Broncos believe Courtland Sutton’s performance in preseason finale a “promising” sign wideout has returned to Pro Bowl form

In 2 plays Saturday night, Courtland Sutton squelched immoderate worries remained astir his surgically repaired near knee.

Playing successful his archetypal crippled since tearing his ACL past September, Sutton had 2 catches for 27 yards successful the Broncos’ preseason finale against the Rams astatine Empower Field. One reception was for 19 yards, and the different was a diving 8-yard touchdown drawback in the 17-12 win.

For those who were utilized to an uncoverable Sutton successful 2019, reset those precocious expectations successful 2021.

“You get benignant of caught up with Courtland scoring each of these touchdowns (and you’re) similar ‘Oh, determination goes Court again,'” linebacker Von Miller explained. “But erstwhile helium fights backmost from ACL country and gets his archetypal touchdown successful his archetypal enactment conscionable similar helium did successful the past, it’s beauteous dope.”

Sutton described his instrumentality to the tract arsenic “special,” particularly aft the wideout was mobbed by teammates pursuing his TD drawback that came connected a first-down scramble by Teddy Bridgewater midway done the 2nd quarter.

Of course, that country wouldn’t person happened had Sutton not made different large drawback a fewer plays earlier it — the 19-yard drawback disconnected an retired way connected third-and-7.

“(Tough catches) were 1 of the large things I wanted to bash and I looked astatine it arsenic portion of my rehab — get successful the crippled and spell backmost and marque crippled reps, crippled plays,” Sutton said. “You tin spell retired determination and signifier arsenic hard arsenic you want, but successful the game, thing is simply a small different. Being capable to spell retired determination and get those crippled reps, it was truly bully and promising for sure.”

Coach Vic Fangio says Sutton’s show gives the Broncos “a batch of assurance successful him moving forward” arsenic Sutton looks to replicate the 72-catch, 1,112-yard show helium posted successful a Pro Bowl twelvemonth successful 2019. Fangio besides emphasized Saturday’s people was precisely the catalyst Sutton needs heading into the regular season.

“It decidedly gives him a assurance boost,” Fangio said.

Bridgewater said that successful summation to seeing Sutton astatine 100% physically, the first-year Bronco besides got to spot the wideout’s game-day strength for the archetypal clip — and the backmost likes it.

Saturday’s show was lone a prelude for what Bridgewater believes tin beryllium different peculiar play for Sutton, particularly considering the young, speedy wideouts beside him successful Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler.

“I utilized to beryllium like, ‘Does Court ever get mad?’” Bridgewater said. “But connected crippled day, he’s angry. He’s aggravated due to the fact that helium knows that he’s a peculiar subordinate and he’s knows however peculiar helium tin beryllium successful this league. It was immense for him to get that touchdown. We’re each excited, and we look guardant to what’s successful store.”