Bonitto (back) returned to practice Wednesday, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.
Bonitto has been dealing with a back issue for the past week or so, but it now appears that he's moved past the injury. The 2022 second-round pick out of Oklahoma recorded 30 total tackles, including 8.0 sacks across 15 games in his sophomore campaign, and he's expected to remain an impactful edge rusher heading into 2024.
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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: Finds quarterback often in victory
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Bonitto totaled four tackles (three solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in Sunday's 31-28 win over the Bears.
Bonitto spent the majority of his afternoon in the opponent's backfield and made a significant impact on the outcome of the contest by forcing a fumble in the fourth quarter that was scooped up for a 35-yard score. The one-time second-round pick sits with 13 tackles (10 solo), including 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble through the first four games of the 2023 season.
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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.
