Tag: Russell Wilson

Feb 6, 2023; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton speaks at the UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton nixes Russell Wilson’s personal coach in building

Posted on | by Field Level Media

“Let Russ cook” became a popular phrase in the last few years of Russell Wilson’s time in Seattle. Wilson will have to get used to cooking with new coach Sean Payton’s staff in Denver.

Payton is putting the kibosh on Wilson having his own personal QB coach in the building, calling it “foreign.” Jake Heaps moved with Wilson to Denver from Seattle as part of Wilson’s performance team. But Heaps won’t be hanging out at UCHealth Training Center moving forward.

Payton made the comments Monday in a scrum with reporters after his introductory press conference.

“That’s foreign to me,” Payton said when asked about it. “That’s not gonna take place here. I’m unfamiliar with it but our staff will be here, our players will be here and that’ll be it.”

Wilson and his role in turning around the Broncos — as well as his own performance — was at the center of Payton’s introductory press conference.

“Obviously (last season) wasn’t the type he had wanted to have,” Payton said.

Wilson signed a seven-year, $296 million extension with the Broncos in September. But he went 4-11 as the starter, threw just 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, numbers that played a part in why Payton was introduced in the first place — the firing of Nathaniel Hackett.

“Here’s what I know: (Wilson is) a hard worker. I know he’s an extremely hard worker. That’s important and I think you take that skillset, he’s won a lot of games in Seattle,” Payton said.

“… Although it’s a much more visible position, it’s the same case and same goal for us with every player on this roster. What do they do well?” Payton added. “It’s easy to point out what players don’t do well. There’s certain coaches that tend to look at it that way. I kind of was taught early on, what is it they do well and let’s have him do those things.

“None of us want to be at a karaoke bar with a song we don’t know the words to,” Payton said. “So how do we get them comfortable and highlight their strengths. And that’s the process that’s going to begin right now as I’m learning about every one of these players, not just Russell.”

Payton acknowledged that he and Wilson spoke during the process.

“Yeah, he did, and when he called right away I thought, ‘Man, I’m the last person that needs to get in trouble with the league,” Payton said. “We chatted.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 11, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris (47) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Russell Wilson in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is in the concussion protocol and his status for Week 15 is up in the air.

Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday it was too early to clear or rule out Wilson for the upcoming game against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.

“We’re going to do everything the way that the medical doctors, the independent doctors, we’re going to do every single — safety is by far the most important thing,” Hackett said. “We’ll continually talk to (Wilson), talk to everybody else about that and make sure we do the right thing.

“He felt great today when we saw him, looked great, but we want to make sure we do everything the right way.”

Wilson will have to be cleared by an independent neurologist to play against the Cardinals.

Hackett also said that running back Mike Boone’s season is likely over after suffering a high ankle sprain Sunday. Boone gained 198 scrimmage yards in nine games this season.

Wilson sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 34-28 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Wilson was injured while scrambling for 14 yards to the Kansas City 2-yard line and took a hard hit from Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark with just more than 12 minutes remaining in the contest. Denver players immediately signaled for the training staff.

Wilson was initially prone on the turf and later stood up while being examined by team trainers. He walked to the sideline under his own power and eventually headed to the locker room.

Brett Rypien replaced Wilson and completed 4-of-8 passes for 16 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Rypien would get the start if Wilson is unable to go.

The Broncos also lost wide receiver Kendall Hinton (hamstring) and outside linebacker Jacob Martin (knee) to injuries against the Chiefs. Hackett said those injuries are still being evaluated.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws the ball in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ Russell Wilson ‘looks good,’ still limited in practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson was a limited participant in practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to his hamstring injury.

“He had a good day of practice today,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said. “(He) looks good, and we’re just going to keep on monitoring it day-to-day and make sure he’s OK.”

Wilson’s level of participation in practice on Friday likely will go a long way toward his availability for the Broncos (2-5) in their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) on Sunday in London.

“We’ll find out,” Hackett said about whether Wilson will play on Sunday. “It’s day-to-day. Want to be sure ‘Ryp’ (Brett Rypien) and Josh (Johnson) are both ready at the same time.”

Wilson, 33, missed last Sunday’s 16-9 loss to the New York Jets after sustaining the injury in Denver’s Week 6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also has been playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder, a partially torn lat muscle that required a platelet-rich plasma injection.

Rypien completed 24 of 46 passes for 225 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against the Jets.

The Denver offense has struggled despite the offseason acquisition of Wilson. The former Super Bowl winner has thrown for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games, completing 58.6 percent of his passes — far below his career average of 64.8.

Like Wilson, defensive lineman Mike Purcell (knee) and linebacker Josey Jewell (knee) were limited in Thursday’s practice.

Offensive tackle Cameron Fleming (quad), linebacker Baron Browning (hip), cornerback Essang Bassey (hamstring), wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland (groin) and safety Caden Sterns (hip) did not participate in practice on Thursday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos QB Russell Wilson has partial hamstring tear

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has a partially torn hamstring and could be sidelined beyond Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, NFL Network reported.

The Broncos haven’t revealed the extent of the injury, but NFL Network said tests earlier this week showed the partial tear, classified as a Grade 2 hamstring strain.

The team ruled Wilson out on Saturday and Brett Rypien was set to make the start against the Jets.

The report said a partial tear usually causes a player to miss multiple weeks. The Broncos are scheduled to play the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday in London and then have a bye in Week 9, so Denver could be targeting a return for Wilson on Nov. 13 at Tennessee.

Wilson, 33, injured his hamstring in Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also has been playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder, a partially torn lat muscle that required a platelet-rich plasma injection.

The Denver offense has struggled despite the offseason acquisition of Wilson. The former Super Bowl winner has thrown for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games, completing 58.6 percent of his passes — far below his career average of 64.8.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Russell Wilson likely game-time decision for Broncos vs. Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said Friday that the team likely will make the call on gameday whether to play injured quarterback Russell Wilson against the visiting New York Jets on Sunday.

“He’s day-to-day at this point, so it’ll probably be a game-time (decision),” Hackett told reporters. “We just want to be sure he can protect himself. That’s the most important thing.”

Wilson was limited in practice for the third consecutive day and was listed as questionable to play Sunday after he hurt his hamstring during Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He’s also playing through an injury to his throwing shoulder, a partially torn lat muscle that required a platelet-rich plasma injection.

Backup Brett Rypien would be tapped to start if Wilson can’t go. Rypien shared first-string reps with Wilson at practice to prepare for that possibility. Journeyman Josh Johnson is also with Denver but would need to be called up from the practice squad.

The Broncos’ offense has struggled despite the offseason acquisition of Wilson. The former Super Bowl winner has thrown for 1,442 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions through six games, completing 58.6 percent of his passes, far below his career average of 64.8.

Last season marked the first time in his 11-year NFL career that Wilson missed a game, ending a 149-game ironman streak. He missed three in all last season for the Seattle Seahawks.

“He’s a grinder,” Hackett said. “He works hard and he’s tough. That’s who he is — he fights through everything.”

Denver cornerback Essang Bassey (hamstring) was ruled out and safety Caden Sterns (hip) was listed as doubtful. Defensive tackle DeShawn Williams did not practice Friday with a back injury and is questionable, along with offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz (foot), linebacker Josey Jewell (knee) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (ankle).

The Jets ruled out defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (ankle) and wide receiver Elijah Moore, who requested a trade Thursday. Safety Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) is questionable.

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is sacked by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos QB Russell Wilson needs tests on hurting hamstring

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson injured his hamstring in the fourth quarter of Denver’s overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.

Wilson completed 15 of 28 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown. The Broncos (2-4) scheduled an MRI to detect the severity of his injury as part of the team’s post-mortem Tuesday.

“I kind of scrambled to move around on one, I had to throw it away, it kind of got me pretty good in the fourth quarter,” Wilson said. “Just tried to play through it … just trying to find a way to win the game.”

Denver has a short week to prepare for the New York Jets (4-2), who muffled the Packers in Week 6. The Broncos operate a rough derivative of that system under former Green Bay offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Denver’s first-year head coach.

The Broncos failed to hit 17 points on the scoreboard for the fifth time in six games in the 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers and Wilson completed only three passes for 15 yards in the second half.

He came out of the Week 4 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders (Oct. 2) with a muscle tear in his right shoulder.

“Shoulder did good, but listen, the only thing that matters is us winning,” Wilson said. “Not going to sugarcoat it, the only thing matters is us winning.”

Wilson said “we don’t have division in our locker room” when asked how the Broncos can stick together during the difficult stretch.

The Broncos parted with multiple draft picks to pry Wilson from the Seattle Seahawks and signed him to a five-year, $245 million contract extension. In addition to quarterback Drew Lock and tight end Noah Fant, Denver traded two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Wilson.

After a second overtime loss in as many weeks, Wilson said he felt like the Broncos should’ve won both games.

“We’ve got to find ways to make plays,” he said. “We’ve got to find ways to get touchdowns.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs off the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos’ Hackett expects QB Russell Wilson to face Chargers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said he expects quarterback Russell Wilson to be ready to play Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“He should be ready to play,” Hackett told reporters Tuesday.

Wilson spent part of last week on the injury report with a right-shoulder injury, leading Hackett to say the nine-time Pro Bowl selection was “dinged up.”

After an ugly 12-9 overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday night, Wilson reportedly flew to Los Angeles to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection.

NFL Network has reported that Wilson is playing through a strained lat muscle in his throwing shoulder.

The Thursday-to-next-Monday gap between games in Denver’s schedule gives the Broncos (2-3) more than a week off to recover physically and mentally.

“We’ve been banged up a little bit, and the guys need this time to be able to re-energize themselves and get all their bodies back,” Hackett said. “So I think this mini-bye comes at the perfect time for us.”

Wilson, acquired from the Seattle Seahawks last spring in a blockbuster trade, has thrown for 1,254 yards and four touchdowns this season, with three interceptions. He’s completed 59.4 percent of his passes and put up a passer rating of 82.8. The lowest single-season passer rating of his career was a 92.6 in 2016.

Wilson has gone 13-for-28 passing in the red zone with one touchdown and one interception. In Thursday’s loss, he missed open receiver K.J. Hamler in the end zone during overtime and forced a pass elsewhere instead. The ensuing incompletion ended the game, with Hamler spiking his helmet against the ground in frustration.

Hackett was asked if the Broncos would try to develop an offensive scheme that would be better for Wilson.

“Most of the stuff that we’ve done as we collaborated and made this offense is stuff that he’s comfortable with, that we’re comfortable with,” Hackett said. “We’re always going to do what’s best for our guys, what’s best for Russell, and we’ll continually develop a plan for him on all the things that he does well.”

On Friday, Wilson tweeted a quote attributed to Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Hackett did not feel the quote reflected the state of the Broncos.

“I mean, that’s the first time I’ve heard that quote, but no,” Hackett said. “I think it’s a beautiful day; I’m here with everybody here. There is a lot of improvement to be done. Whenever you know that there’s improvement that can happen, you know that there’s going to be a lot of improvement.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) and defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) in the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos QB Russell Wilson has shoulder procedure

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson underwent a procedure to relieve discomfort in his throwing shoulder, NFL Network reported Saturday.

Wilson reportedly received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on Friday in Los Angeles, one day after the Broncos dropped a 12-9 overtime decision against the visiting Indianapolis Colts.

Wilson completed 21 of 39 passes for 274 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions against the Colts, and the Broncos are 2-3 since signing the longtime Seattle Seahawks star to a $245 million contract extension.

Wilson showed up on the injury report last Tuesday with a right shoulder injury, with coach Nathaniel Hackett saying the nine-time Pro Bowl selection was “dinged up” after Denver’s Week 4 loss at Las Vegas.

According to Saturday’s report from NFL Network, the 33-year-old Wilson is dealing with a strained latissimus dorsi muscle, an injury more common to baseball players.

Wilson has completed 59.4 percent of his passes for 1,254 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in five games. His worst completion percentage for a full season was 61.3 percent in 2017.

–Field Level Media