The Lead
Wide receiver Kendall Hinton spent the week leading up to the Broncos’ game against the Titans preparing for one position, but that all changed after the offense’s first play of the game.
At the start of Denver’s first drive, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy suffered an ankle injury and had to exit the game. Hinton was immediately called upon to step into Jeudy’s role without warning, but the former undrafted free agent was able to adjust quickly — just two plays after Jeudy left the game, Hinton hauled in a 35-yard reception on third-and-10 to move the chains for the Broncos. He finished the game with four catches for 62 yards, setting a new career high in receiving yards.
“[Hinton] had not played that position of Jerry’s that week because he was getting ready for a different position,” Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday. “For him to miss practice due to sickness and then go out there and play at that position the whole game — he didn’t have any mental errors. He went out there and made some plays. He toughed it out, and he did a great job.”
Stepping into different roles when necessary has been a theme throughout the third-year receiver’s young career; not only has he played multiple receiving roles, but Hinton’s first NFL appearance in 2020 involved him stepping in to play quarterback.
“Being able to have their trust for different positions and knowing what you’re doing [is important],” Hinton said Wednesday. “I take a lot of pride in knowing every position and studying. That allows me [to get] opportunities.”
Receiving praise for his performance from Hackett and quarterback Russell Wilson after the game was a boost of confidence for Hinton, who consistently works to earn an opportunity each week.
“It means a lot,” Hinton said. “That’s a big thing for me, is getting the trust of my coaches, my teammates, knowing that when I’m on the field, they don’t have anything to worry about. So that praise means a lot; I appreciate Coach and ‘Three’ [Wilson] saying…
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