Tag: pass rusher

Chiefs HC Andy Reid reveals Joshua Uche’s playing chances vs. Buccaneers in Week 9

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reveals Joshua Uche’s playing chances vs. the Tampa Bay #Buccaneers in Week 9 | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid addressed the media before practice on Thursday. He gave his thoughts on the newly acquired Joshua Uche’s chances of playing on Monday Night Football against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“We’ve had the benefit of having played against him, so we know he’s a very aggressive, good pass rusher, good all-around player, but pass rusher,” Reid said. So, we’ll work him with the defensive line rotation-wise. As long as he can handle anything, I wouldn’t expect that he wouldn’t. But he’ll start today working in there and getting used to what we do.”

During his 58 career games, the former Michigan Wolverine has 20.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss.

“We just know how important that position is, and adding him into the mix there is something that helps us as a football team; I’d tell you that’s why we did that,” said Reid. “Yeah, i think there is a good chance; we’ll see, though. (regarding Uche’s availability on Monday).

Uche is a well-known pass rusher who will have a chance to make big plays in the Chiefs’ already highly touted defense.

Seahawks host ex-Broncos pass rusher on free agent visit

Former Broncos pass rusher Randy Gregory had a free agent visit with the Seahawks on Wednesday.

The Seattle Seahawks hosted former Denver Broncos pass rusher Randy Gregory on a free agent visit today, according to KPRC-TV’s Aaron Wilson.

Gregory, 31, signed a five-year, $70 million deal with the Broncos in 2022. He was healthy for six games in 2022 and totaled two sacks. Last season, Gregory recorded one sack in five games before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

Gregory signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this spring, but he was released this summer after never reporting to the team. Gregory also filed a lawsuit against the NFL and Broncos this summer for what he believes were discriminatory fines. Though the team was named in the lawsuit, it’s primarily a case against the NFL.

“I’m aware of what was written in the lawsuit, but it’s nothing that I had to deal with directly at all,” Denver coach Sean Payton said in June. “I think it is more — and even talking with his agent — I think it’s more of a league issue than necessarily a Broncos issue. Nonetheless, there was nothing that I ever dealt with.”

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, the Miami Dolphins designated wide receiver River Cracraft to return and the Los Angeles Chargers promoted center Sam Mustipher to the active roster on Wednesday.

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Baron Browning comments on Broncos trade rumors

“I don’t want to leave but some things are out of my control,” Broncos OLB Baron Browning said when asked about trade rumors.

The Denver Broncos have a deep pass-rush rotation and outside linebacker Baron Browning might be viewed as an expendable asset leading up to the NFL’s trade deadline (Nov. 5).

Over the weekend, NFL Network reported that Browning “could be available” on the trade block. Following a 28-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Browning was asked about the trade speculation.

“I can only control what I can control,’’ Browning said, via KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. “I can’t control what happens in the future, I have to stay in the moment. I do what I can to help this team win games. I would like to stay here. I don’t want to leave but some things are out of my control.”

Browning lost his starting job to Nik Bonitto while on injured reserve. Bonitto (6.0) leads the team in sacks this fall and Jonathon Cooper (5.5) is not far behind. Jonah Elliss (2.0) and Dondrea Tillman (2.0) have also made their mark as rotational pass rushers.

Browning, a third-round pick in 2021, is still seeking his first sack of the season.

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NFL Network says Broncos OLB Baron Browning ‘could be available’ via trade

Broncos OLB Baron Browning “could be available” leading up to the NFL’s trade deadline, according to NFL Network.

With the NFL trade deadline (Nov. 5) now just over one week away, Denver Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning has been named a potential trade candidate.

“A converted off-the-ball LB who had 4.5 sacks last year, Browning’s playing time has dwindled in Denver and he’s in a contract year,” Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero wrote on NFL.com on Saturday. “He could be available. Denver has depth at the position.”

The Broncos had a nearly-even four-player pass rush on Sunday, spreading out snaps between Browning (33), Jonathon Cooper (33), Jonah Elliss (29) and Nik Bonitto (29). Dondrea Tillman was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he played well when Browning was sidelined earlier this season.

With so much depth at the positon, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver listen to trade offers for Browning leading up to the deadline. Rapoport and Pelissero also wrote that Cooper “could draw interest as well,” but the Broncos seem less likely to trade him.

Bonitto (6.0) and Cooper (5.5) lead the team in sacks this fall. Elliss and Tillman both have two. Browning has been available for four games and is yet to record his first sack of the season.

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Nik Bonitto makes Broncos history by matching a Von Miller stat

Nik Bonitto is the first Broncos pass rusher since Von Miller (2018) to record at least one sack in five straight games.

After recording three tackles, three quarterback hits, one tackle for a loss and one sack in a 33-10 win over the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos pass rusher Nik Bonitto has now recorded a sack in five straight games.

Bonitto is the first player in franchise history to record a sack in five consecutive games since Von Miller did so in 2018 (and 2017 and 2015). Miller holds the team’s all-time record with six straight games recording at least one sack (2018).

As a team, the Broncos have totaled 28 sacks this season, which leads the league going into Sunday’s games (the New York Giants are second with 26). Vance Joseph’s defense recorded six sacks against the Saints, marking the fifth straight game that Denver has totaled at least three sacks. The last time that happened for the Broncos was in 2015.

Denver’s 28 sacks are the third-most through seven weeks in franchise history, and the most since 2015. The Broncos have 12 players with at least half a sack this fall with Bonitto (five), Jonathon Cooper (4.5) and Zach Allen (4.0) leading the way.

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Broncos open window for 2 starters to return from injured reserve

The Broncos have opened the 21-day window for OT Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and OLB Baron Browning (foot) to return from injured reserve.

The Denver Broncos opened the 21-day window for two starters to return from injured reserve on Tuesday.

Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) returned to practice on Tuesday, which started their three-week window to return to the active roster.

If McGlinchey and Browning are not activated within the next 21 days, they will remain on injured reserve for the rest of the season. Both players seem likely to be activated before the deadline, but it remains to be seen if they will be activated in time for a Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 17.

McGlinchey will likely immediately return to starting at right tackle once he returns. Browning, on the other hand, might be a rotational pass rusher because Nik Bonitto has played so well across from Jonathon Cooper.

The Broncos also opened the three-week window for cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) to return from IR last week, so he is a candidate to return in Week 7 as well. Denver currently has two open spots on the active roster after cutting two players on Tuesday.

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NFL hands down opposite verdicts for ex-Broncos Von Miller and Brandon McManus

The NFL will not suspend Brandon McManus after he was accused of sexual assault. Von Miller, meanwhile, has received a four-game suspension.

One day after former Denver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus avoided a possible suspension, ex-Denver pass rusher Von Miller received a suspension.

The NFL investigated an incident that led to a pair of flight attendants suing McManus, accusing him of sexual assault during a Jacksonville Jaguars flight to London in 2023. The league determined that McManus will not be suspended.

“There was insufficient evidence to support a finding that a violation of the personal conduct policy occurred. As always, if new evidence is presented it would be taken into consideration,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post.

McManus remains a free agent.

One day later, the NFL handed down a four-game suspension to Miller for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. That suspension seemingly resulted in response to Miller being accused of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in November 2023. Miller’s accuser later said there was no assault.

Miller will be eligible to play for the Buffalo Bills again in Week 9.

Miller and McManus were teammates with the Broncos from 2014-2021, helping the team win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season.

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2 Broncos players nominated for Rookie of the Week award

Broncos QB Bo Nix and OLB Dondrea Tillman have been nominated for the Rookie of the Week award. Go vote!

Two Denver Broncos players have been nominated for the Rookie of the Week award following a 26-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (216 passing yards, no turnovers, 47 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown) and outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman (three tackles, two sacks) have been nominated for the award on NFL.com.

Nix secured the first win of his NFL career on Sunday and Tillman became Denver’s first player since at least 1970 to record two sacks in his NFL debut.

Nix and Tillman will face some tough competition in the voting:

  • QB Jayden Daniels: 293 yards, 3 TDs
  • WR Malik Nabers: 78 yards, 2 TDs
  • WR Rome Odunze: 112 yards, 1 TD
  • QB Caleb Williams: 363 yards, 2 TDs

Daniels won the award last week and New York Jets running back Braelon Allen won in Week 1. This is the first time this season the Broncos have had a player nominated for a weekly award.

Fans can vote for Nix and Tillman until Thursday morning on NFL.com.

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From the UFL to NFL, Dondrea Tillman is making the most of his opportunity with Broncos

Dondrea Tillman joined the Broncos after winning three titles with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions. He recorded two sacks in his NFL debut.

Dondrea Tillman has had quite a football journey.

After playing college football at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Tillman spent two years out of football. He then got an opportunity to play in The Spring League in 2021.

The pass rusher’s performance in that league impressed coaches from the Birmingham Stallions, who used a third-round pick to select Tillman in the 2022 USFL draft. Tillman went on to win three straight titles with the Stallions (two in the USFL and one in the UFL this spring).

Tillman dominated spring football and the Denver Broncos signed him following the conclusion of the UFL’s 2024 season. After the Broncos lost Baron Browning to a foot injury, Tillman was promoted to the 53-man roster ahead of the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.

Making his NFL debut on Sunday, Tillman became the first Denver player since at least 1970 to record two sacks in his debut.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1838247470415155682

“We weren’t going to just let the other three play 60 snaps or 50 snaps,” coach Sean Payton said of the outside linebacker rotation. “A guy like that was coming up, he’s got to be playing in the kicking game and then getting snaps on defense. I was pleased with his effort.

“He’s strong. I’ve mentioned earlier in the week, we’ve seen a lot from him. I was excited to see him take advantage of the opportunity.”

The Broncos’ defense dominated from start to finish with seven sacks and two takeaways in a 26-7 victory. Tillman finished the day with three total tackles and his two sacks resulted in the loss of 18 yards for Tampa Bay.

https://twitter.com/mikeklis9news/status/1837950675134677318

“It feels great,” Tillman said after the game, via the Denver Post‘s Parker Gabriel. “It’s been a lot of time. I’ve been waiting for this. It’s a dream come true. It’s really a blessing.”

After impressing in his first NFL game, the 26-year-old Tillman figures to remain a part of Denver’s pass rush rotation going forward.

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Broncos place Baron Browning on IR, ruling him out at least 4 games

The Broncos have placed OLB Baron Browning on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Baron Browning has been placed on injured reserve, the team announced Saturday. Browning now has to sit out at least four games before becoming eligible to return.

Browning (6-3, 240 pounds) injured his foot against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. He played 12 snaps before leaving the game and did not record any stats. Two weeks ago, Browning totaled five tackles (including one behind the line of scrimmage) against the Seattle Seahawks.

Browning was picked by the Broncos in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Ohio State. He missed three games due to injuries in each of his first two seasons and then missed seven games last fall. Browning had set a goal of playing a full 17-game season ahead of the 2024 campaign, a goal that has now hit a roadblock.

The 25-year-old pass rusher has totaled 112 tackles, 22 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks and one interception in 40 games (28 starts) in Denver.

Browning started the Broncos’ first two games across from Jonathon Cooper. Denver’s top backup pass rushers are rookie Jonah Elliss and Nik Bonitto. Ellis totaled three tackles and one sack against Pittsburgh.

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