Broncos Eyeing OL, Deep Threat WR Before Deadline
NOVEMBER 1: Fowler confirms (video link) the Broncos remain interested in a guard and/or speed wideout addition. He describes the team as a “window shopper” at this point, though, indicating nothing is imminent.
OCTOBER 30: The second year of the Broncos’ Sean Payton–Bo Nix partnership has gotten off to an excellent start with a 6-2 record and sole possession of first place in the AFC West.
That could position Denver as a buyer ahead of the trade deadline. The Broncos already have an elite defense and are looking to add on the other side of the ball, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. In particular, they are looking at offensive guard, tight end, and wide receiver.
Week 1 starting left guard Ben Powers landed on injured reserve earlier this month, pressing Alex Palczewski into duty in the last two games. Palczewski, who has played on the right side of the offensive line for all of his college and professionally, used the Broncos’ DARI Motion technology to track and improve his technique on the left side, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. As a result, he has held up well at an unfamiliar position, but Powers’ earliest return would come in December. Adding a guard could offer an upgrade on Palczewski as well as added insurance if Powers cannot come back this season.
Tight end Evan Engram has been somewhat of a disappointment to start the year after signing with the Broncos in free agency. He is only averaging 30.7 yards per game with just one touchdown, far below his production in Jacksonville in the last three years. Denver could explore trading for tight end, but there may not be a clear upgrade available.
An addition at wide receiver seems more likely. Courtland Sutton has been excellent as usual, and Troy Franklin has thrived in the short and intermediate areas of the field. The Broncos are therefore interest in a “classic, field-stretching receiving option” (via Fowler) who would be a more consistent deep threat than Marvin Mims. Fowler’s colleague Dan Graziano floated a deal with Payton’s former team, the Saints, that would bring Rashid Shaheed to Denver. Such a move would not be a reunion as Payton had already left New Orleans by the time Shaheed was drafted in 2022.
J.K. Dobbins Eyeing Broncos Extension
J.K. Dobbins‘ extensive injury history has crushed his free agency value in two offseasons. The former Ravens starter has signed two one-year deals since his rookie contract expired; each has been worth less than $2.1MM.
But the injury-prone running back has boosted two AFC West teams’ offensive performances over the past two seasons, posting a career-high 905 rushing yards last season. The then-Chargers starter did so despite missing four games with an MCL sprain. Another knee injury undoubtedly affected his 2025 market, which produced a low-end Chargers offer and eventual Broncos contract worth $2.07MM.
After the Chargers opted to replace Dobbins with Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton, the former second-round pick has impressed on that Denver deal. Through eight games, Dobbins sits behind only Jonathan Taylor and James Cook in rushing. Dobbins has posted 634 yards to start his Broncos run, helping maximize an offensive line that led the league in run block win rate last season — only to see scant rushing success accompany it.
Dobbins has teamed with second-round pick RJ Harvey but has been the season-long starter, residing as such despite not landing in Denver until June. Dobbins’ two 100-yard rushing performances are the Broncos’ only such efforts in the Sean Payton era. Set to turn 27 in December, the Ohio State product can use this season as a springboard to better terms.
Dobbins hopes those next set of terms will come in Denver, and while he said he has not thought about extension value, the sixth-year back confirmed interest (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) in a second Broncos contract. Should Dobbins stay on his current course, he will be in line to up his rate for 2026. But having missed 47 games due to injury as a pro — largely because of a 2021 ACL tear and 2023 Achilles tear — will still stand to limit his earning potential. This Broncos season could still prove pivotal for what could be a last chance of sorts for the RB to score a notable veteran contract.
Denver has not been shy about doing extensions in-season under GM George Paton. The team reupped both Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick during the 2021 season and paid Jonathon Cooper and Garett Bolles during the 2024 campaign. Dobbins joins linebacker Alex Singleton, center Luke Wattenberg and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers as regulars unsigned beyond 2025. Considering the Broncos already authorized big-ticket summer deals for Sutton, Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen, this glut of contract-year starters could need to find money elsewhere come 2026. Dobbins could be a special case, though, considering his position and midlevel (at best) value.
The Broncos have not authorized a notable second contract for a running back in a while, having made Javonte Williams and Phillip Lindsay one-contract players. The team did match a C.J. Anderson RFA offer sheet in 2016, though that was under previous ownership and GM John Elway. With Dobbins upping his price this season but carrying substantial injury baggage, it will be interesting to see if the Broncos enter extension talks with their starter soon.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/29/25
Here are today’s taxi squad moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from practice squad IR: WR Gabe Davis
Chicago Bears
- Signed: DE Jonathan Garvin, OL Royce Newman
Denver Broncos
- Signed: QB Sam Ehlinger
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: S Dante Barnett, CB Tyron Herring
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Dalton Keene
- Released: RB Jawhar Jordan
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB D’Ernest Johnson
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Released: DT Coziah Izzard
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: OL Jack Driscoll, WR John Rhys Plumlee
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: KR Velus Jones
- Released: RB Myles Gaskin
Washington Commanders
- Signed: WR Robbie Chosen
Broncos Sign Marcedes Lewis To Practice Squad
Tight end Marcedes Lewis is continuing his long-running career at the age of 41. Lewis has agreed to join the Broncos’ practice squad, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
With backup tight end Lucas Krull set to undergo foot surgery, the Broncos have been in the market for help at the position. They placed waiver claims on Brenden Bates and Ben Sims in recent days. Bates, whom the Texans waived, wound up with the Browns. The Vikings won out on Sims after the Packers cut him.
Unable to reel in either Bates or Sims, the Broncos brought in Lewis for a workout on Tuesday. Already the oldest tight end in NFL history, Lewis did enough to secure a practice squad spot and will now attempt to log his 20th season in the league.
After playing his college football at UCLA, Lewis entered the pros as a first-round pick (No. 28) of the Jaguars in 2006. He played with them through 2017, securing one Pro Bowl nod along the way, before stints with the Packers (2018-22) and Bears (2023-24). The 6-foot-6, 267-pounder combined for 437 catches, 5,155 yards, and 40 touchdowns with those three teams.
During the waning years of his career, Lewis has seen his impact as a pass catcher drop off significantly. He totaled just 11 receptions from 2022-24, but along with his blocking skills, Lewis is a durable option. He appeared in 17 games in each of the previous four seasons.
Having already missed the Broncos’ first eight contests this year, another 17-game slate isn’t in the cards for Lewis. Nevertheless, he could work his way into the mix for the AFC West contenders during the second half of the campaign. Lewis would give the Broncos a third tight end behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.
Broncos CB Patrick Surtain To Miss Time
OCTOBER 29: The Broncos are not planning to place Surtain on IR, according to Rapoport. It appears Surtain will miss three games, but he could return after the Broncos’ bye.
OCTOBER 28: Surtain is indeed in line to miss at least the Broncos’ next game, ESPN’s Jeff Legwold confirms. He adds Denver will approach this situation on a “week-to-week” basis beyond the Texans matchup. That will of course change if an IR stint is deemed necessary.
OCTOBER 27: The Broncos soared to 6-2 behind a dominant performance against the Cowboys, but they played the second half without their top player. That is expected to continue moving forward.
Patrick Surtain is expected to miss time with a pectoral injury sustained in the second quarter Sunday, veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports. A four- to six-week timetable is being floated here, via Schultz, though the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is ticketed for a second opinion. Either way, it appears the Broncos’ defense will be dealt a significant blow.
Surgery is not in the cards here, per Schultz, obviously representing good news for the AFC West leaders. It is a pec strain, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. While this is being labeled “week to week,” the NFL.com duo notes IR is possible here. ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds Surtain is indeed an IR candidate. Additional testing introduced IR here, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds, noting the team had initially hoped for a one- or two-week timetable. The Broncos’ bye comes in Week 12.
This comes at a pivotal point on the Broncos’ schedule, as the team has games against the Texans and Chiefs in the next four weeks. An IR stay would shelve Surtain for the first of the Kansas City matchups, along with games against the Raiders and Commanders. The Broncos have used three injury activations this season; they would certainly save one for Surtain should IR be necessary. The team could go week to week here as well, keeping the door open for the impact defender to return without missing four games.
While this can be viewed as positive news, as a torn pec could have ended Surtain’s season, it threatens to limit the Broncos during their best stretch in probably 10 years. Surtain regularly travels with teams’ top receivers, usually getting the best of them and providing a tremendous boost to a vaunted Broncos pass rush — one that leads the NFL in sacks. Denver adjusted against a high-powered Dallas offense in the second half, but teams game-planning for a Surtain-less defense will provide an advantage.
Surtain, 25, has been a top-tier cornerback for most of his career. The three-time All-Pro was initially a bright spot on slumping Broncos teams early in his career. Denver rejected trades for the impact defender at the 2023 deadline and extended him just before the 2024 season. That $24MM-per-year deal proved to represent great timing for the Broncos, who saw the Alabama product leap onto the DPOY perch last season (before Jaycee Horn, Derek Stingley Jr. and Sauce Gardner eclipsed his AAV this offseason). Surtain intercepted four passes and picked up his second first-team All-Pro nod in 2024, helping the Broncos rank third defensively and set a franchise record with 63 sacks.
Denver is fairly deep at corner, but Surtain’s absence will obviously be difficult to match. Riley Moss is the team’s other boundary corner, with Ja’Quan McMillian manning the slot. First-round pick Jahdae Barron, who played inside and outside at Texas, has been eased into action (24% snap share). While Barron could be an option to see some time outside in place of Surtain, the Broncos used second-year player Kris Abrams-Draine in his place in the second half against the Cowboys.
The Broncos also have not needed to play much without Surtain during the former top-10 pick’s career. He missed one game his rookie year and one last season, playing in all 17 contests in 2022 and ’23. The Broncos held the Cowboys’ first-string offense to just one touchdown after halftime sans Surtain on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how Vance Joseph arranges his pieces without his ace cover man during this expected absence.
Saints Open To Trading WR Rashid Shaheed
The Saints have two receivers drawing heavy trade interest and another who has been dealt four times in a well-traveled career. New Orleans also turned to the trade market to acquire a wideout, having sent fourth- and seventh-round pick to obtain Devaughn Vele from the Broncos in August.
As the deadline nears, however, the Saints are 1-7. The team appears prepared to retain Chris Olave, who is under contract (via the fifth-year option) through 2026. At this point in his career, Brandin Cooks is unlikely to fetch much (if anything) in a trade. The former New Orleans first-round pick has not shown much in his return to Louisiana. This leaves Rashid Shaheed as the trade chip to monitor, and it does appear New Orleans is ready to seriously listen to interest.
Expecting at least one of the Saints’ wideouts to be traded by the Nov. 4 deadline, ESPN’s Adam Schefter points to Shaheed as the player interesting most WR-needy teams. With an Olave extension appearing more likely than a trade, Shaheed appears the consolation prize. The speedy Olave sidekick is in a contract year, and his production — in a trade market lacking big names — provides natural interest to clubs hoping to upgrade their respective situations. Teams have been in on Shaheed for multiple weeks.
The Saints are using Shaheed a bit differently this year. Having averaged at least 15.6 yards per catch in each of his first three seasons (and over 17 in two of them), the former UDFA is at just 11.1 per reception this year. The Weber State product, though, is on pace to smash his career high for receptions. He already has 39 grabs for 431 yards. The 2023 season (46 catches, 719 yards) represents his best thus far, but WR-needy teams are on the lookout. And Shaheed’s situation could be upgraded soon.
New Orleans has seen flashes from Spencer Rattler, but after last week’s benching, the team is transitioning to second-round rookie Tyler Shough. Olave, Cooks and Vele would represent a workable trio for Shough (even if Vele has disappointed post-trade), and compounded with the Dolphins keeping Jaylen Waddle out of trade talks, Shaheed could command a nice return for a Saints team in need of cost-controlled talent (as the restructure-heavy franchise’s annual cap troubles are coming again in 2026).
Coming up in our previous offering about Saints wideouts, the Bills, Broncos and Steelers are among the teams who have made calls on wideouts recently. Pittsburgh’s Marquez Valdes-Scantling pickup is unlikely to deter more trade interest from the AFC North leaders, and the Bills’ Week 8 dismantling of the Panthers did not feature much in the passing game. The Broncos did see Troy Franklin produce his best career game Sunday, but they do not have a consistent second option — even if Franklin is emerging — behind Courtland Sutton. Shaheed did not overlap with Sean Payton, but the Broncos’ roster has many ex-Saints, and Shaheed did play under Pete Carmichael (in a system closely resembling Payton’s offense) for two seasons. Carmichael is a senior offensive assistant in Denver.
Shaheed and the Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers may be the top options for receiver-focused teams. Both profile as rentals, though an acquiring team would obviously hold exclusive negotiating rights until the March tampering period, but Shaheed is two years younger. Playing an age-27 season, Shaheed will be a key free agent to monitor — that is, if an acquiring team does not extend him — come 2026.
The Saints will need to make a decision soon. They could collect a possible Day 2 pick for a player obtained after the 2022 draft. That would help the Mickey Loomis–Kellen Moore operation ahead of the 2026 draft.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/28/25
Today’s practice squad transactions from across the NFL:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: CB AJ Woods
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: T Michael Tarquin
- Released: CB Michael Reid
Denver Broncos
- Released: OLB Garrett Nelson, WR Samori Toure
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: WR Justin Shorter
- Released: LB Brian Asamoah II
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Tyler Scott
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: CB Ethan Robinson
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: CB Kendall Sheffield
Minnesota Vikings
- Released: S K’Von Wallace
New England Patriots
- Signed: RB Rushawn Baker, RB Jonathan Ward
- Placed on practice squad/injured list: RB Jashaun Corbin
New York Giants
- Signed: LB Swayze Bozeman
- Released: WR Juice Wells Jr.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Parry Nickerson
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: S Darrick Forrest
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: T Andre Dillard
- Released: T Brandon Parker
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Kemon Hall, WR Hal Presley
- Released: LB Ochaun Mathis
Washington Commanders
- Released: K Matthew Wright
The Steelers have seen injuries ravage their secondary in recent weeks. They made a big move not long ago to address the position, but Forrest comes in with some additional experience, providing depth at safety.
The 49ers are letting go of Parker, a former third-round pick who failed to find success with the Raiders, in order to make room for Dillard, a former first-round pick who failed to ever establish himself as a full-time starter in the NFL. Dillard spent the offseason with San Francisco, eventually getting released from injured reserve with an injury settlement. He’s been a free agent ever since and now signs his first ever practice squad deal.
After getting signed to the Commanders’ practice squad to fill in for an injured Matt Gay last night, Wright returns to free agency. In a low-scoring Sunday night affair, Wright made his only kick — a single extra point attempt.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/28/25
Here are Tuesday’s minor NFL moves as the headlines are taken up by bigger names due to the impending trade deadline:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Tommy Akingbesote
Carolina Panthers
- Signed off 49ers’ practice squad: OLB Trevis Gipson
- Waived: DT Jaden Crumedy
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: DE Austin Booker
- Placed on IR: DL Shemar Turner (story)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Placed on IR: LB Shaka Heyward, C Matt Lee
- Released: DT Mike Pennel
Denver Broncos
- Activated from commissioners/suspended list: LB Dre Greenlaw
- Released: QB Sam Ehlinger
Los Angeles Chargers
- Practice window opened: CB Deane Leonard
Los Angeles Rams
- Released: CB Tre Brown
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on IR: CB Storm Duck (story)
New York Giants
- Claimed off waivers (from Browns): CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse
- Placed on IR: RB Cam Skattebo (story)
New York Jets
- Waived: WR Brandon Smith
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Waived (with injury settlement): DT Domenique Davis
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Packers’ practice squad: CB Micah Robinson
- Signed off Patriots’ practice squad: OLB Truman Jones
- Placed on IR: OLB Ali Gaye
The Bengals cleared out a few roster spots today as Heyward will need about four weeks to work his way back from a hairline fracture in his fibula. Pennel, a 12-year veteran on the interior defensive line, had started to cede his defensive snaps to younger options and found himself falling down the depth chart despite appearing in every game this season. He requested his release from the team, and it was granted.
Similar to when San Francisco brought Greenlaw back from injured reserve, the 49ers are releasing Ehlinger to make room on the 53-man roster. Like last time, the plan is for Ehlinger to remain in Denver via an addition to the practice squad tomorrow.
Broncos Audition Marcedes Lewis, Miss On Two TE Waiver Claims
The Broncos are certainly showing their hand when it comes to tight ends. After reports of trade interest in the position, the team made multiple waiver claims and has now gone through with a Marcedes Lewis workout.
Attempting to play a 20th NFL season, Lewis met with the Broncos about a gig (per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Lewis spent the past two seasons with the Bears, being used regularly as a blocker despite his advanced age. At 41, Lewis is attempting to make history on multiple fronts.
[RELATED: Broncos Going Week-To-Week With Patrick Surtain’s Injury]
Lewis already the oldest pure tight end in NFL history. In terms of skill positions, only Jerry Rice has played beyond his age-39 season. Rice played his age-41 season in Oakland in 2003 and kept going at 42, being traded to Seattle midseason. Being in a conversation with the greatest skill player in NFL history is certainly notable for Lewis, even if he does not end up catching on with Denver (where Rice held his retirement presser after a summer 2005 attempt to catch on with the Broncos).
The Broncos are eyeing Lewis for a role complementing Evan Engram and Adam Trautman. Rather than seek a pass-catching tight end to give Engram some help after a sluggish start, Denver is believed to want depth help. Lucas Krull‘s foot surgery will put his return from IR in doubt, and fullback/TE Nate Adkins suffered a knee injury Sunday. Engram and Trautman reside as Denver’s top two tight ends, but another could join the duo soon.
A 2006 first-round pick, Lewis has proven an incredibly durable player even into his 40s. He has not missed a game since the 2021 season. After a 12-year Jaguars tenure, Lewis played five Packers seasons. Primarily working as a blocker in Green Bay and Chicago, Lewis played more than 40% of the Packers’ offensive snaps from 2019-22. With Chicago, his usage dipped toward the 20% threshold.
Last season, Lewis played 19% of the Bears’ snaps. He started eight games and caught five passes as a Bear but was mostly used in the run game. Lewis has played in 285 career games, starting 229. He would be more than 10 years older than every Broncos offensive player save for Garett Bolles (33). But Lewis recently held a role as a third tight end, complementing Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett in Chicago last year.
In addition to Lewis, the Broncos telegraphed their interest in TE help by submitting two waiver claims Monday. The team attempted to add tight ends Brenden Bates and Ben Sims, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Teams with better waiver priorities (Browns, Vikings) were awarded the players. The Texans waived Bates, while the Packers cut Sims. Adkins remains on Denver’s active roster, but a move for another option here appears imminent.
Broncos Eyeing TE Help; Lucas Krull Set For Surgery
Calls for the Broncos to improve Courtland Sutton‘s wingman situation have gone unheeded for a while, and the team quieted concerns about the situation in a blowout win over the Cowboys on Sunday. That game featured regular contributions from Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant and more tertiary work from Evan Engram, who has come along slowly in Sean Payton‘s offense.
Engram remains the Broncos’ starting tight end, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicates the team has looked into the trade market at this position ahead of the November 4 deadline. Rather than add a player to challenge Engram atop the depth chart, the team may instead be aiming for a depth move.
Stationed on IR, Lucas Krull is not in position to be activated anytime soon. The backup is set to undergo foot surgery, 9News’ Mike Klis reports. Krull, a former Saints UDFA who has been with the Broncos for three seasons, has been on IR for four weeks.
He would be eligible to come off the injured list for Week 9, but this surgery is now on track to sideline him for roughly two more months, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson notes, adding the surgery is on track for today. The initial plan of rehab did not end up working, leading to the surgery route.
Krull made some minor contributions to the 2023 and ’24 Broncos editions, squads that did not receive much from their tight end contingents. In 2024, Krull caught 19 passes for 152 yards. He has just two catches for 15 yards this year. Additionally, Klis notes tight end/fullback Nate Adkins sustained a knee injury that appears likely to cost him time. Categorizing Denver’s TE search as for a depth option, Klis reiterates Engram and ex-Saint Adam Trautman remain the top two for the 6-2 team at this position.
Denver has seventh-round rookie Caleb Lohner, a converted basketball player, on its practice squad. Patrick Murtaugh also resides on the Broncos’ taxi squad. A trade for a depth tight end would not exactly move the needle, but the Broncos have prioritized these roles. Trautman has played 48% of the Broncos’ offensive snaps this season; after returning from ankle surgery last month, Adkins has logged a 35% snap share.
Not rostering much receiving help at the position since including Noah Fant in the Russell Wilson trade, the Broncos gave Engram a two-year, $23MM deal. Two early-season injuries limited the former first-round pick, and while he has made some contributions during Denver’s five-game win streak, the eight-figure-per-year player is averaging just 8.3 yards per catch (26/215). To be fair, Engram was at just 8.4 in his 2023 Pro Bowl season in Jacksonville. But Payton had eyed the 31-year-old target as a potential field-stretching presence, his coveted “Joker” piece.
It does not, however, look like the Broncos are eyeing a player who would push Engram for time. It remains to be seen if the Broncos will make a move for receiving help — after two reports last week suggested teams had that on their radar — but some assistance is being pursued elsewhere on offense.