Tag: Devine Ozigbo

Browns working out free agent RB Devine Ozigbo

The Browns are bringing in a free agent running back for a workout

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

Perhaps looking to bring in another running back for training camp, the Cleveland Browns are hosting free agent running back Devine Ozigbo for a workout according to Aaron Wilson. The Browns currently only carry three running backs on the roster in Nick Chubb, Jerome Ford, and undrafted free agent Hassan Hall.

While the fanbase is clamoring for the aging and inefficient Ezekiel Elliott, the Browns will be looking in a different direction. Ozigbo has not stuck around throughout his tenure in the NFL but has a chance to at least earn himself a training camp audition as he tries to impress the Browns today.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Broncos continue shuffling backfield

The Broncos hope to have Mike Boone back on the field this week.

The Denver Broncos’ backfield shuffling continues.

Denver waived running back Devine Ozigbo from the active roster on Monday, presumably with plans to re-sign him to the team’s 16-player practice squad on Wednesday. After bumping Ozigbo down from the active roster, the Broncos now have just two running backs on the 53-man roster.

This is presumably a sign that Denver expects running back Mike Boone (ankle) to return from injured reserve this week. Boone is expected to return to practice Wednesday and he’s eligible to be activated to the 53-man roster.

Denver also waived running back Tyreik McAllister and wide receiver Kaden Davis from the practice squad on Tuesday. Davis was waived to make room for new cornerback Lamar Jackson; McAllister was waived likely to make room for the return of Ozigbo.

After cutting Melvin Gordon last week, the Broncos leaned on Latavius Murray on Sunday. Murray rushed 13 times for 92 yards in his first start of the season in Week 12. Marlon Mack and Boone are now poised to serve as the team’s backup running backs going forward.

Gordon, meanwhile, has joined the Kansas City Chiefs, giving him an opportunity to play against Denver two times later this season.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=689354]

Broncos made several roster moves before Panthers game

The Broncos are bringing in some reinforcements at RB, WR and CB for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw4jm5c2wscg4g player_id=none image=https://broncoswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Denver Broncos have called up some reinforcements for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.

First, the Broncos promoted running back Devine Ozigbo from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Denver had an open spot on the active roster so the team did not have to make a corresponding move to make room for Ozigbo, who will serve as the third-string RB behind Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack.

Second, the Broncos elevated cornerback Faion Hicks and wide receiver Brandon Johnson from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 12. Both players will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

With receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler and cornerback K’Waun Williams sidelined with injuries, Hicks and Johnson will give the team more depth at those two positions against the Panthers. Johnson caught one pass in his NFL debut last week.

Sunday’s game will begin at 11:00 a.m. MT on Fox (view the TV map).

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=689266]

Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad for Week 5

Broncos elevated RB Devine Ozigbo and DB Anthony Harris from the practice squad and signed OLB Jonathan Kongbo to the 53-man roster.

With injuries piling up, the Denver Broncos have turned to their practice squad for some reinforcements ahead of a Thursday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5.

First, Denver activated Jonathan Kongbo from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after losing OLBs Randy Gregory (knee; injured reserve), Aaron Patrick (concussion; out) and Jonathon Cooper (hamstring; out) this week. Kongbo will now serve as the team’s fourth-string edge defender behind Bradley Chubb, Baron Browning and Nik Bonitto.

Second, the Broncos elevated running back Devine Ozigbo from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 5. He will serve as the team’s third-string running back behind Melvin Gordon and Mike Boone against the Colts.

After losing Javonte Williams to a season-ending knee injury, Denver signed veteran running back Latavius Murray to fill his spot on the 53-man roster. Murray just played in London with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, though, so he is expected to be inactive on Thursday.

Third, the Broncos elevated safety Anthony Harris from the practice squad to the game-day roster. He will help fill in for safety P.J. Locke, who was ruled out for this week’s game with a concussion.

Thursday’s game will begin at 6:15 p.m. MT on Prime Video. Denver is considered a 3.5-point favorite at home against Indianapolis.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

3 takeaways from Broncos’ 23-13 win over Vikings

After the Broncos’ win over the VIkings, here are some of the biggest takeaways going into Week 1.

The Denver Broncos won their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday evening. There could be a bunch of takeaways from this game, but we are only going to focus on the top three as the team wraps up preseason.

Broncos cut 4 players, reach 80-man roster limit

The Broncos are now at the 80-man roster limit for the final week of preseason.

The Denver Broncos made five roster moves on Tuesday to get down to the NFL’s 80-man roster limit for the final week of preseason.

The Broncos waived undrafted rookie wide receiver Trey Quinn and running back Stevie Scott III and released linebacker Joe Schobert. Additionally, the team waived/injured offensive lineman Casey Tucker and placed tackle/guard Tom Compton (back) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

Compton will have to sit out the first four weeks of the regular season after being placed on the reserve/PUP list.

Schobert just signed last week and he was expected to compete for a starting job while Jonas Griffith is sidelined, but the veteran defender apparently did not impress the team’s coaching staff.

Quinn caught six passes for 49 yards in two preseason games. In a crowded WR room, his fumble on Saturday certainly didn’t help his cause.

Scott was signed earlier this month when the team was thin at running back. Tucker spent part of last season on the Broncos’ practice squad before signing a reserve/future contract in January.

In addition to making those five moves on Tuesday, Denver also waived/injured defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer and claimed running back Devine Ozigbo off waivers on Monday.

Up next for the Broncos is a preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, followed by next Tuesday’s deadline for a 53-man roster.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[pickup_prop id=”24457″]

[vertical-gallery id=684378]

Kirk Merritt showing versatility in Saints practices by taking snaps at running back

Kirk Merritt is showing off his versatility in Saints practices by taking snaps at running back. The receiver is helping his case for a roster spot, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Versatility has always been a hot topic for the New Orleans Saints, though we usually discuss it when talking about their defense. Players like P.J. Williams, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Malcolm Jenkins are all recent examples of players that could line up just about anywhere they were asked to on defense. But it’s not limited to that side of the ball. Tight end Taysom Hill is the perfect example considering his snaps at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, and in the backfield over his time with the Saints.

But another name has come into focus here, in Destrehan native Kirk Merritt. He, like Ty Montgomery in past years, has begun practicing at both wide receiver and running back. The concept isn’t new to Merritt though. He played a similar role during his high school days, splitting snaps between the two positions. He’s played well for New Orleans throughout the summer and just had a highlight reel-worthy kick return in their preseason game with the Green Bay Packers, taking it 59 yards upfield. Showing out on special teams helps, but it’s a good idea to test his flexibility on offense, too.

Merritt highlighted that the toughest hurdle of for the transition will be learning protections — that entails more than blocking defensive backs out on the edge for the converted wide receiver. It’s about reading blockers ahead of him, working off of bigger linebackers, and of course learning where he fits into it all from the backfield. Head coach Dennis Allen said that the “more things you can do, the more valuable you become.” Merritt is putting that to the test, and his next opportunity comes Friday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

[listicle id=114699]

Broncos cut DL Marquiss Spencer, sign RB Devine Ozigbo

The Broncos cut DL Marquiss Spencer and signed RB Devine Ozigbo on Monday.

The Denver Broncos made a pair of roster moves on Monday afternoon.

First, the team waived defensive lineman Marquiss Spencer with an injury designation. Spencer (6-4, 300 pounds) was selected by Denver in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Mississippi State.

After spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, Spencer was competing for a spot on the 53-man roster this summer before suffering a preseason injury. His most notable actions this offseason were starting multiple fights during a joint camp training practice with the Dallas Cowboys.

If he clears waivers, Spencer might be a candidate to return on the team’s 16-man practice squad next week.

After waiving Spencer, the Broncos filled his former spot on the roster by claiming running back Devine Ozigbo off waivers from the New Orleans Saints. Because Spencer’s spot was filled, Denver will still have to make five cuts on Tuesday to get down to an 80-man roster.

Ozigbo (6-0, 225 pounds) is a fourth-year running back who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska with the Saints in 2019. He’s bounced between New Orleans, Jacksonville and New England in the NFL, appearing in 21 regular season games in his career.

Ozigbo has rushed 11 rushes for 25 yards and totaled 13 receptions for 72 yards in the NFL. He’ll likely compete with Stevie Scott III and JaQuan Hardy for the team’s RB4 job over the next week.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=684633]

Broncos claim former Saints RB Devine Ozigbo off waivers

It didn’t take long for former Saints RB Devine Ozigbo to find a new home. He’s been claimed by the Denver Broncos off of waivers, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

As the running back depth battle for the New Orleans Saints approaches its close, the team moved on from veteran back Devine Ozigbo last week. Per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, the former Nebraska Cornhusker was claimed off of waivers by the Denver Broncos. Despite being let go by the Saints, Ozigbo had some promising moments throughout camp and the preseason on offense and special teams.

He now joins a promising backfield which includes young star running back Javonte Williams, Melvin Gordon III, Mike Boone, former Saint Stevie Scott III and JaQuan Hardy. Some believe that Scott or Hardy could be on their way out soon.

With that said, Ozigbo has a real chance to land on the Broncos’ 53-man roster. All he has to do is continue to show his prowess not only as a runner, but also in the receiving and protection game. And stay healthy of course, but that’s not been a notable issue for him.

Meanwhile, left behind in New Orleans are starters Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II, Tony Jones Jr., Dwayne Washington and Abram Smith. While still listed as wide receiver on the team’s official website, the Saints have also been trying out wide receiver Kirk Merritt at running back. Merritt looks to be on his way to a Ty Montgomery-like role should he pass the right benchmarks.

[listicle id=114699]

Report: Saints waive QB K.J. Costello, RB Devine Ozigbo ahead of roster cuts deadline

Report: Saints waive QB K.J. Costello and RB Devine Ozigbo ahead of roster cuts deadline

The New Orleans Saints have already begun the difficult process of trimming down their roster ahead of Tuesday’s NFL deadline, with teams required to downsize from 85 players to 80 by 4 p.m. ET. Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the Saints released both quarterback K.J. Costello and running back Devine Ozigbo on Sunday after returning to New Orleans following a week in Green Bay. That brings the team down to 83 contracts.

So what do these roster moves mean? Costello was signed after starting quarterback Jameis Winston suffered a sprained foot late in training camp, which sidelined him for a few weeks. Only Andy Dalton and Ian Book saw any snaps in the Saints’ two preseason games, so Costello was brought in more to help keep drills running on schedule in practice. At this stage in the summer the team needs three arms to keep everything running smoothly. Now that he’s on the outs, this may signal that Winston is healthy and ready to return to practice fully with the team.

It’s more intriguing at running back, though. Ozigbo was competing with Dwayne Washington, Tony Jones Jr., and undrafted rookie Abram Smith for the opportunity to back up Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram II. We’re very much on the outside looking in, but it feels like Washington is in the lead for that third spot in the rotation, leaving just one more vacancy for either Jones or Smith to fill (though it’s likely someone ends up returning on the practice squad). They’ve got one more exhibition game in which to make their case for that last roster spot.

Before that, though, the Saints will practice in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday evening — possibly with Winston running the first-team offense again. It’s definitely something to watch out for, as are the three remaining roster cuts the Saints must make by Tuesday’s deadline.

[listicle id=114612]