Sean Payton couldn’t contain his admiration for Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton.
In preparation for Denver’s road game against the Ravens on Sunday, the Broncos coach was amazed by Baltimore’s third-year safety and the problems he presents to offenses.
Payton said Hamilton, a 2022 first-round pick from Notre Dame, can be a threat at any spot on the field.
A tremendous tackler with a good football IQ, Hamilton is especially dangerous when Baltimore sends him after the quarterback. He has 10 quarterback pressures and two sacks. Five of Hamilton’s pressures have come under three seconds, according to Next Gen Stats.
“We have to know where’s at and not have a protection where he is free,” Payton said. “He’s one of the better safeties I’ve seen in a while.”
Hamilton has made an impact since his rookie season when he collected 62 tackles and five passes defended in 16 games (four starts). In his sophomore campaign, he was named First-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press after recording 81 tackles, three sacks, four interceptions and 13 passes defended.
Hamilton, however, cost the Ravens the game last week against the Browns, dropping the game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter. Still, he is having another strong year: 57 tackles, four pass breakups and a forced fumble.
“His film has been unbelievable,” Payton said. “By the week’s end, you really noticed his skillset (and) they do a great job of putting him in positions where he’s closer to the ball.”
Locke ruled out: As expected, Denver starting safety P.J. Locke (thumb) will miss his second straight game. On Friday, Locke was listed as a non-participant at practice. He stretched with the team before working with a trainer on the side field.
Safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, who opened his 21-day window to be activated from the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list this week, was also ruled out despite being a full participant for two straight days.
Jackson to play on Sunday: Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson practiced on Friday and silenced any doubts of him not playing on Sunday.
“One hundred percent (I’m playing),” Jackson told reporters in Baltimore. “That wasn’t a doubt.”
Jackson missed the past two days of practice and was listed with a back/knee injury on the team’s availability report. Just like coach John Harbaugh, Jackson said he missed time due to rest.
“I was just resting my body. It’s a long season,” the two-time MVP said.
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Jackson has played at an MVP level once again. Through eight weeks, he has thrown for 2,099 yards, 17 touchdowns and two interceptions. Jackson has also run the ball 81 times for 501 yards and two scores.
Throckmorton promoted to active roster: Broncos guard Calvin Throckmorton has been signed from the practice squad to the active roster.
Fullback Michael Burton was released in a corresponding move. He’s expected to be signed to the practice squad and elevated ahead of Sunday’s matchup against Baltimore, a source told The Denver Post.
Throckmorton was elevated from the practice squad in the last two contests. A player can only be called up from the practice squad to the game-day roster three times.
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