WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. — Mother Nature won Friday at The Greenbrier.
The Broncos moved their final full practice day inside to the tennis club on the grounds here due to winds, rain and lightning powered by Hurricane Helene.
“I kinda like it actually. I think it was good,” head coach Sean Payton said, noting that the mid-stream change of course, in his mind, keeps the team on its toes.
“I didn’t realize they had this,” he said of the tennis center.
The actual outdoor practice fields here held the early week rain well enough for the team to have a full practice on the grass on Wednesday. Then Thursday they moved to the one turf field available after heavy overnight rain.
Thursday night delivered more, though — power flashed on and off in nearby Lewisburg — and the combination of rain, wind and lightning forced the team inside.
“Other than today having to move into these tennis/pickleball courts, they kept the schedule pretty similar to what we would have had,” wide receiver Josh Reynolds said of the Broncos’ week in West Virginia.
He acknowledged it was the first time he’d ever practiced on a tennis court, but added that he’d been on basketball courts and hotel ballrooms previously.
Friday afternoon, they travel from Appalachia up to New Jersey for a Saturday practice and final preparations for Sunday’s game at the New York Jets.
“The week’s the same,” Payton said. “The objective is, experts will tell you on sleep, avoiding the time zone change back and forth. That’s why we requested a couple of (East Coast) games back-to-back.”
He said West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, The Greenbrier’s owner, was on hand for practice Friday and talked with the team.
“Can’t thank these guys enough. They did a great job,” Payton said.
Barton will call defense. Payton wasn’t saying who would call the defense for Denver with Alex Singleton out for the season due to a torn ACL. Inside linebacker Cody Barton, though, had no hesitation.
“I’ll be calling the plays. I’ll be green-dotted and it’s not new to me. I’ve done it before,” Barton volunteered. “I did it all of last year (with Washington) and I did it in Seattle.”
Barton said he’s much more comfortable with the defensive verbiage than the start of training camp. He signed a one-year deal as a free agent this spring and has settled into Vance Joseph’s defense.
“It’s just more time on task,” he said. “Even three regular-season games. So having that alone helps. I feel comfortable calling it. Nothing crazy.”
Reynolds’ Achilles “solid”. Reynolds has been on and off the injury list this season with an Achilles issue that he said Friday was about tendinitis. He’s been dealing with it since training camp. Then Week 1 against Seattle, Reynolds got kicked right on his heel.
He says it’s just about managing the issue during the week.
“It’ll flare up every once in a while, but ultimately it’s solid,” Reynolds said.
Skinner out. The Broncos on Friday ruled reserve safety JL Skinner (ankle) out of Sunday’s game against the Jets. Everybody else on the active roster is set to be available. The reserve safety missed last week’s game against Tampa Bay due to an ankle injury and hasn’t practiced since Week 2.
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