Broncos safety Brandon Jones handles kicks in practice, going 3-for-4 for Wil Lutz

During Denver Broncos training camp, a day’s practice turned into an unexpected two-role checkpoint when kicker Wil Lutz missed a session and safety Brandon Jones took over kicking duties. According to Yahoo Sports, the Broncos had only one kicker on their 90-man roster entering the moment, making the availability of Lutz especially consequential for the day’s work.

The reason for Lutz’s absence was tied to the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend. Yahoo Sports reported that Lutz missed Saturday’s practice to attend former teammate Drew Brees’ induction into the Hall. Brees, of course, is one of the most prominent quarterbacks in franchise history for the New Orleans Saints and a noted member of the Hall Class, and his induction drew attention across the league.

With Lutz unavailable, Jones received the opportunity to kick in practice. Yahoo Sports reported that Jones went 3-for-4 during the session, giving the Broncos a look at an emergency option at a specialized position. The accuracy number matters in camp because coaches typically want to keep evaluation flowing, even when the primary specialist is not present.

The story also highlights an NFL roster reality that often stays invisible until it becomes relevant. Even on rosters built for specialization, teams still carry backups who can absorb rare, high-leverage responsibilities. For Denver, the idea that a safety could be used as a kicking contingency speaks to both roster structure and the willingness to adapt day-to-day during camp.

From a team-building standpoint, the evaluation value is broader than just the makes and misses. If Jones can reliably handle field-goal work in practice, the Broncos gain more flexibility for managing practice reps and keeping special teams units progressing when unexpected absences occur. At the same time, coaches and players would still expect the long-term kicking job to belong to their designated kicker.

In the immediate term, the situation is also a reminder of how the Pro Football Hall of Fame and league-wide milestones can intersect with the daily mechanics of camp. Personal travel, family obligations, and other off-field events can change who shows up for live-period work, and the Broncos used the moment to test depth rather than pause.

What to watch next is whether Denver’s kicking contingency planning stays in that same lane or whether the team’s approach changes as camp continues. If Lutz returns to full participation quickly, Jones’s role may recede to its normal level, but the 3-for-4 practice line establishes that the Broncos have at least one internal alternative worth knowing about.