Tag: Lucas Krull

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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Broncos injuries: 2 players held out of Thursday’s practice

Broncos cornerbacks Art Green (concussion) and Levi Wallace (hamstring) were held out of Thursday’s practice.

The Denver Broncos had two players held out of practice on Thursday. Additionally, one player returned and one player left the session.

Broncos tight end Lucas Krull (toe) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out Wednesday’s session. Denver receiver Devaughn Vele went into the locker room with training staff during practice. Vele “checked out fine” after practice, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Broncos cornerbacks Art Green (concussion) and Levi Wallace (hamstring) were the only active-roster players not in pads on Thursday. After yesterday’s practice, coach Sean Payton indicated Green will sit out this week but will likely return for the team’s preseason finale next week.

“I don’t want to use the word a mild concussion, but the symptom scores are better for him,” Payton said of Green. “There’s a good chance that he won’t go this week and then we feel strongly he’ll be ready to go next week.”

In addition to injured players, the Broncos also held out cornerback Pat Surtain and defensive linemen Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Eyioma Uwazurike in their preseason opener. All four should play this week.

“[W]e have a number of guys that didn’t play in the game,” Payton said. “I don’t want to go through them all, but we feel somewhat positive that all of them will be involved this week and getting work against Green Bay.”

Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

Broncos injuries: 4 players not practicing

1. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL; PUP)
2. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles; PUP)
3. CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
4. CB Art Green (concussion)

Denver will hold a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on Friday before a preseason showdown on Sunday night. The Broncos’ game against the Packers will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

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Broncos injuries: 3 players return to practice

There’s good news on the injury front for the Broncos this week as three players returned to practice.

There’s mixed news on the injury front for the Denver Broncos going into the second week of preseason.

Broncos guard Ben Powers (ribs) had X-rays come back negative on Monday, but he did not practice Wednesday. Tight end Lucas Krull (toe) was also held out of practice.

Cornerback Art Green (head) has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol and did not practice, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Meanwhile, Denver pass rusher Nik Bonitto (back) returned to practice after sitting out the team’s preseason opener. Safety Brandon Jones (hamstring) and linebacker Justin Strnad (groin) also returned to practice.

Cornerback Levi Wallace (hamstring) remains sidelined. Meanwhile, linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) remain on the physically unable to perform list.

We haven’t seen an update on the status of rookie guard Nick Gargiulo, who has been hindered by an undisclosed injury.

Broncos injuries: 6 players not practicing

1. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL; PUP)
2. LB Drew Sanders (Achilles; PUP)
3. CB Levi Wallace (hamstring)
4. CB Art Green (concussion)
5. OG Ben Powers (ribs)
6. TE Lucas Krull (toe)

Denver will practice again tomorrow and then hold a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers on Friday. The Broncos will then host the Packers in Week 2 of preseason on Sunday night.

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Broncos injuries: MRI and X-ray updates after preseason opener

X-rays came back negative for Ben Powers’ ribs. Broncos TE Lucas Krull (toe) and CB Art Green (head) got MRIs. We’ll know more tomorrow.

Three Denver Broncos players who were banged up in the team’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday underwent testing on Monday.

Broncos guard Ben Powers had an X-ray on his ribs after he collided with Samaje Perine while attempting to tackle a Colts player on an interception return on Sunday. That MRI came back negative, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Even bruised ribs can be a big hindrance, though, so we’ll be tracking Powers’ status this week.

Denver tight end Lucas Krull had an MRI on his toe that was injured on the Indianapolis turf. “There’s hope he will be no more than day to day,” according to Klis. It’s unclear what exactly the injury is, but coach Sean Payton did not seem to think it was serious after Sunday’s game.

Broncos cornerback Art Green left Sunday’s game after being evaluated for a possible concussion. Green had an MRI on his “head area” on Monday, according to Klis. The team has not confirmed if Green suffered a concussion.

We’ll have a better idea of the statuses of those three players when Denver returns to the practice field and Payton meets the media on Wednesday.

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Bo Nix made the tackle on Colts’ fumble return vs. Broncos

Love to see that hustle and effort from quarterback Bo Nix! But please, Bo, don’t do that again.

Late in the first quarter of Sunday’s game between the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts, rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw a four-yard pass to tight end Lucas Krull with the game tied 10-10.

Krull caught the pass and then quickly fumbled the ball. Colts linebacker Cameron McGrone forced the ball out and cornerback Chris Lammons recovered it, with Lammons returning the football eight yards before being tackled.

The tackler? Nix, with a late assist from center Alex Forsyth.

You can see Nix enter the frame at the 0:08 mark of the below video. Nix then dives low, shoulder first to knock Lammons off his feet:

It’s certainly an impressive effort and hustle play by Nix, but not necessarily one the Broncos will want him to repeat. Denver won’t want the first-round pick to risk injury, especially after guard Ben Powers bruised his ribs when attempting to make a tackle after an interception on Sunday.

Nice job, Bo. Great effort. Just don’t do it again, please.

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Broncos injuries: 2 players injured vs. Colts

Broncos tight end Lucas Krull injured his toe against the Colts on Sunday.

A pair of Denver Broncos players went down with injuries in the team’s preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Broncos tight end Lucas Krull left in the third quarter with a toe injury. Denver coach Sean Payton indicated after the game that Krull’s injury is not serious. Before his exit, Krull hauled in four receptions for 31 yards.

Broncos cornerback Art Green was evaluated for a possible concussion in the third quarter and was also ruled out. He posted one tackle before leaving the game.

Denver guard Ben Powers is “plenty sore” after he collided with running back Samaje Perine on Sunday, but his X-rays came back negative, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Even with a negative X-ray, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Broncos give Powers a lighter load to close out preseason.

Denver went into the game with seven other players inactive due to injuries. DB Brandon Jones (hamstring), CB Levi Wallace (hamstring), ILB Justin Strnad (groin), OLB Nik Bonitto (back), OL Nick Gargiulo (undisclosed), DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles) were among 11 Broncos players who did not suit up on Sunday.

After beating the Colts 34-30 on the road, the Broncos will return home to face the Green Bay Packers next week.

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Lucas Krull excited for role in Broncos’ offense (and maybe a trick play)

“I’m really excited to see what we can do,” Lucas Krull said of the Broncos’ offense entering Year 2 under Sean Payton.

Denver Broncos tight end Lucas Krull stood out this spring and he has looked sharp at training camp this summer.

Entering his second year in Sean Payton‘s scheme, Krull believes the tight end position is an exciting element of the offense.

“I think extremely dynamic,” Krull said Tuesday. “I think Coach Payton has unbelievable schemes. He always knows how to dial it up, and I think especially in the room we have I think we have playmakers top-down.

“It can be any given guy on any given day which is really special. It’s an amazing group to be a part of. So I’m really excited to see what we can do.”

Krull, 26, hauled in eight passes for 95 yards and one touchdown last season. He started his college career as a baseball pitcher at Jefferson College before later playing football at Florida and Pittsburgh. As a former left-handed pitcher, Krull has hinted that he could throw for the Broncos.

“Oh yes,” Krull said when asked if his pitching history translates to passing a football. “I think I was 2-of-2 [passing] at Florida and 0-of-1 at Pitt unfortunately. I can sling it.” 

Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham are competing for Denver’s starting quarterback job, but perhaps we could see a trick play featuring a Krull pass in 2024. The tight end will be ready if called upon.

“It’s definitely something that’s always in my back pocket whenever Coach — if he ever needs it, I’m here for him.”

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Broncos roster series: No. 85, TE Lucas Krull

Entering his second year with the Broncos, TE Lucas Krull impressed this spring. He’ll look to carry that momentum into training camp.

Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year* tight end Lucas Krull, No. 85.

Before the Broncos: Krull (6-6, 260 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh with the New Orleans Saints in 2022. He spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad, dressing for just one game.

Broncos tenure: Denver signed Krull to its practice squad last August and he was promoted to the active roster in December. He ended up dressing for seven games last fall, earning two starts. Krull hauled in eight receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown in his first season with the Broncos.

*Krull has been in the NFL since 2022, but the league considers him a “second-year” player because he only has one accrued season (dressing for at least six regular-season games in the same season).

Chances to make the 53-man roster: Near lock. Krull had a modest first season in Denver, but he stood out this spring, drawing praise from coach Sean Payton. Krull might not start in Week 1, but he is likely to make the active roster as one of the team’s top tight ends in 2024.

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Broncos TE Lucas Krull is a player to watch this summer

Broncos coach Sean Payton noted TE Lucas Krull’s height and speed this spring. The 25-year-old tight end will be a player to watch at camp.

Get ready for the summer of Lucas Krull.

The young tight end is entering his third year in the NFL and second season with the Denver Broncos. Earlier this spring, Broncos coach Sean Payton praised the tight end during OTAs, saying Krull looked sharp.

A week later, Payton was asked about Krull again. Payton noted the tight end’s height (6-6), speed and room for improvement.

“[He has] a certain stature we like,” Payton said. “So that means we have a bigger target. He has good vertical speed. He’s young, so we think there is room to grow. That was one of the reasons we signed him.

“So these camps benefit certain players — like I said the other day — a little bit more than others because you can get into your patterns and see some things. So he’s doing well.”

Krull, 25, attended “Tight End University” led by Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce and George Kittle in Nashville last week. After a relatively quiet first season in Denver, Krull might be on the verge of making some noise in 2024. He’ll be a player to watch at training camp this summer.

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