After the Broncos’ road matchup against Tampa Bay, a trip to West Virginia awaits.
Denver will practice at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, ahead of traveling to New Jersey for its Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets. The team’s getaway in West Virginia is a call back to head coach Sean Payton’s days in New Orleans.
Payton took the Saints to Greenbrier to practice for three straight seasons, starting in 2014. Similar to his experiences with the Saints, he hopes the trip will allow the team to focus and grow closer as a group.
“I think going on trips with your teammates and being able to spend a large amount of time that you’re not normally used to spending is always a fun time,” quarterback Bo Nix said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been to West Virginia in my life, but I do feel like road trips are good for a team.”
Broncos defensive tackle Malcolm Roach said it’s good to get away from Denver and enjoy a new environment. Roach said he plans to bring an Amazon Fire Stick on the trip to keep him occupied during his free time.
“If I bring the PlayStation, I’ll be up all night and I don’t need (to do that) right now,” Roach told The Denver Post.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II wished he would’ve known about bringing his game station. Then he realized it would’ve been too much packing.
Surtain said he’s satisfied with playing cards.
“Everybody got card games,” Surtain told The Post. “(We might) play some Spades, Tonk (and) Uno.”
But before the Broncos can think of any team bonding plans in West Virginia, they will have to take care of business against the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.
“It’s always that game before that you really have to keep your eye on,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said. “You have to go home tonight, get packed and there’s a lot of extra details. It was something that Sean addressed earlier in the week. He made a big emphasis on it, so it’s certainly been addressed.”
JFM is a full go against Tampa Bay: Broncos defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers is expected to play against the Buccaneers after suffering a concussion in last week’s loss to the Steelers. Franklin-Myers was a full participant during Friday’s practice after being limited on Thursday and out on Wednesday.
Everyone else is a full go except safety J.L. Skinner (ankle) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot). Both players have been ruled out.
For the Buccaneers, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (foot), defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (calf) and right tackle Luke Goedeke (concussion) will not play. Nose tackle Vita Vea (knee) is doubtful after being a limited participant on Friday despite not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday.
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