Johnathan Abram‘s inconsistent Raiders career did not stop two teams from claiming his rookie contract, one that still includes more than $1MM in salary. In addition to the Packers, the Broncos submitted a claim for Abram, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets.
Sitting at 3-6 — their worst record through nine games since 2005 — the Packers won out over the 3-5 Broncos. Green Bay will reunite Abram with special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia, the Raiders’ 2021 interim HC.
Like the Packers, the Broncos have used the same safety starters since 2019. Behind Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson, some uncertainty exists. Denver’s No. 3 safety, Caden Sterns, is on IR with a hip injury. The Broncos have fourth-year man P.J. Locke and rookie fifth-rounder Delarrin Turner-Yell as backups, and they promoted veteran Anthony Harris to their active roster earlier this week. Despite his pedigree, Harris has played in two games for his new team this season. He has yet to log a defensive snap in Denver. Ditto Turner-Yell, whose usage has come strictly on special teams in his first season.
Simmons is also on the team’s injury report this week. The Pro Bowl cover man did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury. Simmons spent four weeks on IR because of a thigh ailment sustained in Week 1. The Broncos will be eligible to use one of their injury activations on Sterns later this year, should he be healthy enough to return, but they also have Randy Gregory and Tom Compton on their way back. Denver has five injury activations remaining.
Although the Broncos’ coaching staff is new, the team has gotten a good look at Abram, 26, due to his previous AFC West employment. Drafted 27th overall in 2019, Abram made 34 starts with the Raiders. Coverage issues plagued the Jon Gruden-era draftee in Las Vegas. He will attempt to use his upcoming Wisconsin stay to generate some momentum toward what will likely be a modest free agency market.