Derby, Heurerman Out, Leaving Green As Only Active TE
- The Broncos have just one tight end on the roster entering the weekend for this Sunday’s game against the Bengals. Both A.J. Derby and Jeff Heuerman have been ruled out, which leaves Virgil Green as the lone name left on the depth chart, according to Mike Klis of 9news.com. Derby is recovering from a shoulder injury that he suffered this past Sunday night and Heuerman is dealing with a knee injury. It should be noted that no Broncos tight end has been a huge factor in the team’s offense, with Denver mostly relying on the receiving combo of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to move the football through the air. Klis does note that the team is expected to call up practice squad tight end Austin Traylor to take snaps as the team’s number two, adding that interestingly an unknown offensive lineman could work as the Broncos number three option if need be.
Broncos Audition Jeff Locke
- The Broncos worked out free agent punter Jeff Locke on Thursday, but it doesn’t sound as though Denver is interested in signing the veteran specialist, per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. Denver is facing a left-footed punter in the Bengals’ Kevin Huber on Sunday, so auditioning Locke gave returner Jordan Taylor a chance to catch punts from a lefty. Locke signed a relatively large (for a punter) deal with the Colts this offseason, but has since been cut by both Indianapolis and Detroit.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Hardy Nickerson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Josh Rounds
Denver Broncos
- Signed: TE Brian Parker, WR Tim Patrick
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Joshua Perry
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
- Waived: TE Braedon Bowman
Washington Redskins
- Signed: RB LeShun Daniels, DB Orion Stewart
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/17
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deon King
Denver Broncos
- Promoted to active roster: LB Deiontrez Mount
Indianapolis Colts
- Claimed off waivers: LB Jermaine Grace
- Waived: LB Darnell Sankey
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived from injured reserve: T Donald Hawkins
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/17
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Browns‘ practice squad: RB Terrence Magee
- Waived: LB Jermaine Grace
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: DT Deandre Coleman
- Waived: DT Jerel Worthy
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed off Falcons‘ practice squad: RB Brian Hill
- Waived: LB Hardy Nickerson
Denver Broncos
- Waived: LB Kasim Edebali
Detroit Lions
- Signed: WR Jace Billingsley, DE George Johnson
- Waived: WR Jared Abbrederis, DE Jacquies Smith
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LS Brett Goode
- Waived: LS Derek Hart
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: LS Colin Holba
- Placed on injured reserve: LS Matt Overton
Philadelphia Eagles
- Waived: T Taylor Hart
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DL Caraun Reid, LB Zach Vigil
- Waived: DL Brandon Banks
Saints Sign RB Jonathan Williams
The Saints are signing running back Jonathan Williams to a two-year deal off the Broncos’ practice squad, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Williams will take the place of Daniel Lasco, who has been ruled out for the year with a bulging disc.
[RELATED: Saints RB Daniel Lasco Done For Year]
Williams was expected to serve as LeSean McCoy‘s top backup in Buffalo this year. Instead, the Bills made him a surprise cut in early September. He had a fair amount of buzz coming out of Arkansas in 2016, but the new regime in Buffalo might have been upset about some of his off-the-field behavior.
Soon after he was cut, the Broncos made Williams an abnormally high offer to join the practice squad, allowing them to beat out at least three other teams for his services. Williams did not get called up to the Broncos’ varsity team this year, but he may get his chance to see the field with New Orleans.
Williams will likely slot in as the Saints’ No. 4 running back behind Mark Ingram, Alvin Kamara, and Trey Edmunds.
Broncos To Turn To Paxton Lynch If Brock Osweiler Struggles Tonight
The Broncos have tried to tinker their playbook a bit to suit Brock Osweiler‘s strengths, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). However, Rapoport calls tonight’s matchup with New England Osweiler’s final audition, and if he should continue to struggle, Paxton Lynch — who is reportedly getting healthier — will be given the chance to show what he can do.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/8/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: K Mike Meyer
- Released: QB Garrett Grayson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: OL Korren Kirven
Denver Broncos
- Signed: C Dillon Day
- Released: WR Tim Patrick
Houston Texans
- Signed: OL Dorian Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: WR Devin Lucien
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Patrick Gamble
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DE Tavaris Barnes, WR Keenan Reynolds
- Released: T Givens Price
Broncos Place OT Menelik Watson On IR
The Broncos announced that they have placed right tackle Menelik Watson on injured reserve with a foot injury. To take his place, they have signed Cyrus Kouandjio. 
Watson came to Denver on a three-year, $18.75MM contract this offseason. Although he is talented, he is no stranger to missing time. Heading into 2017, Watson had already missed 37 of a possible 64 regular-season games due to various injuries over the course of four seasons, including an entirely lost 2015. With his 2017 over, the tally is now up to 48 missed games out of 80 possible appearances.
Watson lost a significant amount of weight in the offseason in an attempt to stay healthy, but he is still in search of his first complete season. The former second round pick of the Raiders has yet to play in more than 12 games in any given campaign.
The Broncos have first-round pick Garett Bolles starting at left tackle with Donald Stephenson and Elijah Wilkinson in reserve. Stephenson has been sidelined thanks to a calf injury he suffered prior to Week 7, so Wilkinson or Kouandjio could conceivably draw the next start at RT.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/7/17
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed off Seahawks‘ practice squad: LB Joseph Jones
- Waived: LB Kevin Snyder
Indianapolis Colts
Los Angeles Chargers
- Waived: LB Josh Keyes, T Tyler Marz
Miami Dolphins
- Signed off Browns‘ practice squad: T Zach Sterup
Minnesota Vikings
- Waived from injured reserve: WR R.J. Shelton
New Orleans Saints
- Waived from injured reserve: WR Corey Fuller, T Martin Wallace
New York Jets
- Signed: DL Ed Stinson
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DB Antone Exum
- Placed on injured reserve: T Garry Gilliam
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted to active roster: LB Josh Forrest
- Placed on injured reserve: FB Tre Madden