The Broncos are raking in awards for their outstanding defense.   

Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was named AFC defensive player of the week Wednesday for his performance in a 13-11 win over the Jets in London.  

Cooper logged an NFL-high two sacks, plus three quarterback hits and one tackle for loss against New York. His quarterback pressure percentage (43.8%) led the league in Week 6, according to Next Gen Stats. 

“First and foremost, that’s all God, honestly. And my family, my mom, just the way that she raised me,” Bonitto said after practice Wednesday at Broncos Park. “I think it’s just really cool being able to do that for my city. Just my story, where I came from, it’s truly a blessing and an honor and I don’t take it for granted at all.” 

Cooper is the second Broncos player to earn the award in consecutive weeks. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto claimed the honor in Week 5 against the Eagles. Bonitto recorded 2.5 sacks in a 21-17 road win over Philadelphia. On Wednesday, he joked about Cooper being named AFC defensive player of the week. 

“Ya’ll can just give all the credit to me,” Bonitto told reporters with a smile. “I’m always pushing him in practice. I’m always making him go a little bit harder and stuff like that. … I want him to have more than me. I’m just happy that he’s getting them.” 

The Broncos (4-2) host the Giants (2-4) on Sunday at Empower Field. 

Peart injury 

Backup left guard Matt Peart played nearly the entire game in London against the Jets with a torn MCL in his left knee. On Tuesday, the Broncos placed him on injured reserve. 

“He tore his MCL on the third play of the game last week and fought through it for us,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said Wednesday. “The character of him to do that for us and our football team to get a win … is so impressive.” 

Tight end Adam Trautman added: “I told (Peart) yesterday: ‘I respect the hell out of that.’ I know everyone else does, too.” 

Starting left guard Ben Powers is also on injured reserve (biceps). Coach Sean Payton would not speculate who will start Sunday against the Giants. 

“You never want to lose a guy that’s been dressing, but we’ll have the next player ready,” Payton said. “Today was a good practice for a number of those guys that have played and some of them that haven’t played as much. We’ll be ready.” 

Sutton on DT tradition 

Demaryius Thomas will join the Broncos Ring of Fame on Sunday. The former wide receiver, who passed away in 2021, was a Broncos veteran when the team drafted wide receiver Courtland Sutton.  

Sutton reflected Wednesday on how Thomas impacted his NFL career, and specifically, about a tradition that he’s carried on in his memory. Sutton orders doughnuts for Broncos employees on Saturdays. 

“I have this little thing that I do for some of the guys in the building. It started off as a rookie duty that (Thomas) gave me,” Sutton said. “He was like: ‘Hey, I’ve been doing this, but I’m going to pass it to you.’ As a rookie, he passed the doughnuts tradition down to me. … Every Saturday, I get the chance to call in and order doughnuts. It’s a small wink (like) he’s always still around.”  

NYG rookies 

Two of the most explosive New York players are a pair of rookies: Quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo.  

Dart, a first-round pick, has led the Giants to a 2-1 record since taking over as starter over ex-Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. He’s accounted for five touchdowns (one rushing) over that span. 

“The team is rallying behind (Dart). He is very confident,” cornerback Pat Surtain said after practice Wednesday. “It seems like he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. You can just see the poise and intangibles. He can make every throw across the field. A very underrated part of his game is his scrambling ability and his ability to create second-chance opportunities for his offense on his feet. … I think he will be a great player for sure in this league.”  

Skattebo, a fourth-round pick, is known for his willingness to bulldoze defenders. Skattebo has rushed for five touchdowns this season. On Wednesday, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers described Skattebo’s aggressive running style as “outrageous.” 

“He’s a physical player,” Franklin-Myers said. “He’s looking for contact.”