Tag: blake watson

Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad to game-day roster

The Broncos are elevating RB Blake Watson and DL Matt Henningsen from the practice squad ahead of TNF.

The Denver Broncos are calling up reinforcements from the practice squad ahead of their Week 16 showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Broncos elevated running back Blake Watson and defensive lineman Matt Henningsen from the practice squad to the game-day roster, the team announced Thursday. They will revert back to the practice squad on Friday.

Players can be elevated up to three times during the season without having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad. This marks the first elevations of the season for both Watson and Henningsen.

The Broncos are turning to Watson after losing Jaleel McLaughlin to a quad injury. Watson will serve as the team’s No. 3 running back in L.A. behind Javonte Williams and Audric Estime (wide receiver Marvin Mims might get some snaps at running back as well).

Watson dressed for one game earlier this season, playing one snap on offense and one snap on special teams. He was bumped from the active roster down to the practice squad in October.

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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5 things to watch for when Broncos face Chargers on ‘TNF’

Here are five storylines to watch for when the Broncos face the Chargers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ in Week 16.

The Denver Broncos (9-5) are set to face the Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) on Thursday Night Football in Week 16. Here are five quick storylines to watch for going into Thursday’s game.

1. Broncos running back rotation: Jaleel McLaughlin has been the team’s best running back in recent weeks, but he was ruled out with a quad injury on Wednesday. That will leave Javonte Williams and rookie Audric Estime as the next men up, and Denver will likely elevate Blake Watson from the practice squad. We could see Marvin Mims mix in at running back as well, something he did leading up to the team’s bye week.

2. Denver’s cornerback depth: Riley Moss (knee) has been ruled out again, marking the third game he has missed. Fortunately, Pat Surtain (ankle) was able to practice this week and he was not given an injury designation for Thursday. Kris Abrams-Draine will likely start across from Surtain with Ja’Quan McMillian playing in the slot and Damarri Mathis getting rotational snaps like last week. When these teams met earlier this season, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert went 21-of-34 for 237 yards and a touchdown in a game that Surtain left with a concussion.

3. Broncos’ defense against Herbert and Co.: J.K. Dobbins rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos earlier this season, but he’s now on injured reserve. Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto has scored a touchdown in each of the team’s last two games and he’s just one sack away from tying the NFL leader (Trey Hendrickson has 12.5 sacks). The Broncos, Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles have a three-way tie for the fewest points allowed per game (17.6), so Thursday night could be a defensive struggle.

4. Bo Nix bouncing back from three turnovers: Nix struggled against the Indianapolis Colts last week, throwing a career-high three interceptions. He had a bit of an in-game bounce back with three touchdown passes in a 31-13 win over Indy, but now Nix will have a fresh game to put those mistakes behind him. Nix will face an L.A. defense that allows the 10th-fewest passing yards per game (211.6), a unit that has totaled the seventh-most interceptions (14) and the eighth-most sacks (40) in the league this season.

5. Denver’s potential return to the postseason: The Broncos have already secured their first winning season since 2016. With one more win, Denver will clinch its first playoff berth since winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

Thursday’s game will be available to stream on Prime. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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Broncos inactives: Starting defensive back won’t play vs. Panthers

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Alex Palczewski, P.J. Locke, Kris Abrams-Draine, Greg Dulcich, Dondrea Tillman and Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for a Sunday’s showdown with the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season.

Of note, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) is ACTIVE after passing the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Denver’s inactive players today are quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety P.J. Locke (thumb), offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, tight end Greg Dulcich, outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike.

With Locke inactive, Devon Key is presumably the next man up at safety. JL Skinner and Keidron Smith are also available behind starter Brandon Jones.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Panthers. They will be reactivated on Monday.

Broncos inactives vs. Panthers

  1. QB Zach Wilson*
  2. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  3. DB P.J. Locke (thumb)
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. TE Greg Dulcich
  6. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS. The Broncos are considered big favorites against the Panthers going into Week 8.

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Broncos’ 53-man roster for Panthers game in Week 8

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster ahead of their game against the Panthers in Week 8.

The Denver Broncos have set their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at Empower Field at Mile High.

NFL teams can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week. Denver called up linebacker Kwon Alexander and guard Calvin Throckmorton this week.

Here’s a look at the updated active roster following those moves.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Audric Estime 23
FB Michael Burton  20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Greg Dulcich 80
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Mike McGlinchey 69
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
OL Calvin Throckmorton 76
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Baron Browning 5
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Levelle Bailey 56
ILB Kwon Alexander 12
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
CB Damarri Mathis 27
DB Devon Key 26
DB Keidron Smith 43
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract, plus several players on injured reserve.

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Broncos’ updated 53-man roster for Panthers game in Week 8

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster ahead of their upcoming game against the Panthers in Week 8.

The Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves before their Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints last week.

Perhaps most notably, the Broncos activated outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster.

Denver also elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster ahead of their game in New Orleans last week. Alexander and Throckmorton have since reverted back to the practice squad.

The Broncos also cut running back Blake Watson from the active roster and later re-signed him to the practice squad.

Here’s a look at the updated active roster following those moves.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Audric Estime 23
FB Michael Burton  20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Greg Dulcich 80
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Mike McGlinchey 69
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Baron Browning 5
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Levelle Bailey 56
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
CB Damarri Mathis 27
DB Devon Key 26
DB Keidron Smith 43
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract, plus several players on injured reserve.

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Broncos officially sign running back to practice squad

The Broncos officially signed running back Blake Watson to their practice squad on Saturday after he cleared waivers on Friday.

The Denver Broncos officially signed running back Blake Watson to their practice squad on Saturday, the team announced.

When three players returned from injured reserve ahead of Thursday Night Football, the Broncos needed to create space on the active roster. One of the players Denver cut to make room was Watson. The running back then cleared waivers on Friday and officially re-signed on the practice squad on Saturday.

To make room for Watson on the practice squad, the team cut center Dieter Eiselen.

Watson (5-9, 195 pounds) originally signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis this spring. He led the team in preseason with 26 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 41 yards.

Watson was active for just one regular season game this year when Audric Estime and Tyler Badie were both on IR. Estime has since returned and Badie will be eligible to return from IR in Week 9.

For now, Watson will serve as the fourth-string running back from the practice squad. He’ll likely be bumped to RB5 when Badie returns.

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Broncos cut offensive lineman from practice squad

The Broncos cut center Dieter Eiselen from the practice squad on Saturday.

The Denver Broncos released center Dieter Eiselen from their practice squad on Saturday, the team announced.

Eiselen (6-4, 300 pounds) just signed with the club last week after the team lost starting center Luke Wattenberg to an ankle injury. Denver still has Calvin Throckmorton and Nick Gargiulo providing depth from the practice squad as swing guard/center backups.

The Broncos cut Eiselen to make room for running back Blake Watson on the practice squad. Denver cut Watson from the active roster on Thursday and he returned on the practice squad after clearing waivers.

The Broncos currently have one true center (Alex Forsyth) and three running backs (Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime) on the 53-man roster. Wattenberg (center) and Tyler Badie (running back) will be eligible to return from IR later this season.

In the meantime, Throckmorton and Gargiulo will provide depth at center and Watson will provide running back from the practice squad.

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Running back recently cut by Broncos returns on practice squad after clearing waivers

After being cut on Thursday, RB Blake Watson cleared waivers on Friday and he will return to the Broncos on the practice squad.

After clearing waivers, running back Blake Watson plans to return to the Denver Broncos on the practice squad, according to multiple reports.

Watson was waived by the Broncos on Thursday when the team made a flurry of roster moves ahead of their game against the New Orleans Saints.

The 25-year-old running back originally signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis following the 2024 NFL draft. Watson dressed for one game this season when Audric Estime and Tyler Badie were both on injured reserve, playing just one snap on offense and one snap on special teams in his lone appearance.

With Estime now back on the active roster and Badie eligible to return in Week 9, the Broncos opted not to carry Watson on the 53-man roster.

Watson led the team in preseason with 26 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 41 yards this summer.

Following a 33-10 win over the Saints on Thursday, Denver has a mini bye this weekend ahead of their next game against the Carolina Panthers at home in Week 8 on Oct. 27.

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7 players did not play in Broncos’ win vs. Saints

The Broncos held out seven players from Thursday’s game against the Saints, including CB Pat Surtain, who is recovering from a concussion.

Seven members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 33-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion), offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and tight end Greg Dulcich were inactive in Week 7.

Wilson was inactive but was still dressed as an emergency third quarterback.

Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, made his 2024 debut when he entered the game late in the fourth quarter for kneel-downs. After Stidham entered the game, all of the Broncos’ active players had seen the field on TNF.

Broncos who did not play in Week 7

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  2. CB Pat Surtain (concussion)
  3. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. TE Greg Dulcich
  6. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

Denver waived running back Blake Watson on Thursday, but if he clears waivers, the Broncos are expected to re-sign him to the practice squad.

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Broncos inactives: 7 players won’t play on ‘Thursday Night Football’

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Pat Surtain, Kris Abrams-Draine, Alex Palczewski, Greg Dulcich, Dondrea Tillman and Eni Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion), offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle), cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and tight end Greg Dulcich are inactive today.

*Technically, Wilson is still available to play as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and primary backup Jarrett Stidham, but he’s on the inactive list and does not count against the game-day roster. Wilson can play if both Nix and Stidham are injured.

With the exception of Wilson, these inactive players are members of the 53-man roster who are not eligible to play against the Saints. They will be reactivated following the game.

Broncos inactives on TNF

  1. QB Zach Wilson*
  2. CB Pat Surtain (concussion)
  3. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. TE Greg Dulcich
  6. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  7. DL Eyioma Uwazurike

The Broncos’ game against the Saints will be available to stream on Prime Video. Fans who watch on mobile devices can stream Thursday Night Football for free on Twitch.

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