Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton voiced concern Monday over a cluster of soft-tissue injuries that have sidelined key offensive players during the early stages of training camp, telling reporters that the organization must scrutinize its preparation and recovery protocols to keep the roster Healthy.
“We’ve got to get a handle on some of the soft-tissues,” Payton said, according to the Denver Post. “We’ve had a couple either strains, hamstring or groins. We continue to fight through that.”
The coach stopped short of attributing the issues to the summer heat, instead emphasizing a holistic review of the team’s pre-practice regimen. He highlighted hydration, individualized player routines, and the shared responsibility between staff and athletes to mitigate injury risk.
“You always try to look at your pre-practice routine,” Payton said. “Your hydration, obviously. And it’s incumbent on the player. It’s hard for anyone to know your soft tissue. I’m always looking at maybe what we did leading up to the period when a guy had a strain.”
The injuries have already affected three of Denver’s most dynamic offensive weapons. Running back J.K. Dobbins and wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and Marvin Mims Jr. have each missed practice time due to soft-tissue setbacks, raising questions about the unit’s readiness heading into the regular season.
Payton’s comments reflect a broader emphasis on sports science and load management that has become standard across the NFL. By examining the details of warm-up sequences, recovery windows, and player compliance, the Broncos hope to reverse a trend that could undermine their offensive potential.
The team’s medical and performance staffs are expected to adjust practice schedules and monitoring strategies in the coming days. For a franchise seeking to maximize the impact of its playmakers, keeping Dobbins, Waddle, and Mims on the field represents an immediate priority as the preseason approaches.
