The Denver Broncos have been hit with the injury bug. Over the past couple of weeks, they've watched several key players go down, notably star edge rusher Nik Bonitto, wide receivers Marvin Mims Jr. and Jaylen Waddle, and, most recently, running back J.K. Dobbins. Bonitto and Mims are already back at practice, Waddle is expected to return in the coming days, and head coach Sean Payton has downplayed Dobbins' injury, which forced him out of Monday's practice.

Still, Payton isn't taking any chances. After a string of what he's called "soft tissue" injuries, Payton has adjusted the team's practice routine, having the strength and conditioning staff add a longer warm-down period at the end of sessions — something he intends to prioritize in the coming days.

"Got to get a handle on some of the soft-tissue stuff ... Strains, hamstring or groins, [we] continue to fight through that," Payton said. "I don't think it's heat-related ... You always try to look at your pre-practice routine, your hydration obviously."

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The Broncos posted a 14-3 record last season, their highest win total since 1998, and reached their first AFC Championship Game since 2015, the last time they won the Super Bowl with Peyton Manning.

They're running it back with largely the same group on defense while adding several exciting new pieces on offense, notably Waddle, rookie running back Jonah Coleman, and rookie tight end Justin Joly. With Bo Nix healthy after offseason ankle surgery, expectations are high that Denver will again be one of the best teams in the AFC.

But injuries can derail even the best teams, and both Waddle and Dobbins have extensive injury histories. Right now, the games don't count — which is exactly why building strong routines matters. A more formal, established warm-down after practice is a small step, but if it helps establish good habits now, it could pay off when the regular season begins.

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