowns in 2022. Jeudy closed his third season by averaging 6.6 catches for 91.6 yards over the final five games.

“Jerry finished the season strong — the last five games, he had over 500 (receiving) yards,” Paton said. “He was one of the top receivers in the league.”

However, Jeudy has yet to produce a 1,000-yard season and has missed a combined nine games due to a variety of nagging injuries.

With a dearth of options left on the free-agent market, receiver-needy teams may inquire leading up to, and through, the draft. Despite lacking a pick in the first round, Paton said the Broncos will manage draft day as if they do, a remain flexible as they watch the picks roll in.

“We’re going to approach the first day of the draft like we’re picking,” he said. “That’s how we’ve prepared our draft meetings. We’re preparing like we’re picking in the first round and in the second round. That’ll be our approach.

“We’ll monitor each pick, and we’ll discuss each pick compared to our grade. We’ll look at the trades and look at who’s falling. I think we’re going to be locked in like we have first-round pick on that first day.”

On the injury front, Paton said running back Javonte Williams is “doing really well” in his rehab from knee surgery. The Broncos are confident he will play next season, but isn’t putting a timetable on his return. Paton also isn’t ruling out adding to the backfield depth chart during the draft.

“We’re not entirely sure when (Williams will return),” Paton said. “He’s progressing very well.

“Like all of the positions … if there’s a runner there — no matter what point of the draft — and he’s the best player on our board, we’ll take a running back, that’s for sure. We addressed enough needs (in free agency) where we can take the best players throughout the draft. We do not need to reach.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; New Orleans Saints running back Latavius Murray (28) carries the ball in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Saints 28-25. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos sign Latavius Murray to bolster RB position

The Denver Broncos added veteran running back Latavius Murray to their 53-man roster on Tuesday to fill the void left by the season-ending injury to Javonte Williams.

In corresponding moves, the Broncos placed Williams (knee) and outside linebacker Randy Gregory (knee) on injured reserve. Gregory is expected to miss several weeks but return this season.

Murray, 32, was signed off New Orleans’ practice squad. He was on the Saints’ active roster on Sunday and carried the ball 11 times for 57 yards and a touchdown in their 28-25 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London.

He’s not expected to play Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts, per reports.

In 123 career games (69 starts) with the then-Oakland Raiders (2014-16), Vikings (2017-18), Saints (2019-20, 2022) and Baltimore Ravens (2021), Murray has 5,549 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. He has two receiving touchdowns and an additional 1,377 yards.

The Raiders selected Murray in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He was selected to his only Pro Bowl team in 2015.

With these transactions, the Broncos have one spot open on their 53-man roster.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) during a game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Broncos RB Javonte Williams tore his ACL

Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams suffered significant knee damage on Sunday and is done for the season, multiple outlets reported Monday.

NFL Network reported Williams has multiple ligament tears, including the ACL and lateral collateral ligament.

Williams initially was helped off the field after the first play of the third quarter but soon was carted from the Denver sideline to the locker room.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said after the 32-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that Williams and edge rusher Randy Gregory (knee) would undergo MRIs.

Williams is Denver’s leading rusher with 204 yards on 47 carries. He had 28 on 10 carries Sunday before exiting. He also ranks second on the Broncos with 16 receptions.

Williams was a second-round pick (35th overall) out of North Carolina in 2021.

Mike Boone (20 yards) and Melvin Gordon (8) received three carries each against the Raiders. Gordon lost a fumble that Las Vegas’ Amik Robertson returned 68 yards for a touchdown.

Gordon has fumbled four times this season, losing two. He has 139 yards and one touchdown on 37 carries.

The Broncos (2-2) host the Indianapolis Colts (1-1-2) on Thursday night.

–Field Level Media

Aug 14, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) runs the ball as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Kris Boyd (29) moves in for the tackle during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos waive RB Royce Freeman

The Denver Broncos released their former starting running back Royce Freeman on Wednesday after making two waiver claims earlier in the day.

Freeman started eight games as a rookie after the Broncos selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Broncos also waived defensive lineman Jonathan Harris after claiming defensive back Mike Ford and running back Nate McCrary off waivers.

Freeman ran for 521 yards and five touchdowns in eight starts in 2018 but then bounced down the depth chart with the emergence of Phillip Lindsay and the acquisition of Melvin Gordon last season.

Lindsay is gone but the Broncos signed Mike Boone in the offseason and traded up to select Javonte Williams in this year’s NFL draft.

Freeman, 25, rushed for 1,187 yards and eight TDs in 46 games in Denver.

–Field Level Media