Tag: Lucas Krull

Sean Payton hints that Broncos might have a sleeper TE in Lucas Krull

The Broncos might have a sleeper tight end in Lucas Krull. “He’s looking sharp,” coach Sean Payton said.

Take note, dynasty fantasy football managers.

After moving on from Russell Wilson this offseason, the Denver Broncos will have a new starting quarterback in 2024, which could have implications for multiple players.

Broncos tight end Lucas Krull only drew 14 targets from Wilson in seven appearances last fall. Denver coach Sean Payton has seemingly hinted that Krull could have a much bigger role in 2024.

Payton was spotted talking with Krull at practice Thursday. After the session, he was asked about the conversation and his impression of the tight end.

“I thought he’s had a good week,” Payton noted. “I said, ‘If you didn’t notice, everyone in the media was looking down at their rosters to see who [No.] 85 was.’ I said, ‘Someday soon, they’re going to know who 85 is.’ He’s looking sharp.”

This isn’t the first time Payton has praised Krull. After he was promoted from the practice squad last December, Payton was asked about the tight end.

“He’s long and he’s tall, so you get a high point catch in the endzone,” Payton said on Dec. 29. “You get some of those plays. He’s really smart. He’s really smart, so there’s some versatility there. … I’ve been pleased.

“I think we get to see more of him than everyone else, and so it was based on what we were seeing. Even in those practice snaps where he’s going against the D, you see the skillset.”

Payton entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh with the New Orleans Saints in 2022 (the year Payton took a break from coaching). He joined Denver’s practice squad last August and was later promoted to the active roster.

The 25-year-old tight end hauled in eight receptions for 95 yards and one touchdown last season. Payton seems to believe bigger numbers are right around the corner.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

WATCH: Russell Wilson throws TD pass to Lucas Krull

Russell Wilson throws a TD pass to Lucas Krull and the Broncos now trail the Patriots by eight points.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson threw a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end Lucas Krull in the fourth quarter of a Christmas Eve showdown with the New England Patriots on Sunday night.

Here’s video of the play, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter/X page:

Denver then converted a two-point attempt when Wilson threw a two-yard screen to wide receiver Brandon Johnson, making it 23-15.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos made several roster moves ahead of Lions game

The Broncos added Lucas Krull to 53-man roster, moved Ronnie Perkins to the practice squad and elevated Ben DiNucci and Tyler Lancaster.

The Denver Broncos made several roster moves ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions.

First, the team waived outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins from the 53-man roster on Thursday. To fill Perkins’ former spot on the active roster, Denver promoted tight end Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. The Broncos re-signed Perkins to the practice squad on Saturday.

Additionally, the team elevated quarterback Ben DiNucci and nose tackle Tyler Lancaster from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. DiNucci and Lancaster will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Krull previously used up his three practice squad elevations, so the Broncos had to fully promote him to the active roster so he can play in Detroit. Krull is now set to serve as the team’s third-string tight end behind Adam Trautman and Chris Manhertz.

The Broncos have not yet activated tight end Greg Dulcich, who is eligible to return from injured reserve. Dulcich recovered from his hamstring injury and practiced on Wednesday, only to then suffer a foot injury that ruled him out for Week 15.

Saturday’s game will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

Broncos elevate 2 players to active roster before Chargers game

The Broncos elevated RB Tyler Badie and TE Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Chargers.

The Denver Broncos made two additions to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Broncos elevated running back Tyler Badie and tight end Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday. Badie and Krull will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Players on the practice squad can be elevated up to three times during the season without having to clear waivers in order to return to the practice squad. This weekend marks the third time that Krull has been elevated, so if the Broncos want him on a game-day roster later this season, the tight end will have to be officially promoted to the 53-man roster.

Krull has served as the team’s No. 3 tight end behind Adam Trautman and Chris Manhertz for two games this season. Greg Dulcich remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Badie, meanwhile, was elevated after fellow running back Samaje Perine (knee) missed Friday’s practice. Perine is listed as questionable on the injury report, but Badie’s elevation might be a sign that Perine will be inactive on Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

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

What happened on the Broncos’ final play against Texans?

“You’ve got to score a touchdown, obviously, to win the game, and it just didn’t go our way,” Broncos QB Russell Wilson said.

Trailing the Houston Texans by five points on Sunday afternoon, the Denver Broncos faced third-and-goal at the eight-yard line with no timeouts left and 16 seconds remaining in the game.

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles was beat at the line and quarterback Russell Wilson spun out of the pocket and made the pass rusher miss, but he then launched the ball into the end zone looking for tight end Lucas Krull. The pass was intercepted, securing a loss.

The next day, Denver coach Sean Payton indicated that poor communication before the snap led to players not being in the correct formation for the final play.

“I think communication has to be on point,” Payton said on Monday. “We finished the game yesterday, [and on] the last play of the game, we leave a shift off, so at the snap of the ball, you have three receivers that are trying to run a route, but they haven’t shifted into their final formation. My experience has always been it’s the details — it’s the little things. Those things have to be better.”

Before the play, Krull can be seen with his hands up in the air, presumably asking for the shift. He was not supposed to be the main target on the play.

“There was no shift, so certainly from your vantage point, it looks like, man, they’re calling on Lucas to be the hero here,” Payton said. “I can promise you he was in the progression of three receivers, but the shift doesn’t happen, and then we’re playing street ball.”

Wilson was presumably the player responsible for making the shift before the snap. After the game, the quarterback was asked what he saw on the play.

“Yeah, just tried to scramble, tried to avoid the sack,” Wilson said. “Couldn’t take a sack there because the clock was going to run out, so I tried to get off of it and then I saw Krull one on one, and just tried to put it up high for him, and they made a play. You’ve got to score a touchdown, obviously, to win the game, and it just didn’t go our way.”

It was a costly play for the Broncos as it dropped them to 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference, hurting the team’s playoff chances. Denver will get a chance to bounce back on the road aginast the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos make 3 roster moves ahead of Texans game

The Broncos activated WR Brandon Johnson from injured reserve and elevated TE Lucas Krull and QB Ben DiNucci from the practice squad.

The Denver Broncos made three changes to the roster on Saturday ahead of their showdown with the Houston Texans.

First, the Broncos activated wide receiver Brandon Johnson (hamstring) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster. Denver had an open spot for Johnson on the active roster after losing safety Kareem Jackson to a four-game suspension.

Johnson becomes the fifth WR on the 53-man roster, joining Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Marvin Mims and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

The Broncos also elevated tight end Lucas Krull and quarterback Ben DiNucci from the practice squad to the game-day roster. Both players will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

DiNucci is an interesting elevation because Denver has not made any additions to the injury report, so starter Russell Wilson and backup Jarrett Stidham are both healthy going into Sunday’s game.

It will be interesting to see if DiNucci ends up just being an emergency third-string QB or if the Broncos have some kind of package for him in the playbook. We’ll find out Sunday.

Broncos add 2 players to game-day roster for ‘Monday Night Football’

The Broncos elevated WR David Sills and TE Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Monday Night Football in Buffalo.

The Denver Broncos have added two players to their game-day roster ahead of a Monday Night Football showdown with the Buffalo Bills.

The Broncos elevated wide receiver David Sills and tight end Lucas Krull from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Monday, the team announced. Both players will revert back to the practice squad on Tuesday.

Sills (6-3, 211 pounds) started his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of West Virginia. After being cut by the Bills, Sills went on to play for the New York Giants from 2019-2022. He totaled 13 receptions for 123 yards in 13 career games with the Giants.

Krull (6-6, 260 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh with the New Orleans Saints in 2022. After spending most of last season on New Orleans’ practice squad, Krull was cut by the Saints after training camp this summer.

Sills (No. 87) and Krull (No. 85) will likely play primarily on special teams against the Bills on Monday evening.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Broncos confirm final 3 practice squad signings

The Broncos have filled their practice squad after officially signing WR Phillip Dorsett, TE Lucas Krull and WR David Sills.

The Denver Broncos announced the final three signings to their practice squad on Thursday, officially adding wide receivers Phillip Dorsett and David Sills as well as tight end Lucas Krull.

Dorsett (5-10, 192 pounds) is a 30-year-old speedy deep threat who had a brief stint with Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson while playing for the Seattle Seahawks in 2021.

Dorsett has spent time with six NFL teams, hauling in 151 receptions for 2,001 yards and 12 touchdowns in 92 career games. He won Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots following the 2018 season.

“We are pretty familiar with the player, and I was at his pro workout,” Payton said of Dorsett. “He gives you speed and transition.”

Sills (6-3, 211 pounds) is a 27-year-old receiver who spent the last four years with the New York Giants, playing in 13 games. He has totaled 13 receptions for 123 yards in his career.

Krull (6-6, 260 pounds) is a 25-year-old tight end who spent most of his rookie season on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in 2022. He appeared in just one game last season, playing 11 snaps.

Denver’s 17-player practice squad is now full. The Broncos previously announced their first 14 practice squad signings on Wednesday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Report: Sean Payton strikes again, signs Saints TE Lucas Krull to Broncos practice squad

Report: Sean Payton struck again, signing recently-waived New Orleans Saints tight end Lucas Krull to the Denver Broncos practice squad:

Sean Payton just won’t stop poaching former New Orleans Saints players. The Denver Broncos are reportedly signing tight end Lucas Krull to their practice squad after the Saints waived him on Tuesday, which is nothing if not annoying. Can’t Payton find his own players?

Krull will be backing up another ex-Saints tight end, Adam Trautman, in Denver while leaving behind a stacked depth chart in New Orleans. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau figure to lead the Saints’ tight ends in snaps played this year with Jimmy Graham coming into games for a specific package of plays. Taysom Hill is also in the mix and the team hopes to expand his role as a receiver in the fall.

Still, it’s frustrating to lose Krull. He’s someone the Saints signed as an undrafted rookie out of Pitt and developed on the practice squad last year into an at-least-competent pass catcher. Now he’ll be working with Payton, the Broncos, and Russell Wilson. But that’s a risk the Saints accepted in waiving him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Peak performers from New Orleans Saints’ preseason finale vs. Texans

Peak performers from New Orleans Saints’ preseason finale vs. Texans: Leaders in passing, receiving, rushing, defense, and special teams:

The New Orleans Saints fell short to the Houston Texans on Sunday night, losing their final preseason game by a margin if 17-13; but not for lack of trying. The efforts of some peak performers deserve recognition. We’re highlighting the leaders in passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and special teams from the matchup: