After two weeks of special teams errors and repeated frustration from head coach Sean Payton, Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi placed himself squarely under the bus on Thursday.
“We cannot be the reason that we’re losing field position, and things like that,” Rizzi told reporters Thursday. “But listen, it starts with me. Always starts with me as a coordinator, and trickles down to the players.
“So, I certainly take full responsibility on getting it cleaned up.”
The Broncos have endured weeks of inconsistent play under the veteran coordinator, who came to Denver in the offseason from New Orleans as a former colleague of Payton. It all boiled over in the last two games, with a communication error preceding a concussion for All-Pro returner Marvin Mims Jr. and multiple players running out late on special teams units against the Texans last Sunday.
Rizzi explained that a recent rash of injuries jumbled substitutions against Houston, and he said Denico Autry’s first-quarter field-goal block last Sunday was “frustrating” given a weeklong emphasis on protection. Rizzi, though, gave credit to the play of offensive linemen Calvin Throckmorton, Frank Crum and others on a game-winning field goal from Lutz and expressed confidence in his ability to right the ship.
“I’ve always prided myself on being an organized, disciplined guy,” Rizzi said. “I think you guys probably know that about me by now. And so, those are things we gotta get cleaned up.
“And we will. We’ll get that done this week.”
Broncos release former All-Pro special-teamer: Rizzi’s units will continue to cycle through some change against the Raiders on Thursday night after the Broncos waived safety J.T. Gray with an injury designation. The specialist landed on Monday’s injury report with a hamstring injury after playing 21 special teams snaps in the Broncos’ 18-15 win over Houston.
The Broncos signed Gray, a second-team All-Pro with the Saints in 2024, off the Ravens’ practice squad in mid-October. Rizzi called him the “best coverage player that I’ve coached,” and Denver could’ve used some juice on its kick units. But Gray was inactive his first two games in Denver, and the Broncos are now cutting ties.
Mims back at practice: After a laundry list of an injury report on Monday, the Broncos had a cleaner bill of health at practice Tuesday. Mims was back and limited at practice after missing Sunday’s game with a concussion. Cornerback Riley Moss and safety Brandon Jones were also present during stretching and limited, after both landed as would-be DNPs on Monday’s report.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II was seen doing rehab work on the side field, along with tight end Nate Adkins and linebackers Drew Sanders and Garret Wallow. Kicker Lutz, meanwhile, landed on Tuesday’s injury report as a DNP with an illness.
Lutz and Payton have ‘unique relationship’: On Lutz’s game-winning 34-yarder against the Texans, Payton was caught by television cameras venturing out to holler at Lutz — mouthing “right through!” and gesturing at the uprights.
The two have a “very unique relationship,” Rizzi said. Lutz has been Payton’s kicker for eight seasons, dating back to 2016 with the New Orleans Saints.
“I think he knows Sean’s going to probably say something on the way out,” Rizzi joked. “He probably says more than just that at other times.”
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