In Englewood, Colorado, Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur aimed for a peaceful joint practice with the Denver Broncos on Friday. Both coaches agreed to avoid 1-on-1 drills and toned-down pass-rush drills to ensure safety and eliminate any potential fighting. LaFleur acknowledged the challenge of maintaining composure in competitive football situations, emphasizing the importance of controlling emotions. Despite efforts to keep the practice civil, a tense moment arose when Broncos linebacker Nik Bonitto collided with Packers quarterback Jordan Love, leading to an interception.

Following the incident, Love clarified that the contact was a result of friendly fire from one of his linemen and not a deliberate move by the defense. Although LaFleur and the Packers reacted strongly to the play, Love assured that it was unintentional. While some minor conflicts occurred during special teams drills, they were far from previous notable altercations in NFL history between players known for their amicable nature.

The Broncos and Packers are set to face off on Sunday in Denver, with Broncos’ rookie quarterback Bo Nix making his first preseason start. LaFleur plans to rest most of his starters for the game, making the joint practice a crucial evaluation opportunity for Nix, the 12th overall pick in the NFL draft and former Oregon QB. Nix displayed a mix of impressive throws and conservative passes during the practice, while Love also had a solid performance and valued the challenge of facing Broncos’ standout cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

Regarding injuries, Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed that rookie WR DeVaughn Vele, who was held out of practice due to a leg issue, was in good condition and might participate in Sunday’s game. Payton did not provide specific details about Vele’s injury. The progress of the teams and players during the joint practice will be instrumental in shaping their strategies for the upcoming game.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl