Tag: blake watson

Broncos inactives: Devaughn Vele won’t play vs. Bucs

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Devaughn Vele, JL Skinner, Blake Watson, Kris Abrams-Draine, Lucas Krull and Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety JL Skinner (ankle), wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs), running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike 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.

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

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver elevated running back Tyler Badie and defensive back Tanner McCalister from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday.

The Broncos’ game against the Buccaneers will be regionally televised on Fox. Denver is considered a road underdog in Week 3.

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8 players did not play in Broncos’ game vs. Steelers

Eight players did not play for the Broncos in Week 2, including rookie running back Blake Watson, who was a healthy scratch.

Eight members of the Denver Broncos’ 53-man roster did not play in the team’s Week 2 showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson, wide receiver Devaughn Vele, running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike were inactive for Sunday’s game.

Vele was sidelined due to injury, the six other inactive players were healthy scratches. Despite being inactive, Wilson still dressed as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback. Bo Nix played every snap on offense, so primary backup Jarrett Stidham did not play, giving Denver eight total players who did not see the field against the Steelers.

Watson was inactive for the second straight week despite Audric Estime going on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The Broncos elevated Tyler Badie from the practice squad to serve as RB3 against Pittsburgh. Badie had one carry for 16 yards and one catch for two yards on Sunday.

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Broncos inactives: Troy Franklin will make NFL debut vs. Steelers

Broncos inactives today: Zach Wilson*, Devaughn Vele (ribs), Blake Watson, Kris Abrams-Draine, Frank Crum, Lucas Krull and Eyioma Uwazurike.

The Denver Broncos have announced their list of seven inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, wide receiver Devaughn Vele (ribs), running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Lucas Krull and defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike 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.

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

After being inactive last week, rookie wide receiver Troy Franklin is active today and set to make his NFL debut against Pittsburgh. Left tackle Garett Bolles (calf) is also active.

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (calf) is inactive, but he will serve as Pittsburgh’s emergency third-string QB on Sunday.

Elsewhere on the roster front, Denver elevated wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and running back Tyler Badie from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. Badie gets the nod as RB3 over Watson today.

The Broncos’ game against the Steelers will be regionally televised on CBS. Denver is considered a betting underdog despite playing at home.

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8 players did not play in Broncos’ season opener

The Broncos held out eight players during their season opener against the Seahawks on Sunday.

Eight members of the Denver Broncos’ 53-man roster did not play in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin, tight end Lucas Krull, running back Blake Watson, offensive tackle Frank Crum, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike and cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine were healthy scratches.

Zach Wilson was also “inactive,” but he dressed for the game as an emergency third-string quarterback. No such emergencies arose so Wilson never entered the game.

Primary backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham did not get any snaps, either, giving Denver eight total players who did not play in Seattle. The 45 other players on the Broncos’ active roster all played at least one snap.

Perhaps the most notable player among Denver’s inactives on Sunday was Franklin, who was a fourth-round pick in April’s draft. Franklin struggled to make an impact in preseason and he does not play on special teams, so it’s not too surprising that he’s beginning the season as a healthy scratch.

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Broncos view Blake Watson as a developmental running back

The Broncos view rookie Blake Watson as a developmental running back going into his first season. Watson is RB4 on the depth chart.

Following the 2024 NFL draft, Memphis running back Blake Watson was one of the top college free agents available, and the Denver Broncos managed to sign him as part of their UDFA class.

After rushing 26 times for 84 yards and a touchdown in preseason and adding two receptions for 41 yards, Watson made Denver’s 53-man roster. He’s on the squad, but Watson might be a candidate for the inactive list early in the season.

“[He is a] developmental running back,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said last week. “He has ‘Joker’ traits. I’d say he’s strong in traffic. When you just watch his preseason runs, they’re unremarkable if you will, but then when you watch them in a row, there’s power with his finish.

“He had these rare times, 4.31, 11.2 and all these blue marks. Then you see his ball skills. I think he fell behind a little bit at the start with his injury, but we felt strongly it was going to be hard for us to clear him through waivers. That was based on the six or seven teams that we were competing with [to sign him this spring]. That’s where he’s at today.”

Right now, Watson is behind Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime on the depth chart, so he probably won’t have a big role right out of the gate. Backfields can change quickly in the NFL, though, so we can’t rule out the possibility of Watson getting opportunities this fall. As things stand, Watson is one to watch for the future.

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Broncos’ UDFA success continues on 2024 roster

“The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” GM George Paton said.

The Denver Broncos have had unprecedented success with undrafted free agents making their 53-man roster. Two undrafted free agents made the roster this year, offensive lineman Frank Crum and running back Blake Watson. Linebacker Levelle Bailey also made the initial active roster and is now returning on the practice squad.

When it was announced that these two players made the 53-man squad, it marked the 20th time in 21 years that at least one undrafted free agent made the roster.

In a Zoom call last week, Broncos general manager George Paton credited the team’s scouting. “The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” said Paton.

Paton had this to say about Crum, who was a University of Wyoming product: “Crum, you don’t get many 6-7 guys or whatever he is that can bend like he does and has the power he does. He’s still raw. You see him in pass-pro. I know he got beat a couple of times, but for a kid who played at Wyoming and a first-year rookie in the NFL to do some of the things he did in practice and versus Green Bay. He played well in Indy obviously. I thought he played well most of the game. He had a few breakdowns, but really talented. I really love the upside of Crum.”

Watson had a memorable impression on coaches at his Top 30 visit. “Watson, we got to know him on the Top-30,” Paton said. “That’s why those Top-30s are really important. You get to know the player and he gets to see what you’re all about. He gets to see Denver and our facilities. It makes it easier when you’re trying to get him as a college free agent.”

Last year, four UDFAs made the Broncos’ 53-man roster, including running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Watson and Crum will aim to continue the success of the team’s past UDFAs this fall.

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4 Broncos players change jersey numbers after roster cuts

Following a flurry of roster cuts, four Broncos players have changed their jersey numbers ahead of the 2024 season.

After making 38 roster moves this week, the Denver Broncos have set a 53-man roster and a 15-player practice squad. Following the flurry of moves, four players have changed jersey numbers as the dust settles.

Broncos practice squad wide receiver David Sills switched from No. 87 to No. 13, which was made available when receiver Phillip Dorsett was cut.

Denver running back Audric Estime switched from No. 37 to No. 23, formerly worn by cut linebacker Andre Smith.

Fellow running back Blake Watson switched from No. 43 to No. 25, which was formerly worn by Samaje Perine before he was released. Watson and safety Keidron Smith shared No. 43 during the offseason. Smith will stick with No. 43 going into the season.

Finally, practice squad running back Tyler Badie switched from No. 36 to No. 28, which was formerly worn by cut cornerback Art Green.

Broncos’ new jersey numbers

  • WR David Sills: No. 13
  • RB Audric Estime: No. 23
  • RB Blake Watson: No. 25
  • RB Tyler Badie: No. 28

Denver’s active roster now appears to be pretty set. The team has one more practice squad signing to make before completing a 70-player squad. We will track all of the team’s moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos explain decision to release veteran RB Samaje Perine

“It’s not just because they are young; we like the talent,” Broncos GM George Paton said of Denver’s backfield after cutting Samaje Perine.

The Denver Broncos released veteran running back Samaje Perine on Tuesday, a move that might have surprised NFL fans who are not familiar with the team’s backfield.

Denver opted to carry four running backs on the 53-man roster: Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime and Blake Watson. All four are younger than Perine with more long-term upside.

“With Samaje, [he’s] another great pro,” GM George Paton said on Tuesday shortly after addressing the Tim Patrick release. “He’s going to move on and do well somewhere else. [That is] another stacked room and it’s not just because they are young, [but] we like the talent. They are young and they are talented, the whole group. Javonte, Jaleel, Estime and then this Watson kid is really talented. … [W]e like the room. We loved having Samaje here. He won us games. We just wish him the best.”

Perine was arguably the team’s best blocking and receiving option in the backfield, but he doesn’t contribute on special teams the way Denver’s young running backs will this season.

“[S]pecial teams does factor in at the running back position,” Paton said. “Audric’s probably going to be a four-core teamer. Jaleel can return and Watson can do some things on teams. That does factor in.”

As Paton noted, Perine should have no problem catching on elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Broncos will now look to build their practice squad. One potential candidate to return is running back Tyler Badie, who performed well in preseason. We will track all of Denver’s moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos backfield is set after Denver picks Blake Watson over Tyler Badie

The Broncos waived Tyler Badie on Tuesday, but undrafted rookie Blake Watson has made the initial 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos are carrying four running backs on their initial 53-man roster after choosing undrafted rookie Blake Watson over Tyler Badie.

Badie had a good summer and scored two touchdowns in preseason (one rushing and one receiving), but Denver’s backfield is crowded. He will likely be a candidate to return on the practice squad, where he spent last season.

Watson was one of the top undrafted free agents available this spring and a sleeper to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. He rushed 26 times for 84 yards and one touchdown in preseason.

Denver will also trade or release Samaje Perine today, a move that will save $3 million in salary cap space.

The Broncos are moving forward with Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookies Audric Estime and Watson as their top four RBs in 2024. Badie could serve as the fifth RB on the practice squad.

We are tracking all of Denver’s roster moves on Broncos Wire.

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12 hardest and most surprising cuts on Broncos’ projected 53-man roster

These were the hardest players to cut on our projected 53-man roster for the Broncos.

After wrapping up preseason on Sunday, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton must now trim the squad from 91 players down to a 53-man roster by Tuesday afternoon.

Before the cuts begin (likely later today), we put together one final 53-man roster prediction for the Broncos. It featured a dozen difficult decisions, and some of the players we cut might be surprising to fans in Denver.

At wide receiver, for example, Brandon Johnson was cut despite scoring a 46-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals. On the defensive line, Jordan Jackson was cut after totaling two sacks on Sunday. Pass rusher Dondrea Tillman is also a cut candidate despite his standout performance in the preseason finale.

Linebacker Levelle Bailey’s 94-yard pick-six didn’t guarantee him a spot on the squad. Safety Keidron Smith’s three preseason takeaways weren’t enough for him to make it, either.

Such is life in the NFL.

12 hardest (projected) Broncos roster cuts

1. WR Brandon Johnson
2. RB Tyler Badie
3. RB Blake Watson
4. OL Nick Gargiulo
5. OL Sam Mustipher
6. OT Alex Palczewski
7. DL Jordan Jackson
8. DL Matt Henningsen
9. OLB Dondrea Tillman
10. ILB Levelle Bailey
11. DB Keidron Smith
12. P Riley Dixon

If they clear waivers, most of the above players would likely return on the practice squad. Our projected cuts are also just that — projections. Several of these players could end up making the 53-man roster. We’ll find out soon enough. All of Denver’s roster cuts will be tracked on Broncos Wire.

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