Tag: Keidron Smith

Broncos make second roster move ahead of Falcons game

The Broncos promoted fullback Michael Burton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos made their second roster move of the week on Wednesday by promoting fullback Michael Burton from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Burton (5-11, 242 pounds) had maxed out his three practice squad elevations, so Denver had to promote him to the active roster so he can play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The Broncos had room for Burton on the active roster after waiving safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday.

Smith cleared waivers on Wednesday and he plans to return on the team’s practice squad, according to a report from the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson. Smith played in eight games this season, totaling six tackles. He played primarily on special teams.

Burton, 32, has played in all 10 games for the Broncos this season. Used primarily as a blocker, Burton has two carries and five catches on 100 offensive snaps this season. Burton has also played 179 snaps on special teams this fall.

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Broncos make first of several roster moves on deck this week

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday. More roster moves are on deck this week.

The Denver Broncos have made the first of at least two roster moves on deck this week ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday, the team announced. Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) is a 25-year-old defensive back who made the 53-man roster after impressing during preseason this summer. He dressed for eight games this fall, totaling six tackles. Smith played 11 snaps on defense and 107 snaps on special teams before being waived.

Denver now has four safeties remaining on the active roster: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner. Delarrin Turner-Yell is currently on the physically unable to perform list, but he returned to practice last week. Turner-Yell will have one more week of eligibility to return to the 53-man roster.

Broncos fullback Michael Burton and linebacker Kwon Alexander are both out of practice squad elevations, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them promoted to the active roster to take Smith’s old spot. If he clears waivers, Denver will undoubtedly attempt to re-sign Smith to the practice squad.

In addition to Burton, Alexander and Turner-Yell, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are also candidates to return to the 53-man roster in the coming weeks. Denver will have to make room for the returning players, and Smith was the first domino to fall.

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8 players did not play in Broncos’ win vs. Panthers

Eight Broncos players did not play against the Panthers, including safety P.J. Locke (thumb).

Seven members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Broncos 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 were inactive in Week 8.

*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. That gave the Broncos eight total players who did not see the field against the Panthers.

Broncos who did not play in Week 8

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  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
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)

Devon Key filled in for Locke at safety. Palczewski might be a candidate to return to the game-day roster in Week 9.

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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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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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9 players did not play in Broncos’ game vs. Chargers

Nine Broncos players did not play on Sunday while Audric Estime and Devaughn Vele returned and Eyioma Uwazurike made his 2024 debut.

Nine members of the 53-man roster did not play in the Denver Broncos‘ 23-16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

Broncos quarterback Zach Wilson*, running back Blake Watson, cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, safety JL Skinner, defensive back Keidron Smith, offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) and tight end Greg Dulcich were inactive in Week 6.

Everyone except Palczewski was a healthy scratch. Despite being inactive, Wilson still dressed as the team’s emergency third-string quarterback on Sunday.

Bo Nix played every snap on offense, so primary backup Jarrett Stidham also did not play, and backup offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton was not called into action. That gave the Broncos nine total players who did not see the field against the Chargers.

Broncos who did not play in Week 6

  1. QB Zach Wilson (emergency third QB)
  2. RB Blake Watson
  3. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  4. DB JL Skinner
  5. DB Keidron Smith
  6. OT Alex Palczewski (ankle)
  7. TE Greg Dulcich
  8. QB Jarrett Stidham (active)
  9. OL Calvin Throckmorton (active)

Audric Estime returned at running back after being activated from injured reserve, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike was active for the first time this season and Devaughn Vele was back in the lineup after missing the last four games. Up next is a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

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Broncos turned locker room into ‘Club Dub’ after upset win over Bucs

Let’s hope ‘Club Dub’ returns many times this season!

The Denver Broncos secured their first win of the 2024 NFL season on Sunday, a 26-7 upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After the game, the Broncos transformed their locker room into “Club Dub.” Based on photos and videos posted on social media, it appears that the team brought in lighting, a smoke machine and a stereo system for the occasion.

“Oh, it was great,” quarterback Bo Nix said when asked what the locker room was like after his first win in the NFL. “Before the game, we wanted to hear the music and have a party. We played motivated today. We went out there and executed at a high level.

“I think that’s what it’s supposed to feel like. You get back in the locker room and everybody is really excited. You put so much into the week. You put so much effort, time [and] energy [in]. Those are what those moments are about. That’s what you want to get to. You want to get to those postgame celebrations.”

Denver safety Keidron Smith shared some behind-the-scenes footage on his Instagram page. Check it out, via @RespectMyCos on Twitter/X:

https://twitter.com/respectmycos/status/1837948465525280831?s=46

The Broncos also shared some great photos on X, including an instant classic of Nix:

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1837974231394435128

Denver fans will hope this is the first of many appearances for “Club Dub” this fall.

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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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10 notes and takeaways from the Broncos’ second preseason game

Here are 10 takeaways from the Broncos’ preseason win over the Packers.

The Denver Broncos thoroughly defeated the Green Bay Packers 27-2 at Empower Field at Mile High in Week 2 of preseason action on Sunday night. Here are ten quick notes and takeaways from the victory.

1. Injury report: Nine players were held out, eight of them due to ailments. Notable among the injured players are safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and guard Ben Powers (ribs). Jones also missed the team’s preseason opener last week. We’ll see if he suits up for the preseason finale on Aug. 25.

2. Tim Patrick is making the team: My 53-man roster prediction last week had Denver carrying five wide receivers, and Patrick was not among them. I’m sorry, Tim. The 30-year-old receiver was targeted four times on Sunday and hauled in all four targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Tim Patrick is back.

3. Troy Franklin is invisible: Has anyone seen Denver’s fourth-round draft pick? Franklin is now two preseason games into his NFL career and he does not have a single reception. The Broncos have a very crowded wide receiver room and Franklin certainly isn’t standing out.

4. Samaje Perine’s stock continues to fall: Perine rushed five times for 16 yards on Sunday, an average of 3.2 yards per tote. He added one reception for five yards. The aging running back seems to be trending toward becoming a cap casualty this summer.

5. Keidron Smith is making a case: The second-year safety has grabbed an interception in each of the team’s first two preseason games. Denver has a crowded secondary, but Smith is doing all he can to make the squad.

6. Tyler Badie scores yet again: It’s very hard to imagine there being room for Baide on the 53-man roster, but he has a great habit of scoring almost every time he touches the ball. Badie has two touchdowns through two weeks of preseason this summer and one career score in the regular season off of one catch. He should be a top practice squad candidate.

7. Kris Abrams-Draine is a promising cornerback: After impressing in the team’s preseason opener, the fifth-round draft pick played well again on Sunday. He ended the day with three tackles and one pass breakup, and he was also involved on special teams.

8. Jonah Elliss continues to impress: Two games, two sacks for Elliss. His strip sack against the Packers led to a field goal. Elliss also has essentially forced a pair of interceptions with his pressure. The rookie is currently the fourth outside linebacker on the depth chart, but his stock is rising.

9. Zach Wilson might beat out Jarrett Stidham: Assuming the Broncos start Bo Nix, the backup job will go to Stidham or Wilson. Stidham is three years older, but Wilson has 29 more career starts and he’s still young enough to have some upside. Stidham is who he is at this point in his career.

10. Bo Nix is the obvious QB1: Seven drives, six scores (and the only turnover wasn’t his fault). Nix is 23-of-30 passing for 205 yards with two touchdowns through two preseason games, and he’s also made plays with his legs. Denver has found its QB of the future — and present — in Nix.

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