Broncos preseason is ONE WEEK AWAY — Will the starters play? | Stokley and Evans with Mark Schlereth
The Denver Broncos' first preseason game is ONE WEEK AWAY. Denver travels to Atlanta to face the Falcons on Friday, August 14, and the biggest question in Broncos Country is simple: will we see the starters play, and if so, how much?
Sean Payton has historically played his starters at least one quarter in the preseason opener, and there's no reason to believe 2026 will be different — with a few notable caveats. Bo Nix is back as a full participant at training camp after two ankle surgeries, looking sharp and ahead of where he was last year. But this is still a quarterback coming off a fractured ankle just seven months ago. ESPN reports that Nix's status for the preseason opener is something to monitor, though all early signs suggest he'll be ready.
Then there's Jaylen Waddle, who left a recent practice with muscle tightness. Payton said he expects Waddle back in 4-5 days, but his availability for the Falcons game remains a question mark. Courtland Sutton has been managed with veteran rest days throughout camp.
On today's Stokley and Evans with Mark Schlereth on 104.3 The Fan, we break down how Payton should approach the preseason given Denver's lighter camp philosophy, which players NEED preseason reps the most, and whether the starters should see the field at all with a brutal Week 1 opener at Kansas City on Monday Night Football looming.
