Broncos Place Bradley Chubb, Jerry Jeudy On Reserve/COVID-19 List
Already favored before the Broncos’ run of positive COVID-19 tests, the Chargers keep learning of more Denver starters who will miss Sunday’s game.
The Broncos will be down Bradley Chubb, Jerry Jeudy and linebacker Baron Browning on Sunday due to positive coronavirus tests. They also placed rotational edge rusher Jonathan Cooper and backup defensive lineman McTelvin Agim on their reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.
[RELATED: Broncos To Start Drew Lock In Week 17]
Additionally, the Broncos could also be without Courtland Sutton. Vic Fangio said the recently extended wideout could soon be moved to the team’s virus list, though that has not happened as of Friday afternoon (Twitter links via 9News’ Mike Klis). If Sutton ends up being shelved, the Broncos will likely be down to Kendall Hinton as their top wide receiver in Los Angeles. The team placed Tim Patrick on its virus list Wednesday.
Thirteen Broncos have been placed on the virus list over the past three days. Defensive line coach Bill Kollar also will miss Sunday’s game after a positive test. Chubb and Jeudy have each missed extensive time this season. A second 2021 ankle surgery sidelined Chubb for much of the year, while Jeudy missed most of the season’s first half because of a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 1.
The NFL moved three Week 15 games to new dates but has since altered its protocols twice in order to limit player unavailability. No games have been moved since, with the NFL playing Dolphins-Saints as scheduled despite New Orleans’ run of positive tests, and it should be expected the Broncos-Chargers rematch will be played Sunday.
While the Broncos are not technically eliminated, their losses to the Bengals and Raiders all but buried them in the AFC wild-card race. The Chargers have a 35% chance to qualify for the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight.com.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/31/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed: DB Rojesterman Farris, DL Carlo Kemp
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LS Kyle Nelson
- Released: DT Da’Shawn Hand
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL D.J. Fluker, S Bradley McDougald
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: C Cohl Cabral
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/31/21
The final minor moves roundup of 2021:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OL Rick Leonard
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Damarea Crockett, WR Travis Fulgham, OLB Pita Taumoepenu, WR Seth Williams
Houston Texans
- Released: DT Xavier Williams
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed to active roster: P J.K. Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: QB Nate Sudfeld
Washington Football Team
- Signed: P Ryan Winslow
Broncos’ Drew Lock Likely To Start Week 17
If the Broncos are to stay alive in the AFC playoff chase, they will need to do so with their backup quarterback. Starter Teddy Bridgewater is still dealing with a concussion, so Drew Lock is expected to start (Twitter link via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport). 
Bridgewater was carted off the field late in the third quarter of the Broncos’ 15-10 loss to the Bengals in Week 15. That left Lock to start last week against the Raiders, a game that ended in another low-scoring defeat and dropped Denver to 7-8 on the season.
A second-round pick in 2019, Lock holds a career record of 8-11, a QB rating of 78.2 and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 24:20. The team’s offense has generally sputtered in the passing game with him under center, as Lock has recorded a completion percentage of 59.2% and an average of 6.6 yards per attempt.
With Lock starting, look for a heavy dose of both Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams in the run game. This would especially make sense considering Denver travels to Los Angeles to play the Chargers on Sunday, a team allowing over 140 rushing yards per game this season, which ranks fourth-worst in the league. Brett Rypien would likely dress as the backup if Bridgewater is unable to suit up.
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/30/21
Here are Thursday’s reserve/COVID-19 list updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T D.J. Humphries
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on virus list: OL Jason Spriggs
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from virus list: QB Tyler Huntley, S Tony Jefferson, DL Justin Madubuike
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from virus list: OL Cody Ford, CB Cam Lewis
- Activated from practice squad virus list: TE Quintin Morris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from virus list: CB Rashaan Melvin
- Placed on virus list: DE Darryl Johnston, S Kenny Robinson
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB Reggie Bonnafon
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from virus list: DE Wyatt Ray, DT D.J. Reader
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from virus list: DT Jordan Elliott, K Chase McLaughlin, CB Greg Newsome II, C J.C. Tretter
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from virus list: CB Jourdan Lewis
- Placed on practice squad virus list: CB Kyron Brown, S Tyler Coyle
Denver Broncos
- Placed on virus list: CB Bryce Callahan, CB Mike Ford, T Bobby Massie, OLB Stephen Weatherly
Detroit Lions
- Placed on virus list: WR Kalif Raymond
Green Bay Packers
- Placed on virus list: OL Elgton Jenkins and LB Randy Ramsey
Houston Texans
- Placed on virus list: WR Danny Amendola
- Activated from virus list: DB A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from virus list: LB Darius Leonard, WR Zach Pascal, S Khari Willis
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on virus list: OL Will Richardson, S Andrew Wingard
- Placed on practice squad virus list: RB B.J. Emmons
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from virus list: WR Bryan Edwards
- Placed on virus list: DE Carl Nassib, G Jordan Simmons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from virus list: LB Emeke Egbule, WR Mike Williams
Los Angeles Rams
- Activated from virus list: T Andrew Whitworth
Minnesota Vikings
- Placed on virus list: LB Nick Vigil
New England Patriots
- Placed on virus list: T Yodny Cajuste
- Activated from virus list: DL Deatrich Wise
New Orleans Saints
- Placed on virus list: C Erik McCoy
- Activated from virus list: DE Carl Granderson, Jalyn Holmes
New York Giants
- Placed on practice squad virus list: LB Omari Cobb
New York Jets
- Activated from virus list: S Ashtyn Davis, G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, DE John Franklin-Myers, G Alijah Vera-Tucker
- Placed on virus list: RB Tevin Coleman
- Activated from practice squad virus list: DE Hamilcar Rashed, WR Vyncint Smith
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from virus list: LB Shaun Bradley
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from virus list: LB Marcus Allen
- Placed on virus list: CB Arthur Maulet
Seattle Seahawks
- Placed on virus list: G Damien Lewis
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from virus list: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from virus list: G Nate Davis, CB Caleb Farley; Farley remains on IR
Washington Football Team
- Placed on virus list: T Sam Cosmi, P Tress Way
- Placed on practice squad virus list: QB Kyle Shurmur
- Activated from virus list: DE Nate Orchard
- Activated from practice squad virus list: G Zack Bailey
NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/29/21
Several key players returned to practice Wednesday. Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from around the league:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Andy Lee
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Devon Kennard
Atlanta Falcons
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Jonathan Bullard, S Jaylinn Hawkins, TE Hayden Hurst
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OL Willie Beavers
Baltimore Ravens
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Board, LB Tyus Bowser, LB Justin Houston, S Geno Stone, LB Kristian Welch
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT David Sharpe, QB Christ Streveler
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Cole Beasley, WR Gabriel Davis, DE A.J. Epenesa, OL Jon Feliciano
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OL Dennis Daley, G Pat Elflein
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: DE Austin Larkin
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Haason Reddick, QB P.J. Walker
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Germaine Pratt
Cleveland Browns
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: QB Nick Mullens
Dallas Cowboys
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Trysten Hill, S Malik Hooker
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: RB JaQuan Hardy, WR Brandon Smith
Denver Broncos
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Lloyd Cushenberry
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: T Calvin Anderson, WR Tim Patrick, S Caden Sterns
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Trinity Benson, T Matt Nelson, WR Quintez Cephus
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Michael Brockers, G Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Geronimo Allison
Green Bay Packers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: OT Cole Van Lanen
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Henry Black, TE Tyler Davis, DL Kingsley Keke, P Cody Bojorquez
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Jayson Stanley
Houston Texans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Maliek Collins, WR Brandin Cooks, K Ka’imi Fairbairn, LB Jonathan Greenard, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Neville Hewitt, LB Jordan Jenkins, DL Jaleel Johnson, DL Roy Lopez, DB A.J. Moore, S Eric Murray, LB Derek Rivers, LB Eric Wilson, C Justin Britt, G Lane Taylor
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Cre’Von LeBlanc
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Ron’Dell Carter, WR Chris Moore
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: K Dominik Eberle
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Mark Glowinski, G Quenton Nelson, DE Kemoko Turay, DB Rock Ya-Sin, TE Farrod Green
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: QB James Morgan, TE Eli Wolf
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: WR Jaydon Mickens, LB Dylan Moses, LT Cam Robinson, S Johnathan Ford
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Josh Hammond
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Travis Kelce, K Harrison Butker, CB Rashad Fenton, P Tommy Townsend, S Armani Watts
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: LB Darius Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: G Jermaine Eluemunor, CB Brandon Facyson, S Roderic Teamer
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Kendal Vickers, TE Darren Waller (story)
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: G Lester Cotton, G Jeremiah Poutasi
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OLB Joey Bosa, WR Jalen Guyton, CB Kemon Hall, C Corey Linsley, DB Trey Marshall, LB Cole Christiansen
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Kenneth Murray, T Storm Norton
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: TE Cethan Carter, CB Justin Coleman, G Robert Jones, OL Greg Mancz, LB Duke Riley, WR Lynn Bowden
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: C Spencer Pulley
Minnesota Vikings
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Dalvin Cook
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Tye Smith
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DE Patrick Jones II
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, OLB Harvey Langi
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Ja’Whaun Bentley, LB Matt Judon
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Demario Davis, QB Taysom Hill, QB Trevor Siemian, LB Kwon Alexander, LB Kaden Elliss, S J.T. Gray, OT Jordan Mills, OG James Carpenter, DT Christian Ringo, TE Adam Trautman, S Jeff Heath
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: S Marcus Williams
New York Giants
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Keion Crossen, DB Adoree’ Jackson, WR John Ross
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DL Dexter Lawrence
New York Jets
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Carter II, DT Folorunso Fatukasi, QB Joe Flacco, DL Jonathan Marshall, LB Hamsah Nasirildeen, TE Kenny Yeboah
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: LB Noah Dawkins, CB Lamar Jackson, DL Tanzel Smart
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Ken Webster
Philadelphia Eagles
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Le’Raven Clark, T Andre Dillard, DE Tarron Jackson, DE Ryan Kerrigan
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Rico Bussey
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: DT Bryan Mone, CB D.J. Reed
- Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Michael Jackson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Jamel Dean, WR Mike Evans, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, WR Breshad Perriman
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Taylor Lewan, DB Elijah Molden, G Rodger Saffold
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: ILB Jayon Brown, OLB Bud Dupree, WR Julio Jones, DB Buster Skrine, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: DB Darryl Roberts
- Placed on practice squad/COVID-19 list: OL Beau Benzschawel, T David Steinmetz
Broncos Place DT DeShawn Williams On IR
DeShawn Williams is out for the season. The Broncos have placed their starting defensive tackle on injured reserve. Williams’ elbow injury will knock him out of the lineup for Denver’s final two games of the season.
[RELATED: Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order]
Williams was an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2015, but he’s found a home in Denver over the past two years. After starting 11 games for the Broncos in 2020, he’s started eight of his 15 contests in 2021. The 28-year-old has compiled 39 tackles, one sack, five QB hits, and one tackle for loss. Williams saw a season-high 35 defensive snaps during Denver’s loss to the Raiders on Sunday.
To help fill the void (and for extra insurance in case of COVID protocols for Mike Purcell), the Broncos signed Justin Hamilton off the Cowboys practice squad. The defensive tackle has spent most of the past two seasons with the Cowboys, getting into 19 games. He’s appeared in nine games this season, collecting 10 tackles and two QB hits.
The Broncos made a handful of additional moves today, signing guard Tristen Hoge, defensive end Deyon Sizer, and defensive tackle Akeem Spence to the practice squad.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: RB Tavien Feaster
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: C Jimmy Murray
- Released: QB Kenji Bahar, DB Blake Countess
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: TE Miller Forristall, WR Lawrence Cager
- Released: KR Jojo Natson, CB Bryan Mills
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: WR Scotty Washington
Denver Broncos
- Signed: G Tristen Hoge, DE Deyon Sizer, DT Akeem Spence
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Juwan Green, TE Ross Travis
- Released: CB Chris Williamson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S D.J. Swearinger
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: TE Kahale Warring, P Joseph Charlton, DE Hercules Mata’afa
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: OT Paul Adams, WR Dalton Schoen, P Johnny Townsend
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LS Beau Brinkley
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: RB Javian Hawkins, WR Warren Jackson, LB Justin Lawler
- Released: K Ryan Santoso, DB Greg Stroman, LS Carson Tinker
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OT Rick Leonard
- Released: TE Brandon Dillon, WR Damion Ratley
New Orleans Saints
- Released: DT Braxton Hoyett, LB Justin March, OT Kyle Murphy, WR Malcolm Perry
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Jake Hausmann
- Released: DB Sam Beal, DB Darqueze Dennard
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DT Elijah Ponder
- Released: DL Chris Cooper
Updated 2022 NFL Draft Order
With two weeks to go, six NFL teams have formally clinched their playoff spot while eight teams (Seahawks, Giants, Bears, Panthers, Texans, Lions, Jets, and Jaguars) have been mathematically eliminated. Somehow, there is still a path for the 6-9 Washington Football Team to make the postseason, even though they’re currently slated to pick No. 9 overall in April.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order will be determined by the inverted 2021 standings, plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. For playoff teams, the order is determined by their postseason outcome and regular season record.
As we close out the calendar year and the 2021 regular season, here’s a look at the currently projected 2022 NFL Draft Order:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: 2-13
2. Detroit Lions: 2-12-1
3. Houston Texans: 4-11
4. New York Jets: 4-11
5. New York Giants: 4-11
6. New York Jets (via Seahawks)
7. Carolina Panthers: 5-10
8. New York Giants (via Bears)
9. Washington Football Team: 6-9
10. Atlanta Falcons: 7-8
11. Denver Broncos: 7-8
12. Minnesota Vikings: 7-8
13. New Orleans Saints: 7-8
14. Cleveland Browns: 7-8
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-7-1
16. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-7
17. Las Vegas Raiders: 8-7
18. Baltimore Ravens: 8-7
19. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dolphins)*
20. Philadelphia Eagles: 8-7*
21. Miami Dolphins (via 49ers)*
22. New England Patriots*
23. Philadelphia Eagles (via Colts)*
24. Arizona Cardinals: 10-5*
25. Buffalo Bills: 9-6*
26. Cincinnati Bengals: 9-6*
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 11-4*
28. Detroit Lions (via Rams): 11-4*
29. Tennessee Titans: 10-5*
30. Dallas Cowboys: 11-4*
31. Kansas City Chiefs: 11-4*
32. Green Bay Packers: 12-3*
* = Playoffs
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/27/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Released: OT Adrian Ealy
Buffalo Bills
- Released: DE Breeland Speaks
Carolina Panthers
- Released: K Alex Kessman
Denver Broncos
- Released: C Javon Patterson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Released: P Joseph Charlton
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: DT Braxton Hoyett, LB Justin March-Lillard, OT Kyle Murphy, DT Ethan Westbrooks
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Tyrell Adams
Washington Football Team
- Signed: DL Matt Dickerson