The Broncos have once again added a veteran to their backfield. Denver has signed running back Marlon Mack to their active roster off of the 49ers’ practice squad (Twitter link via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). 
The loss of Javonte Williams due to an ACL tear left Denver without their top rusher for the remainder of the campaign. That led to an expectation that Melvin Gordon would take on No. 1 duties, but the veteran was benched after playing just nine snaps in the team’s loss to the Chargers in Week 6. Things changed yesterday, as Gordon logged a 51% snap share and started the Broncos’ loss to the Jets – something head coach Nathaniel Hackett had confirmed would happen during the week (video link via Mike Klis of 9News).
Earlier this month, Denver also looked to the Saints’ taxi squad for insurance, signing Latavius Murray to their active roster. He was joined in the backfield by Gordon and Mike Boone; the latter suffered an ankle injury yesterday, however, and was seen in a walking boot after the game, per Schefter’s colleague Jeff Legwold (Twitter link).
That accelerated Denver’s pursuit of Mack, who will now join the team as they depart today for London in preparation for their game against the Jaguars. The 26-year-old had a modest rookie season with the Colts in 2017, but emerged as the team’s lead back the following year. He eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in 2019, but his production had cratered since then.
Looking to regain his form – and a starter’s role – Mack signed with the Texans this offseason, but was released during roster cutdowns. He initially stayed put on their taxi squad, but joined San Francisco in the wake of Elijah Mitchell‘s MCL sprain. In two appearances with the 49ers, Mack played sparingly on special teams. The acquisition of Christian McCaffrey lowered his chances of seeing significant time on offense even further.
Just over two years removed from the Achilles tear which derailed his career, Mack will now look for another fresh start as the Broncos continue to search for consistency in the running game.
Broncos Country, Let’s Ride!
Most Bronco fans are hoping to leave Wilson and Hackett in London.
Ted Lasso is always willing to take a chance as long as you “BELIEVE”
I would be more interested in seeing how Wilson does with a more assertive coach than seeing Hackett do…well, anything, really. No matter what team you root for, watching repeated errors and uninspired team management is just painful. It is actually irritating how inept Hackett’s decision making has been, with or without Wilson. Not to excuse Wilson, but Denver is stuck with him, and he probably has a better chance of improving with good coaching than Hackett does. Wilson was wrong, for the record, about his not needing coaching oversight. On his own, he is not nearly disciplined enough.
4th and 3rd, a few yards out of the red zone, only down a touchdown, backup QB completing about 50% of his passes…and they throw a long ball to the endzone. Unreal. What goes through his mind, exactly? Denver has had two games in a row that they have been handed on a golden platter by their opponent, only to forcibly shove back it, saying “No thanks.”
I don’t imagine the list of head coaches who had their jobs saved by practice squad players takes long to read.