Broncos players defend Russell Wilson after report said he lost locker room

Members of the Denver Broncos have defended quarterback Russell Wilson after a report said he "lost" some members of the locker room. 

"I’ll say this: I’ll say Russ is an amazing leader," Denver safety Justin Simmons told reporters, according to Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press. "He’s an amazing teammate and ... I know it’s a quarterback-driven league, but leadership never falls under one guy

"I don’t know where that report would have come from and quite honestly ... I would just like to keep the questions geared toward Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens." 

Simmons was speaking as the 3-8 Broncos are preparing to play at the 7-4 Ravens this Sunday and after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (h/t New York Post) reported earlier this week that Wilson "has lost some people around that team" and "lost some people in that locker room." It was later said that "about half the team" did (and did not) attend a midweek birthday party held for Wilson. 

On Wednesday, Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett called the chatter "all gossip," while Wilson insisted he has "got great relationships in that locker room." 

Meanwhile, Denver guard Dalton Risner said the Pelissero story was "just hilarious in my opinion" despite struggles endured by the club and quarterback. 

"I know it’s not true," Risner added. "I know that I know who Russell is. I respect him so much. I respect the way he integrates within our locker room. And I feel all year he hasn’t been able to catch a break. I feel like all year people are just making up rumors about him, whether that be he’s not a good teammate or he’s lost the locker room, apparently, or whatever the heck it is. A lot of it is just so outlandish to me because I get to see him work every day. I get to see how much he cares about the guys in the locker room. And the devotion he has to this game. And the attitude he brings to practice every day. And the attitude he brings to the football field." 

Back in October, NFL Network's Kyle Brandt labeled Wilson a "poser" and "one of the least authentic personalities we have in this league," in part because of the signal-caller's "Broncos Country, let’s ride" catchphrase he's used at the end of media segments. NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson, one of Wilson's former teammates, later said that there could be "mutiny" in the Denver locker room over Wilson's poor play and the team's dismal record. 

Per ESPN stats, Wilson began Thursday 29th among qualified quarterbacks with an 82.3 passer rating and 30th with a 32.2 total QBR this season. In 10 games, he's thrown just eight touchdown passes and five interceptions.