The 2026 season officially kicks off for the Denver Broncos with their first preseason game being on the road against the Atlanta Falcons. Starters will play 10-15 snaps, but no Bo Nix. He’ll make his 2026 debut next week. There is plenty of position competition happening across the roster, so these games should give fans a good look at who might have the upper hand heading into the final weeks of training camp.
Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Mile High time on Friday, August 14, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. You can also check local Broncos radio network affiliate stations. Join the discussion in the comments section below.
Broncos at Falcons live updatesI would not expect Jaylen Waddle, J.K. Dobbins or Luke Wattenberg to play tonight.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 14, 2026
Bo Nix will also not play.
I'm told Pat Surtain II wanted to play tonight and pushed to do so.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 14, 2026
Notable #Broncos on the field now in uniform warming up include Courtland Sutton, Pat Surtain II, Ja'Quan McMillian, Riley Moss, Brandon Jones
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 14, 2026
Nope. No Alex Forsyth or Alex Palczewski playing tonight. https://t.co/zMaIBhRzzU
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) August 14, 2026
Calvin Throckmorton at center alogn with the rest of the #Broncos starting OL tonight, based on warmups.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) August 14, 2026
#DENvsATL 🔜 pic.twitter.com/NhrhTZ0pnF
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 14, 2026
The Broncos' season ending with Jarrett Stidham starting one game.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 14, 2026
Denver's preseason will start with Jarrett Stidham starting one game.
Bo Nix will be back next week.
Cam Ross and Kolbe Katsis deep to field the opening kickoff for the Broncos.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 14, 2026
Pat Bryant, who else? Goes for 15 yards
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 14, 2026
Starting offense for the Broncos:
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 14, 2026
Stidham
Bolles
Powers
Throckmorton
Meinerz
McGlinchey
Harvey
Prentice
Trautman
Bryant
Sutton
Big Play Court 💪@SuttonCourtland | 📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/qkmFLMZ9yQ
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 14, 2026
1-yard touchdown run by fullback Adam Prentice for Broncos.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 14, 2026
3rd and 15..
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 14, 2026
Falcons go 3 and out
Broncos offense – big play and touchdown
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 14, 2026
Broncos defense – stuff, sack, and 3 and out
Pretty damn good start to the preseason by the Broncos
Denver's starting offense is back on the field for a second series.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 14, 2026
COURTLAND SUTTON ONE HANDER 🔥🔥🔥
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) August 14, 2026
🚨 @SuttonCourtland doing @SuttonCourtland things 🚨
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 14, 2026
📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/CRnt4m1AZt
Evan Engram had the second-highest drop rate in the NFL among tight ends with at least 25 targets last year. That drop isn't a good sign.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 14, 2026
Broncos' edge rushers got after Tagovailoa on that series.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 14, 2026
Elliss forced an incompletion with a pressure, and Bonitto & Cooper disrupted a third-down throw.
Evan Engram with a nice bounce-back to kick-start the offense's third possession and get the Broncos out of the shadow of the uprights. 24 yards.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 14, 2026
Impressive first quarter for Jarrett Stidham for #Broncos. 6 of 8 for 122 yards and 116.7 passer rating.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 14, 2026
This is why #Broncos drafted Jonah Coleman. He is a thumper. #BroncosCountrypic.twitter.com/Czz5d1e3z0
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) August 14, 2026
#Broncos OC Davis Webb is gonna have to find a way to feed three RBs because between J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey, and Jonah Coleman — they got some sauce!
— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) August 14, 2026
Wil Lutz is GOOD from 43 yards
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 14, 2026
Broncos: 10
Falcons: 0
Riley Moss comes up big with an interception for #Broncos. Having a nice training camp and now a pick.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 14, 2026
Riley Moss INT! 💰💰 pic.twitter.com/H59m0PLOBo
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 14, 2026
TOUCHDOWN, Broncos.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 14, 2026
Jarrett Stidham avoided pressure and flipped it to Jaleel McLaughlin, who did the rest.
17-0, Denver.
Takeaway ➡️ Touchdown 💪
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 14, 2026
📺: 9NEWS | @Speedkills2k_pic.twitter.com/RDqldiYvFI
Broncos' starting defense is on the field for a fourth drive.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 15, 2026
Atlanta ran just 10 plays over the first three drives, so not at that 15-play mark that HC Sean Payton mentioned going into the game.
Broncos sideline injury update: LB Levelle Bailey came off a play hopping on one foot. After getting checked out in the injury tent, he was taken off the field in a cart. @KOAColorado@BroncosRadio
— Susie Wargin (@SusieWargin) August 15, 2026
Red Murdock with back-to-back tackles. Second one saw him get near the sideline and bring down Vinny Anthony. Showing the same kind of burst and quick diagnosis that's stood out on the practice fields.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 15, 2026
Regular role hasn't developed yet, but the #Broncos loved Jahdae Barron's tackling ability out of Texas and that's carried over to his NFL game.
— Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) August 15, 2026
BARRON!!!! HE GONE
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 15, 2026
TOUCHDOWN
.@Officia1dae to the 🏡!
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 15, 2026
📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/2r6HDk2HDZ
Jaleel McLaughlin walking slowly. Putting weight on his legs, but being guided by team medical personnel. Headed for the blue medical tent.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 15, 2026
Jahdae Barron nearly had his second INT… went right through his hands.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 15, 2026
Sean Payton on the lack of Falcons fans at the game
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 15, 2026
"A lot of people dressed up as empty seats today" 😂 pic.twitter.com/W7DTGA2I2r
Sam Ehlinger time!
— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) August 15, 2026
Stidham set the bar high
Bobbled snap on 55-yard field-goal attempt by Wil Lutz. Looked a little low to holder Jeremy Crawshaw.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 15, 2026
Jaleel McLaughlin back in the game
— Ryan Edwards (@redwardsradio) August 15, 2026
Jaleel McLaughlin loses the fumble … Falcons recover. Ball punched out as McLaughlin is diving for extra yardage.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) August 15, 2026
.@JosephManjack is is old school
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2026
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/Okn1dpDISs
Broncos give up their first points of the game with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 15, 2026
Sam Ehlinger looks deep for Dane Key. Initially ruled an interception, but replay assist comes in to say it was an incomplete pass.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 15, 2026
Atlanta's offense and Denver's defense were already on the field.
Ehlinger and Co. jog back out for a third-down play.
Wil Lutz not good from 56 yards.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevens) August 15, 2026
A big hectic on the setup of the field goal unit.
Drew Sanders getting involved.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 15, 2026
Picks up the third-down sack and forces an Atlanta punt.