Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos

In the NFL preseason, the line between preparation and risk is thin. For the Denver Broncos, a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2026, that line has become clear: key players—veterans, star contributors, and recent injury returnees—will almost certainly sit out most, if not all, of the preseason. Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos isn’t just a prediction; it’s a strategic choice rooted in protecting the team’s most valuable assets, avoiding unnecessary injuries, and preserving energy for the regular season. This approach, while sometimes criticized by fans eager to see stars in action, reflects the Broncos’ commitment to long-term success over short-term preseason excitement.

Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos starts with the team’s most irreplaceable player: quarterback Russell Wilson. Entering his 13th NFL season and fifth with the Broncos, Wilson has a track record of avoiding preseason action in recent years—and 2026 will be no different. Head coach Sean Payton has already hinted that Wilson will take “zero meaningful snaps” in the preseason, citing his experience and the need to keep him healthy for the regular season. “Russell knows our offense inside and out,” Payton said during a June press conference. “He doesn’t need three preseason games to get ready. What he needs is to stay fresh, stay healthy, and be at his best when Week 1 rolls around.” Wilson, who turned 36 in November 2025, has also expressed support for the decision, noting that preseason snaps carry unnecessary risk for veteran quarterbacks. “I’ve played enough football to know that preseason games don’t make or break your season,” Wilson said. “My job is to be ready for the Raiders in Week 1—not the Cardinals in Week 1 of the preseason.” For the Broncos, keeping Wilson off the field in August is a no-brainer: losing him to a preseason injury would derail their entire season.

Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos extends to the team’s defensive stars, particularly linebacker Drew Sanders and defensive tackle D.J. Jones. Sanders, coming off a career-best 2025 season with 120 tackles and 7 sacks, is the heart of the Broncos’ defense—and a player the team can’t afford to lose. Sanders dealt with a minor knee sprain late in the 2025 playoffs, and while he’s fully recovered, the Broncos will err on the side of caution by holding him out of preseason games. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph explained the decision: “Drew is our defensive leader. He’s not just a playmaker—he’s the guy who makes everyone else around him better. Why risk that for a preseason game? We’ll get him reps in practice, but he won’t see the field in August.” Jones, a 325-pound run-stuffer who’s entering the final year of his contract, will also sit out most preseason action. The Broncos view Jones as critical to stopping opposing running backs in the AFC West, and they don’t want to expose him to the kind of random, hard hits that often happen in preseason games. “Guys like D.J. don’t grow on trees,” Joseph said. “He’s one of the best run defenders in the league, and we’re not going to risk his health for a few snaps against a team’s third-string offense.”

Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos also includes players coming off injuries, such as running back Javonte Williams. Williams, who tore his ACL in 2022 and missed most of that season, has since returned to form—rushing for 1,100 yards in 2025—but the Broncos remain cautious about his workload. General manager George Paton has confirmed that Williams will play “no more than one series” in the preseason, if he plays at all. “Javonte has worked too hard to come back from that injury to risk a setback in a preseason game,” Paton said. “We’ll monitor his reps in practice, but he won’t be out there for long stretches in August.” The Denver Broncos’ running back depth also supports this decision: they have veteran backup Samaje Perine and rookie third-round pick Elijah Mitchell, who can handle the preseason workload. This way, Williams stays healthy, and the Broncos get a chance to evaluate their younger running backs—win-win for the team.

Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos is also a reflection of the team’s depth, which allows them to rest stars without sacrificing preseason evaluation. The Broncos have built a roster with quality backups at nearly every position, meaning they can give meaningful reps to young players and journeymen in preseason games while keeping starters on the sidelines. For example, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham will start all three preseason games, giving the Broncos a chance to assess his readiness to step in if Wilson gets hurt. On defense, second-year linebacker Marcus Graham will fill in for Sanders, and rookie defensive tackle Tyler Davis will replace Jones—both opportunities for young players to prove themselves. “Our depth is one of our biggest strengths,” Payton said. “We can rest our stars, evaluate our young guys, and still get something out of the preseason. That’s the luxury of having a well-built roster.” The Denver Broncos’ front office has spent the last two offseasons adding depth through the draft and free agency, and that work will pay off in August as they rest their key players.

Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos is ultimately about winning when it counts. Preseason games don’t count toward the regular-season record, but injuries sustained in those games can have a lasting impact on a team’s chances. For the Broncos, who haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2015, the goal is clear: to compete for a championship in 2026. Sitting out key players in the preseason is a small price to pay for that chance. “We’re not here to win preseason games,” Payton said. “We’re here to win the AFC West, win playoff games, and bring a Super Bowl back to Denver. Every decision we make—including who plays in the preseason—is focused on that goal.” For fans, it may mean less excitement in August, but it also means a better chance to see the Broncos compete for a title in January and February. In the end, Probably Won’t Play Preseason for the Denver Broncos is a smart, strategic choice—one that reflects the team’s maturity and commitment to winning when it matters most.