Tag: Netane Muti

Broncos elevate 2 players from practice squad for Texans game

The Broncos elevated WR Kendall Hinton and OL Netane Muti from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against the Texans.

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The Denver Broncos have elevated two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Houston Texans.

With KJ Hamler (knee/hip) ruled out for Week 2, Denver called up Kendall Hinton from the practice squad. This is the first time Hinton has been elevated this year.

Additionally, with Quinn Meinerz (hamstring) also ruled out, the Broncos elevated guard Netane Muti to the game day roster. This is also Muti’s first elevation this season.

Players on the practice squad can be elevated to the game-day roster up to three times per season without having to clear waivers in order to return to the practice squad after the game.

Graham Glasgow is expected to start at guard in the place of Meinerz this week — Muti was called up to provide more depth.

Hinton’s competition for snaps on offense will include Montrell Washington, who might be the favorite to step up in Hamler’s absence.

Sunday’s game will begin at 2:25 p.m. MT on CBS (how to watch).

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Broncos feel ‘so lucky’ about players they got back on practice squad

Netane Muti and McTelvin Agim are among the cut players who re-signed with the Broncos on the practice squad.

The Denver Broncos made 27 roster moves earlier this week to trim the roster from 80 players down to 53 players ahead of the 2022 season.

Fortunately for the Broncos, nearly all of the cut players they hoped would return on the practice squad have returned to the team.

“You never know how that’s going to work and everything is a gamble,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday. “There is always that [risk]. I think this was the first time there were so many different people that we wanted on our team. I wish I could have kept them all.

“I was nervous that a lot of those guys would get claimed because they did do a very good job, but they didn’t [get claimed]. So we are so lucky to have them back here, and we’re very [grateful] for that.”

At the time of this writing, Denver has re-signed 13 cut players to the practice squad, including quarterback Josh Johnson, guard Netane Muti, defensive lineman McTelvin Agim and wide receiver Kendall Hinton.

One notable absence is receiver Seth Williams. The Broncos want to re-sign him, but Williams has also drawn interest from other teams.

So Denver might not get all the players back they were hoping for, but overall, Hackett is pleased with how many returned after roster cuts.

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Broncos cut OL Netane Muti

Netane Muti might be a candidate to return on the practice squad.

We did not see this coming.

The Denver Broncos are waiving guard Netane Muti, according to a report from Benjamin Allbright of KOA Radio.

Muti (6-3, 315 pounds) fell to the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft out of Fresno State. Muti’s college film was extremely impressive, but he missed extensive time in college due to injuries, which hurt his stock. Before the draft, Muti turned heads when he bench-pressed 225 pounds 44 times.

Muti dressed for 19 games in Denver over the last two seasons, earning four starts. He allowed three sacks in three sacks last season but has not yet committed a penalty in the NFL, according to STATS.

If he clears waivers, Muti will likely be a candidate for the Broncos’ practice squad. Alternatively, the team could sign Muti to the active roster and then move him to injured reserve to give him time to heal from a knee injury.

We are tracking all of the Broncos’ roster moves on this page.

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Broncos injuries: Great news for LB Jonas Griffith

The Broncos ‘dodged a bullet’ with Jonas Griffith (elbow), who is expected to play in Week 1.

When Denver Broncos inside linebacker Jonas Griffith dislocated his elbow in mid-August, the best-case (but seemingly unlikely) scenario was a four-week recovery timeline that would give him a chance to return in time to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Fortunately for Griffith and the Broncos, it sounds like that best-case scenario has come true.

“We are definitely hoping for Jonas to be [ready] Week 1,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said Wednesday. “That’s kind of our aiming point. We very much dodged a bullet on that one.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, cornerback Michael Ojemudia (elbow) has the same injury as Griffith, so he is facing a multiple-week recovery. Meanwhile, guard Netane Muti (knee) is also expected to be sidelined for a few weeks after undergoing surgery. Ojemudia and Muti might be candidates to begin the season on one of the team’s injury lists.

Broncos punter Sam Martin (ankle) is expected to play in the team’s preseason finale on Saturday, so his injury clearly isn’t serious.

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Broncos OL Netane Muti out 3-4 weeks after knee surgery

If all goes well, #Broncos guard Netane Muti (knee) could return in time for Week 1.

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Jonas Griffith (elbow) isn’t the team’s only player set to miss several weeks with an injury.

Broncos guard Netane Muti is also recovering from a knee injury.

Nathaniel Hackett confirmed before Monday’s practice that Muti had a knee procedure, and the coach said the offensive lineman will be sidelined for “a couple more weeks.”

The surgery was “early last week” and the recovery timeline is be 3-4 weeks, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. So in the best-case scenario, Muti could potentially return in time for the team’s Monday Night Football season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 12.

Muti already seemed unlikely to win a starting job, but this all but guarantees he’ll be a backup to begin the year.

Right now, Dalton Risner is starting at left guard with Quinn Meinerz at right guard. Graham Glasgow is the team’s top backup swing guard/center, and Muti will provide additional depth at guard once he’s healthy again.

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Broncos injuries: Randy Gregory, Billy Turner activated off PUP list

Mostly good news on the injury front for the Broncos this week.

Reinforcements are on the way.

The Denver Broncos activated outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder) and offensive lineman Billy Turner (knee) off the physically unable to perform list on Monday, the team announced.

That means the two players are now eligible to practice again, but it doesn’t necessarily mean both players will jump into starting spots right away.

The Broncos are hopeful that both players will be ready to face the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football in Week 1, but the team won’t rush them in their respective recoveries. It remains to be seen if either player will get any snaps in the team’s final two preseason games.

Elsewhere on the injury front, coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed Monday that inside linebacker Jonas Griffith (elbow) will miss 4-6 weeks. Denver signed veteran Joe Schobert to help replace Griffith in the meantime.

Hackett also announced that guard Netane Muti had a knee procedure. The offensive lineman will be week-to-week going forward.

Additionally, Hackett said running back Melvin Gordon (foot) and running back Ronald Darby (chest) will be day-to-day this week.

The Broncos will face the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 2 of preseason on Saturday.

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Broncos’ offensive line competition could drag out into preseason

Who will the Broncos start on the OL this year? That’s tough to predict because the competition’s just getting started.

Who’s going to start on the offensive line for the Denver Broncos this season?

Your guess is as good as ours.

The Broncos have multiple options at every position on the line but only four starting spots up for grabs. Right now, it only seems safe to say one job — Garett Bolles at left tackle — is a lock.

At guard, Denver’s list of candidates includes Graham Glasgow, Dalton Risner, Quinn Meinerz, Netane Muti and rookie Luke Wattenberg. Five players competing for two spots.

At center, Lloyd Cushenberry is the incumbent, but Meinerz, Glasgow and Wattenberg could all push him for the starting job due to their versatility.

At right tackle, Billy Turner and Tom Compton will be competing with Calvin Anderson to replace Bobby Massie, who started in 2021.

With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator, a new offensive line coach and a new blocking scheme, the Broncos could see several shakeups on the offensive line this summer, so projecting a starting lineup is tough this early in the offseason.

It might not get much easier to predict until the end of preseason, either, because Denver’s staff has a big competition planned.

“It’s going to be a competitive environment in that room all the way through training camp,” offensive coordinator Justin Outten said on June 14. “Like I’ve said before, when the pads come on, that’s traditionally when you start to see the movement and you see the solidification up front. That’s when you get an idea of who your guys are going to be.”

Outten wouldn’t give a timeline for when the starting five would be chosen other than to say “ideally” it will be decided by Week 1. May the best five win.

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Dalton Risner and Netane Muti have been ‘big surprises’ for Nathaniel Hackett

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett has been pleased with Netane Muti and Dalton Risner this offseason.

When the Denver Broncos named Nathaniel Hackett their new head coach earlier this year, he brought his coaches — and scheme — with him.

The former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator parted ways with Mike Munchak, who had coached Denver’s offensive line from 2019-2021. Hackett wanted an offensive line coach that had experience in his system, so he hired Butch Barry from the San Francisco 49ers to replace Munchak.

Barry coached under Hackett in Green Bay in 2020 and he’s bringing Hackett’s outside zone running scheme to the Broncos.

Dalton Risner and Netane Muti were among the guards already on the roster when the new staff arrived, and there was some uncertainty among pundits if those two offensive lineman will fit the new scheme.

So far, so good.

“[Muti]’s doing a really good job,” Hackett said on June 13. “He’s running off the ball and he’s a big, strong interior lineman. I love that he does some great celebrations, too, whenever we get touchdowns. Those have been showing up. He’s picked it up really well. He’s been a big surprise for us throughout this whole offseason and I’m excited to see him keep rolling.”

Hackett had a glowing report for Risner, too.

“He’s been another one who’s been an absolute unbelievable surprise,” the coach said. “We brought this whole system into this organization, this outside zone world, and it hasn’t been that way [before]. He has really bought in and he’s doing a fine job running off the ball and [he’s] great in pass protection. He’s done a really good job and I’m really excited about where he’s at.”

Hackett comes across as an overwhelming positive person and he has no reason to throw any players under the bus, but even with that being the case, his praise for Muti and Risner is notable if taken at face value.

The Broncos are loaded with depth at guard, headlined by Graham Glasgow, Quinn Meinerz, Risner, Muti and rookie center/guard Luke Wattenberg. The team also added Ben Braden this offseason and tackles Billy Turner and Tom Compton can play inside as well.

No starting jobs will be won before training camp begins, but it seems that Risner and Muti have made very strong first impressions.

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Broncos place 2 more players on Reserve/COVID-19 list

Broncos added LB Justin Strnad and CB Michael Ojemudia to the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. They join QB Drew Lock and TE Noah Fant.

The Denver Broncos seem to be having a mini battle with COVID-19.

Last week, the team was without tight end Noah Fant, backup quarterback Drew Lock and backup guard Netane Muti, who all missed Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys while on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

Muti has since been cleared from COVID protocol, but the Broncos added two more players to the reserve list on Tuesday. Denver placed inside linebacker Justin Strnad and cornerback Michael Ojemudia on their Reserve/COVID-19 list, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Strnad had been promoting to a starting job after the team lost their top two inside linebackers, but he was benched two weeks ago. Ojemudia is still on injured reserve while recovering from a hamstring injury.

Strnad and Ojemudia will not count against the active roster (Ojemudia already didn’t), joining Lock and Muti on the reserve list.

Last year, the Broncos had 23 known players, coaches and staff members spend time away from the team because of COVID-19.

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Broncos backup QB Drew Lock will be inactive vs. Cowboys due to COVID-19 protocols

Broncos QB Drew Lock has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys due to COVID-19 protocols.

Denver Broncos backup quarterback Drew Lock has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to COVID-19 protocols, the team announced Sunday morning.

With Lock unavailable, Brett Rypien will serve as the team’s backup behind starter Teddy Bridgewater in Dallas.

Lock isn’t the only Broncos player unavailable this week due to COVID-19 protocols. Denver tight end Noah Fant and backup guard Netane Muti are both on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Fant went on the list earlier this week — Muti has been on the list since Oct 26.

Lock also missed a game last season because of COVID-19 protocol. All four of the Broncos’ quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play in Week 12 last year after they were deemed close contacts to Jeff Driskel, who had tested positive for the coronavirus. Kendall Hinton, who was a practice squad wide receiver at the time, played as an emergency QB that week.

Lock and Denver’s three other QBs tried to skirt COVID protocols and manipulate their tracers last season, which is part of the reason why the NFL did not give the Broncos any grace and forced them to play without a QB against the New Orleans Saints in 2020 (they lost 31-3).

Lock is now unavailable for a game once again, but the details for this week’s unavailability are not yet known.

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