The Broncos are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and have been called "soft" by general manager John Elway. It's no surprise tensions were high Thursday ahead of an AFC West division matchup with the Raiders.
According to NBC Denver, the Broncos had a "spirited" Thanksgiving practice that included two fights and a serious conversation between defensive secondary leader Aqib Talib and Elway. The report said rookie receiver and punt returner Isaiah McKenzie was involved in a tussle with cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and lineman Connor McGovern got into it with defensive lineman Zach Kerr.
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After practice, McKenzie was reportedly in tears in the locker room after running back C.J. Anderson gave him a pep talk. Head coach Vance Joseph was deep in discussion with now-backup quarterback Brock Osweiler, who was benched in favor of Paxton Lynch ahead of Sunday's matchup with the rival Raiders.
The animated practice comes just days after Elway clarified that he was also referring to himself when he said his team had gotten "soft" amid a six-game skid.
"I was talking about everybody in the organization… Sometimes success will make you soft and you won't pay attention to some of the details that you need to pay attention to," Elway said Tuesday. "And I'd put myself first in line there."
Elway came under fire for the comments he made last week during a ceremony honoring former Broncos coach Red Miller and Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis, and even stirred emotions in the team's locker room as Brandon Marshall and Harris expressed their frustration with his remarks.