Broncos Designate Jerry Jeudy To Return From IR, Promote John Brown
Jerry Jeudy‘s return from a high ankle sprain will not happen in Week 6, but the second-year wide receiver is on the verge of coming back. The Broncos are designating him for return from IR, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. The team now has 21 days to activate Jeudy.
While Jeudy’s recovery process will now involve practice work, the Broncos plan to promote recently signed wide receiver John Brown to their active roster, Klis adds (on Twitter). A free agent since requesting his release from the Raiders in late August, Brown caught on with Denver’s practice squad earlier this week.
Brown would be in line to begin his Broncos career against the Raiders, though Klis adds it is not a certainty the Broncos dress the veteran Sunday. With the eighth-year veteran being called up from the taxi squad, Denver will have that option. The Broncos are also elevating wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland from their P-squad.
Down since his Week 1 injury, Jeudy has a chance to return Thursday against the Browns but would have a better chance of being activated ahead of Denver’s Week 8 game against Washington. The Broncos have been down Jeudy and 2020 second-round pick K.J. Hamler since Week 3, when Hamler suffered a season-ending ACL tear. They have lost each of their games without both of them in the lineup, though Denver did win in Week 2 and Week 3 — over the Jaguars and Jets — when Jeudy sat and Hamler played.
The Broncos’ offense has struggled for much of the past two games, and while Jeudy would represent a likely boost, Brown will step in for the time being. A two-time 1,000-yard receiver, Brown aided Josh Allen‘s development by serving as Buffalo’s No. 1 wideout in 2019. After a productive ’19 season, however, Brown battled injuries in 2020. The Bills released Brown this offseason, signing ex-Bronco Emmanuel Sanders to replace him. Brown, 31, did not make a great impression as a Raider and was cut after the preseason. The speed merchant will have a chance to reignite his career soon.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/16/21
The Week 6 Saturday minor move blitz:
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: RB Spencer Brown, G Michael Jordan
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: G Dieter Eiselen, RB Artavis Pierce
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Joe Bachie, RB Trayveon Williams
- Placed on IR: G D’Ante Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: DT Sheldon Day, CB Herb Miller, T Alex Taylor
- Released from IR via injury settlement: TE Connor Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
- Waived: T Brandon Knight
Denver Broncos
- Placed on IR: CB Mike Ford
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted: WR Juwann Winfree
Houston Texans
- Activated from IR: WR Nico Collins
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, G Lane Taylor, OL Cole Toner
- Placed on IR: T Laremy Tunsil (story)
- Released: LB Joe Thomas
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: OL K.C. McDermott, WR Laquon Treadwell, K Matthew Wright
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DE Demone Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Promoted: DL Kendal Vickers
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted: LB Cole Christiansen, DL Breiden Fehoko
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted: CB Donte Deayon
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: TE Luke Stocker
New England Patriots
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: T Isaiah Wynn
- Promoted: OL James Ferentz
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: LB Cam Brown
- Promoted: T Korey Cunningham, WR Dante Pettis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Activated from IR: T Zach Banner
- Placed on IR: J.J. Smith-Schuster (story)
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from IR: CB Tre Brown, C Ethan Pocic
- Promoted: WR Phillip Dorsett, QB Jake Luton
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden, T David Steinmetz
Broncos To Activate RB Mike Boone From IR
Mike Boone is on track to make his Broncos debut Sunday. Sidelined since training camp due to a quad injury, the veteran running back will be activated off IR ahead of Denver’s Week 6 game, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets.
After the Vikings non-tendered Boone as a restricted free agent, ex-Minnesota assistant GM George Paton brought him to Denver, where he is now GM. Boone signed a two-year deal worth $2.6MM, giving the Broncos a backup back at a modest price. Boone should be expected to contribute on special teams and potentially mix in as a role player on offense.
Denver reshaped its backfield this offseason, cutting Phillip Lindsay in March and waiving Royce Freeman just before the season. Boone is set to join Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams in Denver’s backfield. Boone’s return to health stands to aid a Broncos team that is without pass catchers Jerry Jeudy, K.J. Hamler and Albert Okwuegbunam going into a key matchup against the Raiders.
Boone’s most notable work sample came in 2019, when injuries to Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison brought him to the forefront in Minnesota. The former UDFA averaged 5.6 yards per carry (273 total) on 49 totes that year, helping the Vikings to the playoffs.
Broncos Sought Round 3 Pick In CB Talks
- Staying on the trade front, the Broncos received inquiries on their two contract-year corners — Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan — along with Ronald Darby. The veteran defenders came up in talks leading up to the season, but new Denver GM George Paton set a fairly high asking price. The Broncos sought a third- or fourth-round pick in a deal for one of their vets, Fowler adds, scuttling talks. The Saints made a strong push for Fuller, which came months after New Orleans’ aggressive pursuit of Denver’s No. 9 overall pick — which was used to take Patrick Surtain II. While Denver has made multiple deadline deals in recent years, involving receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, it would likely take a tumble out of contention for the team to deal from its corner surplus.
LB Avery Williamson Expected To Sign With Titans
Avery Williamson is heading to Tennessee. The veteran linebacker was granted his release from the Broncos practice squad and will be signing with the Titans active roster, according to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver (via Twitter).
Williamson’s stint in Denver lasted only a week; he signed with the organization last Tuesday. Now, he’ll be rejoining the Titans after having spent the first four seasons of his career in Tennessee. During that time, Williamson started 59 of his 63 games, collecting 376 tackles and 11.5 sacks.
The Jets gave Williamson a nice contract in 2018, signing the former fifth-round pick for three years and $22.5MM. The linebacker missed the 2019 season after suffering a torn ACL, and he split the 2020 campaign between the Jets and Steelers. He ultimately saw time in 15 games (10 starts) last season, collecting 111 tackles and one sack.
With Jayon Brown recently landing on injured reserve, the Titans were looking for some veteran reinforcement at linebacker. Williamson will certainly fit that bill, and there’s a good chance he sticks around Tennessee even when Brown returns.
WR John Brown To Sign With Broncos PS
John Brown has found his next NFL gig. The free agent wideout is finalizing a deal to join the Broncos practice squad, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
Las Vegas signed the veteran speedster earlier this year and guaranteed him more than $3MM, but Brown later requested (and was granted) his release. Since being let go in late August, the receiver had one reported visit with the Falcons.
The 31-year-old has seen time in seven NFL seasons with the Cardinals, Ravens, and Bills. He had 1,067 yards from scrimmage only two seasons ago, but he followed that up with a disappointing 2020 campaign (458 yards from scrimmage, three touchdowns). Now, he’ll be looking to revitalize his career in Denver. As Mike Klis of 9News points out (on Twitter), Brown “has sickle cell trait,” which can be a concern at high altitude. Of course, both the organization and the player are apparently not concerned about that being an issue.
Brown could have a chance to stick around Denver with Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler sidelined. The Broncos depth chart is currently led by Courtland Sutton, with the likes of Tim Patrick, Kendall Hinton, Diontae Spencer, and David Moore also vying for targets.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/12/21
Today’s taxi squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: CB Luq Barcoo, WR Josh Doctson
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: TE Parker Hesse
- Released: K Elliott Fry, OLB George Obinna
Baltimore Ravens
- Suspended six games (PEDs): T Adrian Ealy
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: OL Austen Pleasants
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: RB Elijah Holyfield
Cleveland Browns
- Activated off practice squad/COVID-19 list: CB Tim Harris
- Signed: T Alex Taylor
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR John Brown (story) CB Rojesterman Farris
- Released: WR Josh Malone, LB Avery Williamson (story)
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Cole Tonerm
- Released: DB Shyheim Carter
Indianapolis Colts
- OT Greg Senat, DT Antwaun Woods
- Placed on IR: S Ibraheim Campbell
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: RB Kerrith Whyte, OL Jared Hocker, WR Josh Imatorbhebhe
- Released: OL Austen Pleasants, RB Wendell Smallwood, WR Devin Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: RB Elijah McGuire, LB Darius Harris
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: QB Kyle Sloter
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: WR Travis Fulgham
New Orleans Saints
- Released: OT Derrick Kelly, LB Wynton McManis
New York Jets
- Signed: OL Dru Samia
- Released: S Sheldrick Redwine
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: DT Isaiah Mack
- Released: NT Eli Ankou
Teddy Bridgewater Clears Concussion Protocol
Broncos QB Teddy Bridgewater has cleared the concussion protocol, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter). With that, the veteran passer will start Denver’s Week 5 matchup against the Steelers this afternoon.
Bridgewater, acquired in an April trade with the Panthers, bested Broncos’ 2019 second-rounder Drew Lock in this summer’s quarterback competition, and he led Denver to a 3-0 start to the 2021 campaign. The three teams he defeated — the Giants, Jaguars, and Jets — boasted a combined 0-9 record going into last week, so the early-season success for Bridgewater and the Broncos came with something of an asterisk, but the QB and his team did exactly what they needed to do against weaker competition.
Their winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Ravens last week, a game that Bridgewater was forced to leave early due to a concussion. Prior to that, he completed seven of 16 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Although Bridgewater did not do much in his time on the field, Lock’s relief performance did nothing to make head coach Vic Fangio think twice about turning the reins back over to his QB1 as soon as he cleared protocol. Lock appeared indecisive and could not generate any momentum, finishing 12 of 21 for 113 yards and an interception. Denver ultimately lost by a 23-7 score.
It is still unclear whether Bridgewater will have one of his top receiving weapons, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, joining him on the field in Pittsburgh today. Sutton, who rolled his ankle at practice on Thursday, will be a game-time decision, per Schefter.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/9/21
Here is Week 5 Saturday’s minor move spree:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted: OL Danny Isidora, TE Ross Travis, CB Jace Whittaker
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: CB Kendall Sheffield
- Promoted: WR Juwan Green, CB Chris Williamson
- Waived: TE Parker Hesse
Baltimore Ravens
- Designated for return: G Tyre Phillips
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted: S Kenny Robinson, RB Rodney Smith
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Anthony Walker
- Promoted: DE Joe Jackson, DB Jovante Moffatt
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: FB Nick Ralston, TE Jeremy Sprinkle
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: WR Tyrie Cleveland
Detroit Lions
- Promoted: TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: OL Marcus Cannon
- Promoted: QB Jeff Driskel, WR Chris Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Promoted: QB Brett Hundley
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted: K Matthew Wright
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: LB Willie Gay
- Promoted: DE Demone Harris
- Waived: LB Darius Harris
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated from IR: CB Ryan Smith
Miami Dolphins
- Activated from IR: DT Raekwon Davis
- Promoted: WR Isaiah Ford, DE Jabaal Sheard
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted: G Dakota Dozier, CB Parry Nickerson, CB Tye Smith
- Waived: WR Dan Chisena
New England Patriots
- Promoted: DB Myles Bryant, OL James Ferentz, OL Alex Redmond, G William Sherman
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: OL Jordan Mills, WR Kenny Stills
- Released: DT Christian Ringo
New York Giants
- Promoted: T Korey Cunningham
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: LB Blake Cashman
- Promoted: S Jarrod Wilson, TE Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: T Le’Raven Clark
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Promoted: S Karl Joseph, WR Cody White
- Released: G Rashaad Coward
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted: WR Travis Benjamin, TE Tanner Hudson, QB Nate Sudfeld
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: OLB Cam Gill
- Promoted: TE Codey McElroy, DB Rashard Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: WR Marcus Johnson
- Promoted: S Jamal Carter, DL Caraun Reid, LB John Simon
- Waived: LB Sharif Finch
Washington Football Team
- Promoted: WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
Broncos Activate CB Ronald Darby
SATURDAY: The Broncos are activating Darby from IR. Though Surtain is questionable for Week 5, Denver might have its top four cornerbacks available against Pittsburgh. But the team will be without another of its pass catchers going forward. The Broncos placed tight end Albert Okwuegbunam on IR Saturday. The second-year tight end, who missed most of last season with an ACL tear, is dealing with a hamstring ailment.
WEDNESDAY: Amid a rough stretch on the health front, the Broncos received some positive injury news Wednesday. Ronald Darby returned to practice, starting his 21-day window for a re-emergence from injured reserve.
The Broncos placed Darby on IR following a Week 1 hamstring injury, depleting the team’s cornerback surplus. But the former Philadelphia and Washington corner may be on track to return at first chance this week in Pittsburgh. Teams have three weeks to activate players designated to return or they revert to season-ending IR.
Although the Broncos signed Kyle Fuller, they inked Darby to a three-year deal. Darby and Patrick Surtain II represent the team’s long-term cornerback investments. Surtain, however, has taken Darby’s place in the starting lineup and played fairly well. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos proceed with their $10MM-per-year corner and their No. 9 overall pick. Surtain did suffer a chest injury late in the Broncos’ Week 4 loss; Denver deemed its prized rookie day to day.
The Broncos have lost two more starting defenders — Bradley Chubb and Josey Jewell — since Darby’s injury and finished Sunday’s loss without five offensive first-stringers, including a concussed Teddy Bridgewater.