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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The identity of the Denver Broncos since Sean Payton took over in 2023 has been their defense. Last season, the Broncos allowed the third-fewest points (18.3 per game) and the second-fewest total yards (283.6) in the NFL. That resulted in several players making the Pro Bowl, including star cornerback Pat Surtain II, defensive tackle Zach Allen and pass rusher Nik Bonitto. Denver also led the entire league in sacks with 68, with Bonitto leading the way at a career-high 14.
However, during Broncos practice on Tuesday, Bonitto was seen limping off the field with an apparent leg injury, heading straight to the locker room with two medical trainers at his side. Bonitto hasn't missed a single game over the last two seasons, and with just over a week until the Broncos' first preseason game, concern immediately set in.
Payton eased those concerns after practice. "He'll be fine," Payton said.
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Bonitto was the Broncos' second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft — a selection that was seen as something of a reach at the time, with many scouts pegging him as an early-third-round pick. Four years later, though, it's starting to look like one of the steals of the draft.
Bonitto has posted 27.5 sacks over the last two seasons alone, earning Pro Bowl honors both years and second-team All-Pro honors last season. Only one player in the entire NFL has generated more sacks over that span: two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. That means Bonitto has more sacks over the last two years than players like Micah Parsons, Will Anderson Jr., Aidan Hutchinson and T.J. Watt.
At just 26 years old, Bonitto is one of the best young defenders in the league. Any missed time would have been a brutal blow for the Broncos' defense — though it looks like that situation may have been avoided.
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