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Broncos Notes: Nix, Contracts, Ehlinger, LBs

August 31st, 2025 at 4:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Broncos have a rookie-QB salary headlining their roster, they are still not out of the woods on the Russell Wilson contract. The 2022 trade/extension mistake — which the NFLPA grievance shed more light on — still has Bo Nix‘s predecessor on the Broncos’ cap sheet for $32MM. This has influenced how the Broncos have structured contracts and approached acquisitions.

As ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold notes, the Saints had 11 Sean Payton-era draft classes in which they chose fewer than seven rookies. The Broncos grabbed seven in 2024 and ’25. This was by design, as Legwold indicates the Wilson release influenced the Broncos to pivot from the veteran-heavy roster constructions Payton preferred in New Orleans. Denver did enjoy a more notable free agency period this year than last, signing the likes of Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Evan Engram. But the team also minimized its usage of void years. While Denver added a void year to Patrick Surtain‘s extension to help with 2025 cap space, the cap-manipulating tactic did not surface in Zach Allen‘s four-year, $104MM deal.

Void years savants, the Saints continue to navigate historic cap issues each offseason. The Broncos began their Payton years by using this route regularly — via the Mike McGlinchey, Ben Powers and Garett Bolles deals. Even Courtland Sutton‘s extension includes two dummy years, but a source told Legwold Broncos ownership seems to have an influence in this matter. Payton’s Saints past injects some “prove it” vibes to any notions of a stripes change regarding cost conservation, but many in the league noticed some changes this offseason.

It will be interesting to see if more comes from CEO Greg Penner regarding contract structure in the near future. Here is the latest out of Denver:

  • The Nix pick drew reach labels last year, but Payton helped coax a strong rookie season from the No. 12 overall selection. When the Broncos assembled their 2024 QB big board, they ranked Nix behind only Jayden Daniels, per Legwold. Payton’s Nix infatuation has been well chronicled, and it is certainly interesting the Broncos appear to have ranked the polarizing Oregon prospect above no-doubt No. 1 Caleb Williams. We are still far too early in this quarterback class’ run to establish a clear hierarchy. This year, when seven 2024 QB draftees (counting the Saints’ Spencer Rattler) will start in Week 1, will provide more evidence on each second-year QB talent.
  • Behind Nix and Jarrett Stidham, Sam Ehlinger resides on Denver’s practice squad. Ehlinger is believed to have received two active-roster invites following his Broncos release, veteran insider Jordan Schultz notes. They were each viewed as contending teams, per the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson. Considering the gulf between veteran-minimum money and practice squad payouts, Ehlinger’s decision is interesting. The Broncos can up his rate via gameday elevations or a potential signing off the practice squad in-season.
  • Denver will count on two starters recovering from at linebacker, in Greenlaw and Alex Singleton. Greenlaw, who suffered an Achilles tear in Super Bowl LVIII and missed most of last season, also was down due to multiple injuries this offseason. Payton pointed to (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) pitch counts for the two LBs early in the season. The Broncos re-signed Justin Strnad, Singleton’s primary sub after the starter’s Week 3 ACL tear, and kept rookie UDFA Karene Reid as backups. Those two may see more time earlier, as Greenlaw and Singleton round into form.
  • Tight end Nate Adkins remains on the Broncos’ 53-man roster, rather than being stashed as an IR-return player, after undergoing tightrope surgery to address a high ankle sprain. Adam Prentice is the current Denver fullback, but when Atkins returns, Tomasson adds the team is considering sliding him to a fullback role. Adkins is one of four Broncos TEs, joining Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
  • Four RBs (J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie) are on the active roster, and Tomasson indicates the team could circle back to Blake Watson. The Broncos reached an injury settlement with the second-year UDFA after he suffered a preseason PCL strain. They want him back on the P-squad, per Tomasson, who notes it is a three-week injury settlement. No deal can commence until that time passes.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

August 27th, 2025 at 4:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Following the 53-man roster cutdown deadline Tuesday, many teams will make slight tweaks to their rosters. In addition to waiver claims, teams can begin constructing their 16-man practice squads today. These Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders moves are noted below.

Denver Broncos

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed:

Placed on IR:

Signed to practice squad:

Broncos Place FB Michael Burton On IR, Cut 27 Players

August 26th, 2025 at 8:22pm CST by Ben Levine

The Broncos continued their (mostly) ongoing streak of UDFA rookies making the active roster. Linebacker Karene Reid has made the 53-man roster, marking the 21st time in the past 22 years that a college free agent has made the Broncos as a first-year player.

The rest of the team’s moves:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • DT Kristian Williams

Placed on IR (designated for return):

Placed on IR:

Fullback Michael Burton won’t play for the Broncos this season, as Sean Payton revealed that the veteran suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery (per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). The 33-year-old appeared in every game for Denver over the past two seasons, garnering reps in about 17 percent of his team’s offensive snaps and 63 percent of his team’s special teams snaps. Over that span, Burton collected 90 yards from scrimmage on 27 touches, and he’s added another 10 special teams stops.

A number of these players could land back on the practice squad. Assuming they pass through waivers, it sounds like the following players are destined for Denver’s practice squad: wideout Michael Bandy (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver), offensive lineman Joe Michalski (per Klis), offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (per Klis), cornerback Jaden Robinson (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston), and cornerback Reese Taylor (per Tomasson).

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/17/25

August 17th, 2025 at 8:28pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest minor moves from around the NFL:

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Tennessee Titans

  • Waived: DL Philip Blidi

Perkins, the reigning UFL MVP, will add some depth to the Panthers’ quarterback room with Andy Dalton sidelined by an elbow injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Perkins appeared in five games for the Rams between 2020 and 2022, but has not played in the last two NFL seasons.

The Broncos were looking to add another fullback after a hamstring injury to starter Michael Burton, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. They auditioned Prentice, Khari Blasingame, and Troy Hairston on Saturday, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, with Prentice earning a roster spot. This will be his second stint in Denver after starting his career there as an undrafted rookie in 2021.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/24

March 13th, 2024 at 9:18pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/9/23

December 9th, 2023 at 5:02pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves and callups heading into the Week 14 slate of Sunday games:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

There was some thought that Ammendola’s stint with the Texans had come to an end after four appearances. However, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes that regular starting kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn still isn’t ready to return from his strained quadriceps, requiring the practice squad kicker to step in for at least another week. Ammendola has connected on six of his nine field goal attempts and all 10 of his XP tries this season.

With Trevor Lawrence a game-time decision for Sunday’s game, the Jaguars are adding some QB depth to the active roster. Rourke is a former CFL standout, with the quarterback earning the CFL Most Outstanding Canadian award in 2022. Following that breakout, 25-touchdown campaign, Rourke got a look from a number of NFL teams and ultimately signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars this past offseason. He was waived at the end of the preseason and has spent the majority of the season on Jacksonville’s practice squad. Per ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, the rookie will be the emergency QB3 for Week 14.

Similarly, the Seahawks will call up Mannion and O’Connell as they deal with injuries to starting quarterback Geno Smith and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Smith is questionable heading into tomorrow’s game with a groin injury.

Stewart is back on the Colts active roster after having served a six-game ban for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Through six games this season, the veteran has compiled 20 tackles, two stops for a loss, and five QB hits.

Crosby is set to make his 2023 debut and make an appearance for a team other than the Packers for the first time since the 39-year-old was drafted back in 2007.

Schweitzer head right back to injured reserve after being activated last week. The Jets signed a lineman to the active roster from the practice squad and elevated one for tomorrow’s game to add some depth at the position.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/2/23

December 2nd, 2023 at 4:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s gameday callups and minor moves heading into Sunday:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

The Chiefs have ruled out running back Jerick McKinnon for tomorrow’s game against the Packers, necessitating some extra depth at the position. The team will turn to Prince, an undrafted free agent who has spent the entire season on Kansas City’s practice squad. Prince had a breakout season at Tulsa in 2022, finishing with 813 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns.

Winfrey, a 2022 fourth-round pick, was cut by the Browns last July after being investigated for pulling a gun on a woman. He joined the Jets practice squad in early November and will finally earn his first promotion of the season. Winfrey got into 13 games for Cleveland last year, collecting 22 tackles and 0.5 sacks.

At age 36, Irvin will be making his debut for a sixth NFL team. The veteran pass rusher signed with Detroit midway through November and will finally have a chance to extend his streak of regular season appearances to 12 straight years. The only absence on the Lions’ front-seven will be linebacker Alex Anzalone, so Detroit may be looking to stand Irvin up to help the team’s depth at linebacker.

 

Saints Place CB Marshon Lattimore On IR; Derek Carr Clears Concussion Protocol

November 25th, 2023 at 7:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Saints’ offense will be without wideout Michael Thomas for an extended stretch after he was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. The same is now true of cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The latter was moved to IR on Saturday, per a team announcement. Like Thomas, Lattimore exited the Saints’ loss to the Vikings and was subsequently deemed to have suffered a “signficant injury.” The ankle ailment kept Lattimore out of practice this week, and New Orleans will elect to shut him down during a pivotal point in the campaign. He will be forced to miss at least four weeks as a result of today’s move.

Lattimore’s absence will be acutely felt given his importance to the Saints’ secondary. That unit has helped New Orleans rank seventh in the league in passing yards allowed per game (199); he has also recorded one of the team’s 12 interceptions, a figure which places the team second in the NFL. The four-time Pro Bowler has had another strong season in 2023 with 48 tackles, eight pass deflections and a 57.4% completion percentage allowed.

Fellow starters Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor will be leaned on more heavily at the CB spot moving forward with Lattimore facing a lengthy injury absence for the second consecutive season. A lacerated kidney and broken ribs led to a 10-game stay on the sidelines last year, though Lattimore did not go on IR in that case. With him now guaranteed to be shelved for at least a medium-term stretch, veteran Isaac Yiadom (who has primarily played on special teams) could be in line to take on a starting role.

In more positive injury news, quarterback Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. He is thus in line to suit up tomorrow after exiting the Saints’ Week 12 game. With the team’s bye week having come and gone, Carr’s throwing shoulder – which was banged up earlier in the campaign – should also be healthier, which could lead to improvement in the passing game on offense. That would be a welcomed development for the 5-5 Saints as they look to maintain their lead in the NFC South down the stretch.

In addition to placing Lattimore on IR, the Saints made defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul a gameday elevation. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed last week to New Orleans’ practice squad, and it comes as no surprise that he will quickly be eligible to make his Saints debut. Fullback Adam Prentice was also elevated to the gameday roster for tomorrow’s contest against the Falcons.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/16/23

November 16th, 2023 at 6:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s practice squad moves:

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

  • Signed: DB Reese Taylor

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

The Cowboys are Davis’ third team this year. Going to camp with the Patriots, Davis did not make the team. The veteran nose tackle had seen action with New England over the past three seasons. The Seahawks added Davis, 31, to their practice squad in September but released him five weeks later. The former Ravens starter and Colts, Browns and Jaguars contributor has 19 career starts. Davis played 216 defensive snaps last season.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/14/23

November 14th, 2023 at 8:12pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Following a spree of illegal hits, Kareem Jackson was hit with a four-game ban back in October. That suspension ended up getting knocked down to two games, and following that absence, the defensive back has returned to the active roster. While Justin Simmons has long resided as the Broncos’ top safety, Pro Football Focus has graded Jackson as a top-20 player at the position this season.

Halapoulivaati Vaitai suffered a back injury that will require a stint on injured reserve, although there’s a chance the veteran lineman ends up having to miss the rest of the season. After starting all 25 of his appearances for the Lions between 2020 and 2021, Vaitai has started three of his six games in 2022.

Hunter Long was a third-round pick by the Dolphins in 2021 but only lasted two seasons in Miami, hauling in a single eight-yard catch. He was part of the Rams’ offseason trade return for Jalen Ramsey but hasn’t appeared in a game this season. The tight end landed on IR in early September with a thigh injury.

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