Bonitto (foot) participated in Tuesday's training camp practice, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
Bonitto had a bone spur removed from his foot last week, ultimately forcing him to miss last week's practices and be sidelined for Denver's second preseason game against the Cardinals. Tuesday's practice marked his first time back with the team following the procedure. The 25-year-old is currently in negotiations with the Broncos for a contract extension. According to Kosmider, Bonitto said Tuesday there "has been good communication on both sides." Following up a season in which he posted a career high 13.5 sacks, the veteran linebacker should continue to be a key piece of a formidable defense in 2025.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Could be back next week
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Bonitto (foot) will be sidelined for Saturday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that the team hopes Bonitto will be back at practice the following week after having a bone spur removed from his foot. Bonitto suited up for Denver's preseason opener against the 49ers this past Saturday, occupying his customary starting spot at linebacker.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: One sack in win
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Bonitto recorded 1.0 sacks in Saturday's 30-9 preseason win over the 49ers.
Bonitto looked impressive in Denver's preseason opener, picking up where he left off in a stellar 2024 regular season in which he notched a career high 13.5 sacks. The 25-year-old linebacker was a disruptive force in his limited playing time, recording a sack and three quarterback hits during Denver's second defensive drive of the contest. If Saturday's game is any indication, Bonitto should continue to be one of the Broncos' most impactful defensive players heading into the 2025 season. The veteran should continue to play limited snaps as one of Denver's star defensive players when the Broncos host the Cardinals in Week 2 of the preseason.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Career year in 2024
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Bonitto played in all 17 regular-season games in 2024 and finished with 48 tackles (33 solo), including 13.5 sacks, four pass defenses (including a pick-six), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery that was returned for a touchdown.
The 2022 second-round pick out of Oklahoma led the Broncos with a career-high 13.5 sacks, which was third-most in the NFL behind Trey Hendrickson (17.5) and Myles Garrett (14.0). Bonitto hadn't scored a defensive touchdown in the first two years of his NFL career, but he had back-to-back defensive scores in Week 13 and Week 15. Bonitto's efforts in 2024 earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro, and the 25-year-old edge rusher could be in line for a sizeable contract extension during the offseason.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Records another defensive TD in win
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Bonitto recorded five tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Denver's win over the Colts on Sunday.
Bonitto also scored a defensive touchdown for the second straight game after he picked off a lateral on a trick play from the Colts and took it 50 yards to the house in the fourth quarter. On the season, Bonitto has 41 tackles (28 solo), including 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery in what has been a breakout year for the third-year edge rusher.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Records pair of sacks in win
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Bonitto finished with seven tackles (four solo), including 2.0 sacks, in Sunday's 38-6 win over the Falcons.
The outside linebacker also played on 69 percent of the defensive snaps. Bonitto is up to 9.0 sacks on the year, tied for the second-highest total in the league behind Trey Hendrickson's 11.5.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Expects to practice Saturday
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Coach Sean Payton said that Bonitto should practice Saturday, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.
Bonitto left the Broncos' last game of their 2023 season early due to a calf injury, but it doesn't look like that will carry over to the new football year. Now he'll work to try to improve on the impressive benchmark (8.0 sacks) he set for himself last year.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Impressive in sophomore season
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Bonitto (calf) recorded 30 tackles (23 solo), including eight sacks, two passes defensed and one forced fumble over 15 contests during the 2023 campaign.
Bonitto took a major step forward in his second season, recording the second-highest sack total (eight) among Broncos defenders after recording just 1.5 sacks as a rookie. The 24-year-old linebacker also led Denver with 13 total tackles for loss. Bonitto has proven to be a solid member of the Broncos improving defense and will look to continue to make an impact with the team, as he is under contract through the 2025 season. The one-time second-round selection should continue to see his role grow in Denver in 2024.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Looks good for Sunday
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Bonitto (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday.
Bonitto has been sidelined for Denver's last two games due to a knee injury he sustained in Week 14 at the Chargers, but he now appears to be in line to come back for Week 17. He projects to start on the edge versus a pass-heavy Chargers offense.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: No-go for Week 16
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Bonitto (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Patriots, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Bonitto will miss a second straight game due to a knee injury he suffered Week 14 against the Chargers. Jonathan Cooper and Thomas Incoom will likely see increased workloads again Week 16 versus New England.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Out Saturday
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Bonitto (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lions, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
The starting linebacker left Denver's Week 14 win over the Chargers in the first half and did not return. Bonitto has seven sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble in 2023. Jonathon Cooper replaced Bonitto after his exit Sunday and could be in line to fill in again versus Detroit.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Won't return Week 14
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Bonitto (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Chargers, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
Bonitto was carted from the medical tent to the locker room in the first half of Sunday's game and will not return. He finishes with two tackles, including a shared sack, and Jonathon Cooper will remain at weakside linebacker for the rest of the contest.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: One tackle in limited action
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Bonitto recorded one tackle in Saturday's 21-20 loss to the 49ers.
Bonitto saw action in the Broncos' second preseason tilt after suffering a hip injury in Denver's first preseason contest against the Cardinals. The 23-year-old played on 48 percent of the team's defensive snaps and had a quiet performance. Now that he is healthy, Bonitto figures to play as a rotational linebacker for Denver in 2023.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Hurts hip Friday
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Bonitto picked up a hip injury during Friday's preseason contest against the Cardinals, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Prior to the injury, Bonitto recorded three tackles (one solo) and 0.5 sacks. There is no word yet on the severity of the injury. When healthy, he projects as a rotational linebacker for Denver this season.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Rocky Mountain bound
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The Broncos selected Bonitto in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 64th overall.
Bonitto looks like a nice pick for the Broncos this late, because his production and athletic metrics grade similarly to players picked in the first round. The Oklahoma edge rusher posted seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 12 games last year, his third season as a starter for the Sooners. He also enjoyed a strong combine showing, logging a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 248 pounds. He might be Denver's long-term replacement for Bradley Chubb if they choose to not re-sign him.
