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Minor NFL Transactions: 12/14/17

By Dallas Robinson | at December 14, 2017 5:51 pm

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Signed: CB Deji Olatoye
Waived: CB C.J. Goodwin

Denver Broncos

Promoted to active roster: S Dymonte Thomas

Houston Texans

Promoted to active roster: QB Taylor Heinicke
Waived: DT Jarrod Clements

Broncos Expected To Retain Vance Joseph

By Zachary Links | at December 14, 2017 2:42 pm

The expectation is that Broncos coach Vance Joseph will return for 2018, sources informed of the team’s thinking tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, the team’s decision makers will be keeping a close eye on how the team finishes out the 2017 season.

The Broncos are 4-9 with zero chance of making the playoffs, but they’ll have chances to add to the win column against the Colts and Redskins and they could get the opportunity to spoil the Chiefs’ playoff hopes in Week 17. John Elway & Co. understand the team’s limitations on offense, Rapoport says, but they want to see the Broncos play competitive football in the final three games of the year.

Denver went 3-1 in the first month of the season, but things got ugly after the Week 5 bye. The Broncos dropped eight straight before snapping their losing streak against the Jets this past Sunday. Speculation about Joseph’s job security has dogged the team all year, but it sounds like the Broncos are poised to give him a second season to turn things around.

Under Joseph’s watch, the Broncos rank seventh in defensive DVOA, though that’s a step back from their first-place finish in the previous two seasons. Meanwhile, they’re dead last in offensive DVOA. The Broncos likely feel that Joseph can help restore the defense to its former glory while some roster changes (namely, at quarterback) can ignite the offense.

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Broncos To Place Justin Simmons On IR

By Zachary Links | at December 13, 2017 1:08 pm

Justin Simmons‘ season is over. The Broncos are placing the safety on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).

Simmons injured himself while celebrating with teammate Brandon Marshall on Sunday. After Marshall sacked and stripped the ball from Josh McCown in the first quarter, Simmons gave him the linebacker a mid-air bump. Unfortunately, Simmons landed on Marshall’s foot and his ankle turned the wrong way.

It’s an early conclusion to what has been a breakout season for Simmons. Heading into this season, the second-year pro was slated to come off of the bench. However, the Broncos were so impressed by Simmons that they released former Pro Bowler T.J. Ward in order to give him more playing time.

Simmons started in all 13 of his games this year, compiling 63 tackles, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and 1.5 sacks. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 34 ranked safety, slotting him ahead of veterans like Bradley McDougald, Eric Weddle, and Tony Jefferson.

The Broncos, now 4-9 after drumming the Jets, will finish out the season against the Colts, Redskins, and Chiefs.

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Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/17

By Zachary Links | at December 11, 2017 9:05 pm

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Promoted from practice squad: OL Vinston Painter
Waived: LS Justin Drescher, WR Carlton Agudosi

Denver Broncos

Signed: TE Matt LaCosse (from Giants’ practice squad)

Kansas City Chiefs

Promoted from practice squad: S Leon McQuay
Placed on injured reserve: S Steven Terrell on IR

New York Giants

Signed: WR Hunter Sharp (from Broncos’ practice squad)
Placed on injured reserve: WR Darius Powe

Los Angeles Chargers

Placed on injured reserve: RB Andre Williams

0 comments Arizona Cardinals Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers New York Giants Transactions Andre Williams Carlton Agudosi Darius Powe Hunter Sharp Justin Drescher Leon McQuay Matt LaCosse Steven Terrell Vinston Painter

Broncos To Place RG Ron Leary On IR

By Zachary Links | at December 11, 2017 4:23 pm

The Broncos are expected to place right guard Ron Leary on injured reserve, a locker room source tells Mike Klis of 9 News (Twitter link). The team will formally shut him down for the season this week and replace him on the 53-man roster with another player.

Leary became the highest-paid guard in Broncos history when he inked a four-year, $36MM deal with the team this past offseason. Some teams shied away from Leary due to his history of knee issues, but he stayed healthy – up until this point- and earned a career-high 81.2 overall score from Pro Football Focus. As of this writing, he is PFF’s No. 11 ranked guard this year, ahead of notables such as Kevin Zeitler, Richie Incognito, T.J. Lang, and Kelechi Osemele.

The former UDFA is under contract with Denver through the 2020 season and is slated to carry an $8.875 cap number next year.

Of course, the 4-9 Broncos aren’t playing for much in December. If the season ended today, they would own the No. 5 pick in the draft.

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Broncos Looking At G Quenton Nelson?

By Sam Robinson | at December 9, 2017 7:33 pm

Notre Dame’s offensive line figures to produce two first-round talents in tackle Mike McGlinchey and guard Quenton Nelson. While McGlinchy’s name has hovered on draft radars longer, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com notes Nelson is viewed as the better prospect among scouts. One scout declared Nelson was the best prospect he’d seen this season “by far.” Miller notes the Broncos have Nelson rated as the top offensive lineman on their early board.