Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad after roster moves

Michael Burton up, Keidron Smith down. Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated practice squad.

The Denver Broncos made a change to their practice squad this week.

The first domino fell on Tuesday when the Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith from the active roster. Denver then promoted fullback Michael Burton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

After he cleared waivers, Smith re-joined the team on the practice squad on Thursday. Burton and Smith essentially swapped places this week.

The NFL’s standard practice squad size limit is 16 players, but there’s an exception that allows an extra international player to not count against the limit. For Denver, Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin is an exception, giving the Broncos a 17-player practice squad.

So here’s the full list of 17 players on the squad after the recent moves.

Broncos 17-player practice squad

  1. RB Blake Watson
  2. WR Michael Bandy
  3. WR David Sills
  4. WR A.T. Perry
  5. TE Donald Parham
  6. TE Thomas Yassmin
  7. OT Cam Fleming
  8. OL Nick Garguilo
  9. DT Jordan Miller
  10. DL Matt Henningsen
  11. OLB Andrew Farmer
  12. LB Kwon Alexander
  13. LB Zach Cunningham
  14. CB Reese Taylor
  15. DB Quinton Newsome
  16. DB Tanner McCalister
  17. DB Keidron Smith 

Two players can be elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week.

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Predicting 14 roster moves Broncos could make in second half of season

The Broncos have seven players who could be returning to the 53-man roster soon. Here’s how they could make room for them.

The Denver Broncos could be getting a flurry of reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) are now eligible to return from injured reserve, safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) returned to practice last week and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) is “close to returning.” His timeline is uncertain, but running back Tyler Badie (back) is also eligible to return from IR.

Meanwhile, linebacker Kwon Alexander is out of practice squad elevations and coach Sean Payton hinted last week that Alexander will eventually end up on the 53-man roster. Denver also bumped fullback Michael Burton down to the practice squad last week. Burton can be elevated one more time. After that, he will likely be a candidate to return to the active roster as well.

Reynolds, Alexander and Wattenberg are presumably candidates to all return to the 53-man roster this week. Sanders, Burton, Turner-Yell and Badie might also return at some point in the future.

The Broncos don’t have to make room for all of them right away — new injuries could open spots in the coming weeks — but the team will have to make some roster decisions, soon.

Denver opened up one spot by trading outside linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The Broncos could open another spot by bumping offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton down to the practice squad.

Denver could open three more spots if they traded tight end Greg Dulcich, cornerback Damarri Mathis and quarterback Zach Wilson ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. If they aren’t traded, Dulcich and Mathis might be candidates to attempt to get down to the practice squad. And given Payton’s recent frustrations with the team’s receivers, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey could be in danger of losing his spot on the active roster.

So with as many as seven players potentially returning to the active roster in the second half of the season, here are predictions on how the Broncos could make room for them. Keep in mind that these are projections — this is not a report of what the team will do. Rather, it’s a projection of what the team could do.

  1. WR Josh Reynolds activated from IR
  2. OLB Baron Browning traded (confirmed)
  3. C Luke Wattenberg activated from IR
  4. OL Calvin Throckmorton cut from 53
  5. LB Kwon Alexander promoted to 53
  6. TE Greg Dulcich traded or cut
  7. LB Drew Sanders activated from PUP
  8. CB Damarri Mathis traded or cut
  9. FB Michael Burton activated to 53
  10. QB Zach Wilson traded
  11. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell activated from IR
  12. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey demoted to PS
  13. RB Tyler Badie activated from IR
  14. Future player placed on IR

Denver seems likely to make at least a few moves this week. Stay tuned.

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9 players did not play in Broncos’ loss to Ravens

The Broncos held out nine players from Sunday’s game against the Ravens.

Nine members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 41-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, safety P.J. Locke (thumb), cornerback Damarri Mathis, defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Greg Dulcich and outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman were inactive in Week 9.

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

Jarrett Stidham, Denver’s primary backup quarterback, also did not play as Bo Nix took every snap on offense. Backup offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton was also an unused substitute, giving the Broncos nine players who did not see the field in Baltimore.

Broncos who did not play in Week 9

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  2. DB P.J. Locke (thumb)
  3. CB Damarri Mathis
  4. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  5. OT Frank Crum
  6. TE Greg Dulcich
  7. OLB Dondrea Tillman
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)
  9. OL Calvin Throckmorton (active)

Devon Key filled in for Locke at safety. We’ll see if Locke is able to return in time for the team’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs next week.

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Broncos’ 53-man roster for Ravens game in Week 9

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster ahead of their game against the Ravens in Week 9.

The Denver Broncos have set their 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

NFL teams can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week. Denver called up linebacker Kwon Alexander and fullback Michael Burton this week. The Broncos also promoted offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to the active roster 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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Recapping the 5 roster moves Broncos made ahead of Ravens game

Calvin Throckmorton was promoted to the 53-man roster and Michael Burton and Kwon Alexander were elevated to the game-day roster for Week 9.

The Denver Broncos made five roster moves ahead of their showdown with the Baltimore Ravens, including three transactions involving the same player.

First, the Broncos released fullback Michael Burton from the 53-man roster on Friday. Denver then promoted offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the active roster, filling Burton’s old spot.

The Broncos brought Burton back on Saturday, signing him to the practice squad. The fullback and offensive linemen essentially swapped spots this week.

Denver then elevated Burton and linebacker Kwon Alexander from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 9. Burton and Alexander will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Broncos roster moves

  1. Cut FB Michael Burton from 53-man roster
  2. Promoted OL Calvin Throckmorton to 53-man roster
  3. Signed FB Michael Burton to practice squad
  4. Elevated LB Kwon Alexander to game-day roster
  5. Elvataed FB Michael Burton to game-day roster

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (TV broadcast map). Playing on the road, Denver is considered a big underdog in Week 9.

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Broncos sign guard/center to 53-man roster ahead of Ravens game

After using up his practice squad elevations, the Broncos fully promoted offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to the 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos promoted guard/center Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Friday, the team announced.

After losing center Luke Wattenberg to an ankle injury, the Broncos elevated Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster for each of their last three games, which is the maximum number of elevations a player can have in a single season.

With Wattenberg still one week away from being eligible to return from injured reserve, Denver has fully promoted Throckmorton to the active roster so he can serve as the team’s backup center against the Baltimore Ravens behind fill-in starter Alex Forsyth.

Once Wattenberg returns to the active roster (perhaps as early as next week), Throckmorton might be a candidate to get bumped back down to the practice squad.

To make room for Throckmorton on the 53-man roster, the Broncos released veteran fullback Michael Burton on Friday. Burton is expected to re-join the team on the practice squad on Saturday.

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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 elevate 2 players from practice squad for Panthers game

The Broncos have elevated LB Kwon Alexander and OL Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 8.

The Denver Broncos are calling up some reinforcements from the practice squad ahead of their Week 8 showdown with the Carolina Panthers.

The Broncos elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander and guard Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. They will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Players can be elevated up to three times during the season without having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad. This will mark Throckmorton’s third and final practice squad elevation and Alexander’s second. Denver will need to fully promote Throckmorton to the active roster if the team wants him to play next week.

Throckmorton will provide more depth at center after Luke Wattenberg (ankle) was placed on injured reserve earlier this month. Alexander will serve as the team’s No. 4 linebacker behind Cody Barton, Justin Strnad and Levelle Bailey.

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’ 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’ updated 17-player practice squad after roster moves

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad following a flurry of roster moves last week.

The Denver Broncos made a flurry of roster moves last week, including multiple changes to the practice squad.

The Broncos cut defensive back Tanner McCalister and running back Blake Watson from the active roster and signed them to the practice squad. To make room for McCalister and Watson, Denver cut center Dieter Eiselen and receiver Kaden Davis from the practice squad.

Following those transactions, the practice squad is full.

The NFL’s standard practice squad size limit is 16 players, but there’s an exception that allows an extra international player to not count against the limit. For Denver, Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin is an exception, giving the Broncos a 17-player practice squad.

So here’s the full list of 17 players on the squad after the recent moves.

Broncos 17-player practice squad

  1. RB Blake Watson
  2. WR Michael Bandy
  3. WR David Sills
  4. WR A.T. Perry
  5. TE Donald Parham
  6. TE Thomas Yassmin
  7. OT Cam Fleming
  8. OL Nick Garguilo
  9. OL Calvin Throckmorton
  10. DT Jordan Miller
  11. DL Matt Henningsen
  12. OLB Andrew Farmer
  13. LB Kwon Alexander
  14. LB Zach Cunningham (pictured)
  15. CB Reese Taylor
  16. DB Quinton Newsome
  17. DB Tanner McCalister

Two players can be elevated from the practice squad each week.

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