The Denver Broncos have already had an adventurous offseason when it comes to the wide receiver position.
Tim Patrick was lost for the year with a season-ending injury for the second year in a row and K.J. Hamler was waived due to a health concern. Recently, Brandon Johnson came up hobbled this week with a sprained ankle. It was an ankle injury that slowed him down last summer and ultimately cost him a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
Sean Payton could be looking for a couple of reinforcements, at least to get through the preseason, and two wide receivers were brought in for a workout this week.
The Broncos took a look at J.J. Koski and Ra'Shaun Henry.
Henry went undrafted last year and has already spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns but has yet to find a long-term home. Koski went undrafted in 2020 out of Cal Poly before signing with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent the past three seasons there before being waived in March.
Koski played in five games in the 2021 season and was used as a return man. Neither man left Denver with a contract but it is noteworthy that the team took a look at them.
Shelby Harris finds a new team, but it's not the Broncos
Despite the pleas that I have made this offseason, the Broncos are not going to re-sign defensive lineman Shelby Harris. That is because Harris has inked a new deal with the Cleveland Browns.
The defensive line (at least on paper) appears to be a glaring weakness for the Broncos, so it's certainly surprising that they did not entertain the thought of a reunion with Harris.
Harris spent one year with the Seattle Seahawks after being included in the trade to acquire Russell Wilson. The Browns will be his sixth NFL team.
How will the field conditions impact the Broncos' preseason opener?
The Broncos will open their 2023 preseason on Friday night against the Arizona Cardinals and many Broncos fans are wondering what the field conditions will be like for this game. It certainly seems to be a legitimate concern.
When asked about it on Wednesday, Payton did not seem to be overly concerned.
Sean Payton on Cardinals field conditions: #9sports pic.twitter.com/p4BMC2hW4f
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) August 9, 2023
The Broncos can ill-afford to have anyone come up seriously injured in this game and it might be wise to have Javonte Williams sit out the contest completely. The Cardinals already lost running back Marlon Mack to a torn Achilles this week, just days after signing him.
This will certainly be something to keep an eye on and could be the biggest storyline to follow in this first preseason game.