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Baron Browning

Broncos To Activate OLB Baron Browning, RT Mike McGlinchey

October 17th, 2024 at 2:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

2:01pm: McGlinchey will also return when first eligible. Although the Broncos could have given their two recovering players the mini-bye to move toward a return, they have deemed neither IR-return cog as in need of extra time. The veteran right tackle will join Browning in coming off IR tonight, NFL.com’s Jane Slater tweets.

Adrift at right tackle for a decade, with the team using a remarkable 11 Week 1 RT starters from 2013-23, the Broncos have McGlinchey signed to a five-year deal that features a fully guaranteed 2025 salary. McGlinchey made 16 starts last season, and the former 49ers top-10 pick will be back for a Broncos team that remains without reserve RT option Alex Palczewski. Four injury activations now remain for the Broncos.

12:33pm: The Broncos’ pass rush will have a reinforcement back tonight. Despite Baron Browning returning to practice during a short week, the Broncos will not slow-play his return.

Both Browning and Mike McGlinchey received IR-return designations this week, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the former is coming off IR ahead of tonight’s Saints matchup. It is not yet certain if McGlinchey will join the outside linebacker in playing in New Orleans, but with Denver’s right tackle practicing fully Wednesday, it would seem the team will strongly consider another immediate activation.

[RELATED: Injured Reserve Return Tracker]

Browning went down with a foot injury in Week 2; McGlinchey sustained an MCL sprain during the Broncos’ loss to the Steelers as well. Browning’s return will be pivotal for his future, as this is a contract year for the former third-round pick. The Ohio State alum worked as a starter alongside his former college teammate, Jonathon Cooper, but the Broncos have seen 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto enjoy success filling in.

Regardless of how the Broncos structure their OLB corps, the team has another piece to use during a season that has seen Vance Joseph‘s unit help cover for offensive struggles. Browning will join Bonitto, Cooper and third-round rookie Jonah Elliss in the Broncos’ OLB group.

Denver moved Browning from inside linebacker to the edge in 2022, after having used him as a starter off the ball as a rookie. Browning has flashed pass-rushing chops, totaling five sacks in 2022 and 4.5 last season. Browning forced two fumbles in 2023 and tallied 12 QB hits a year prior. Though, injuries have been a consistent part of Browning’s NFL career. An offseason knee injury led Browning to the Broncos’ PUP list last year, costing him seven games. Browning, 25, also missed three games during the 2021 and ’22 seasons.

It would stand to reason, then, that Cooper may be higher on Denver’s long-term priority list. The former seventh-rounder has established himself as a starter in Joseph’s 3-4 scheme, leading the Broncos with 4.5 sacks this season. Cooper joins Browning in a contract year, creating a decision for a Broncos team that has already paid two members from its 2021 draft class — Quinn Meinerz and Patrick Surtain. A Cooper-or-Browning decision may loom, but the latter also will need to show he can stay healthy enough to be a productive player in his contract year to warrant extension consideration.

Broncos Designate RT Mike McGlinchey, OLB Baron Browning For Return

October 15th, 2024 at 4:14pm CST by Sam Robinson

A loss to the Chargers halted the Broncos’ win streak at three, but reinforcements are on the way. Both Baron Browning and Mike McGlinchey are back at practice for the AFC West team.

Denver designated both its starting right tackle and fourth-year linebacker for return Tuesday, 9News’ Mike Klis tweets. This would make each eligible to be activated ahead of Thursday’s game in New Orleans. While the Broncos may be cautious with both given the short week and each having a 21-day return timetable, the early return designations are certainly notable.

McGlinchey went down with an MCL sprain in Week 2, while Browning also headed to IR after an injury (a foot issue) sustained against the Steelers. The Broncos have since lost backup right tackle Alex Palczewski to a high ankle sprain; McGlinchey’s top reserve did not play in the team’s Week 6 loss to the Bolts. The Broncos also cut linebacker Kristian Welch from their active roster.

While the Broncos have a greater need along an offensive line than also recently saw center Luke Wattenberg placed on IR, Browning’s return stands to be interesting for a defense that has been one of the NFL’s most surprising units this season. Denver ranks fourth in scoring defense and yards allowed. Browning, who joins ex-Ohio State teammate Jonathon Cooper in a contract year, served as a starter in both games he played this season. Third-year player Nik Bonitto has taken over in that role; the replacement has four sacks in six games. Browning, who tallied 4.5 last season, did not register a sack before going down this year. Rookie third-rounder Jonah Elliss has operated as Denver’s top rotational rusher.

McGlinchey, 30, missed just one game for the Broncos last season and did not miss any time for the 49ers in 2022. The former top-10 San Francisco draftee missed nine games during the 2021 season due to a torn quad but rebounded to boost his market, leading to a five-year, $87.5MM Broncos agreement. McGlinchey’s 2025 salary became fully guaranteed in March, and the Broncos appear to be close to having him back at full strength.

Palczewski had played well in relief of McGlinchey, but the ankle injury he suffered in Week 5 clears a path for the starter to return. With the Broncos having a 10-day break before their Week 8 matchup, the team has some time to decide on Browning and McGlinchey. The Broncos have six injury activations remaining.

Broncos Place OLB Baron Browning On IR

September 21st, 2024 at 8:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

On Friday, Broncos head coach Sean Payton acknowledged Baron Browning could find himself on injured reserve. The fourth-year edge rusher has indeed now been moved to IR.

As a result, Browning will be sidelined for at least the next four games. A foot injury kept the former third-rounder out of practice all week, and today’s move confirms an extended recovery process will be needed. His absence will leave Denver without a starter along the edge as the team looks to rebound from its 0-2 start.

Browning posted five sacks in 2022, his first season after transitioning from inside to outside linebacker. The Ohio State product was limited to 10 games last year, but his 4.5 sacks during that span showed his potential as a key figure in the Broncos’ edge rush setup. 2024 was set to be an important campaign for team and player, and as a pending free agent Browning will look to get back on the field as soon as possible.

In the meantime, 2021 seventh-rounder Jonathon Cooper, 2022 second-round selection Nik Bonitto and third-round rookie Jonah Elliss will be counted on for the Broncos along the edge. Bringing Browning back into the fold will use up one of the seven IR activations Denver has available. The 25-year-old’s rehab will be worth monitoring over the coming weeks.

To fill his roster spot, wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey was promoted from the practice squad. One of several former Saints who made his way to the Mile High City to reunite with Payton, Humphrey bounced on and off the Broncos’ active roster last season. He was a gameday elevation for each of the first two weeks of the year, and the 26-year-old has logged a notable 52% snap share so far. It comes as no surprise he is now in position to handle a more permanent role on the roster.

Denver elevated running back Tyler Badie along with defensive back Tanner McCalister for tomorrow’s contest. Both could handle depth roles as the Broncos look to take a needed step forward on both sides of the ball in Week 3. Browning will not be in the picture for the foreseeable future, though.

IR Possible For Broncos OLB Baron Browning

September 20th, 2024 at 4:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

A foot injury will keep Baron Browning out for Week 3. The fourth-year Broncos edge rusher could be sidelined for an extended period, however.

Head coach Sean Payton replied “we’ll see” when asked if Browning could land on injured reserve (h/t Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). Placing him on IR would guarantee at least a four-game absence and leave the team without a key defender. Browning has started each of the Broncos’ games in 2024, having done so 26 times during his previous three seasons.

Injuries have been an issue for the 25-year-old during his NFL tenure. Browning was limited to 14 games during each of his first two campaigns, and a meniscus injury left him unavailable for the start of the 2023 season. When healthy, he has been a key contributor by logging a snap share of at least 60% every year from 2021-23. A switch from inside to outside linebacker was followed by numerous veteran departures along the edge, paving the way for Browning to handle a regular pass-rushing role.

The Ohio State product notched five sacks in 2022, and he followed that up with 4.5 in only 10 games last year. That production led to high expectations ahead of this season, but Browning was held to just five tackles and no pressures prior to suffering his latest injury. As a pending free agent, an extended stay on the mend would hinder his market value in addition to leaving Denver without a starter in the front seven.

With Browning on the sidelines for at least Sunday’s game, the Broncos will rely on Jonathan Cooper, Nik Bonitto and third-round rookie Jonah Elliss along the edge. The team dedicated one of its eight IR activations before the regular season started in the case of cornerback Damarri Mathis. Doing the same may soon be necessary as it pertains to Browning.

Broncos To Activate OLB Baron Browning From PUP List

October 21st, 2023 at 3:11pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Broncos’ altered edge rush group will welcome back a key member as early as tomorrow. Baron Browning is set to be activated from the reserve/PUP list, reports ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Denver began the season with veterans Randy Gregory and Frank Clark as notable members of their pass-rush contingent. However, the former has been traded to the 49ers, while the latter was released after no interested teams could be found in a pick swap. Those moves cleared a path to increased playing time for the team’s younger contributors, a group which includes Browning.

The 24-year-old figures to take on snaps alongside Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, who have combined to post 9.5 of the Broncos’ 14 sacks this season. Drafted as an inside linebacker, Browning was shifted to the outside last season and he showed considerable promise after the move. The Ohio State alum was limited to 58 tackles and one quarterback hit as a rookie, but the transition to an OLB alignment the following season resulted in five sacks, 12 QB hits and 18 pressures.

Browning suffered a meniscus injury this offseason, something which required surgery back in June. As a result of the procedure, he was moved to the reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns, a designation which guaranteed at least a four-week absence. A recent report indicated Week 7 was the likely point at which he would make his debut, though, so today’s news comes as little surprise.

The Broncos’ defense has been the league’s worst in a number of categories this season, contributing in large part to the team’s 1-5 record. Denver is thus well-positioned to be in the sellers category in advance of the October 31 trade deadline, though offensive contributors appear likelier to be on the move compared to defensive ones. In any event, Browning’s return will be welcomed given the promise he showed in his first campaign as an edge rusher, along with the depth it gives the team with respect to healthy OLB options.

Broncos To Release OLB Frank Clark

October 13th, 2023 at 8:40am CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 13: Unlike the Gregory last call, no trade partner emerged here. The Broncos are officially releasing Clark on Friday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. With the trade deadline still nearly three weeks away, Clark’s vested-veteran status will send him straight to free agency. Inactive for Thursday night’s game, the ninth-year veteran closes his Denver tenure with 36 defensive snaps.

OCTOBER 12: The Broncos opened the season with two 2015 second-rounders residing as their highest-profile edge rushers. By Week 7, both are likely to be out of the picture. After the Broncos dealt Randy Gregory to the 49ers, they are eyeing a separation from Frank Clark.

Rumored to be a trade candidate, Clark will not face the Chiefs tonight due to what the Broncos’ injury report classifies as an illness. The Broncos, however, are preparing to move on from Clark — via trade or release — in the near future, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports.

Clark, 30, restructured his one-year, $5MM contract recently, per Yates, giving up $1.69MM in guaranteed salary. The move trims Clark’s $3.5MM base salary to the prorated veteran minimum ($841K), NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds. This restructure will make Clark’s contract easier to move. Clark returned to action last week against the Jets, coming back after sustaining a groin injury in practice. Holding him out of tonight’s game will protect against a reinjury.

The former Seahawks and Chiefs edge rusher has generated some trade interest, and after the Gregory move, had been viewed as available. While Clark notched two double-digit sack seasons in Seattle and made memorable contributions during Kansas City’s playoff runs, he does not have a sack or a QB hit in his limited Denver run.

Although Clark will become an interesting hired gun of sorts moving forward, he spent several weeks in free agency waiting for other edge dominoes to fall. Leonard Floyd‘s one-year, $7MM Bills pact led to the Broncos giving Clark a one-year, $5MM deal shortly after they made Brandon McManus a post-June 1 cut. On that note, the Broncos should not expect too much in trade compensation here. Though, reducing Clark’s salary to the minimum will certainly help on that front. Denver collected a 2024 sixth-rounder from San Francisco for Gregory, whom the team was prepared to cut.

After calling out Gregory for poor effort in a 70-20 demolition at the Dolphins’ hands in Week 3, the Broncos benched him and moved 2022 second-round pick Nik Bonitto into the lineup. Bonitto is on a tear as a starter, combining for 4.5 sacks over the past two games. The Broncos have used 2021 seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper (three sacks) as a starter since Week 1, with Clark coming off the bench in the team’s opener. Baron Browning, a 2021 third-rounder whom the team converted from inside linebacker last year, remains on the reserve/PUP list and will not play tonight. But Browning is likely on track to debut in Week 7, Denver7’s Troy Renck adds.

Deteriorating fits notwithstanding, a suddenly woeful Broncos defense could probably use Gregory and Clark — at least while Browning is out. These separations signal more moves are likely coming for a 1-4 team. While Sean Payton stopped short of saying the Broncos were shopping veterans, other clubs believe they are open for business ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline. Trade-rumor mainstays Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are likely returning to the news cycle, with Renck adding Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson are two other names to monitor.

Clark sits behind only Willie McGinest and Bruce Smith in postseason sacks, with 13.5, but he did not live up to the five-year, $104MM deal the Chiefs gave him following a 2019 tag-and-trade transaction. Clark topped out at eight sacks in a season and has not tallied more than six in a single campaign since 2019. Two arrests on gun charges in 2021 led to a two-game suspension last year, and the Chiefs cut him this offseason. Still, Clark figures to land in a contending team’s pass-rushing rotation soon.

The Broncos picked up the pieces after John Elway‘s 1999 retirement far more quickly than they have post-Peyton Manning, and the years since the latter’s 2016 exit led to Denver becoming this period’s most prolific deadline seller. After dealing Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb over the past five years, it appears the Broncos will keep going as Payton attempts to build for the future. Jeudy and Simmons are signed through 2024, with Jeudy’s fifth-year option ($12.99MM) fully guaranteed. Sutton’s four-year, $60MM deal runs through 2025; Jackson is on a one-year contract.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/23

October 4th, 2023 at 8:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Signed to active roster: TE Rodney Williams

Tennessee Titans

Mitchell could be a key piece back for Baltimore in the offensive backfield. After the season loss of running back J.K Dobbins, the Ravens have been operating with a committee that includes Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, Melvin Gordon, and Kenyan Drake. While just an undrafted rookie, Mitchell could immediately relieve the need for the use of Gordon or Drake off the practice squad. The East Carolina product flashed serious potential in the preseason and led the FBS last year with 54 runs of 10 or more yards.

Denver will certainly be hoping to add Browning back to its ailing defense soon. Especially with Randy Gregory finding himself off the roster today, Browning’s pass-rushing ability could be just what the team needs to get its defense back on track.

Broncos Place Baron Browning On Reserve/PUP List, Trim Roster To 53

August 29th, 2023 at 10:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos will join other teams in using short-term IR to create roster spots for veterans they cut Tuesday. The team also needed to use its reserve/PUP list. Here is how Denver moved down to the 53-man limit:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • OLB Chris Allen

Placed on reserve/PUP list:

Browning suffered a meniscus injury this offseason and underwent surgery in June. This obviously deals a blow to Browning’s development, seeing as the converted off-ball linebacker has yet to play a full season at his second NFL position, and Denver’s edge depth. Randy Gregory and Frank Clark lead the way at the position; both are going into their age-30 seasons. The Broncos have seen Gregory, Von Miller and Bradley Chubb miss substantial time in recent years. They will hope Browning, who showed promise opposite Chubb at points last year, can return when eligible.

The Broncos did not place Jerry Jeudy on IR, keeping their No. 1 receiver available once his hamstring heals. This points to the team viewing Jeudy as likely to come back during the season’s first four weeks. Jeudy suffered a hamstring injury late last week; the malady is expected to sideline him for “several weeks.” The team is expected to re-sign Humphrey once it reorganizes its roster, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.

Although Purcell joined Humphrey as a cut, Klis adds the veteran nose tackle is set to come back. Ditto Moreau, as K’Waun Williams is set to head to IR — a designation that will cost the veteran slot cornerback at least four games — upon undergoing ankle surgery. The Broncos kept UDFAs Elijah Garcia, a defensive lineman, and Jaleel McLaughlin, a running back, after strong preseason outings. McLaughlin is the NCAA all-levels rushing kingpin, having amassed 8,161 yards while at Notre Dame College and Youngstown State — Division II and Division I-FCS programs, respectively, in Ohio. He will be the team’s third-string running back — behind Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine.

Broncos RB Javonte Williams Avoids PUP To Start Camp

July 27th, 2023 at 12:56pm CST by Ely Allen

JULY 27: Williams confirmed (via 9News’ Mike Klis) Thursday he has been cleared for contact work. The North Carolina alum said he was told his recovery timetable could last around a year. Instead, he has been cleared before the 10-month mark. Sean Payton said the team will proceed cautiously with Williams, who has two years remaining on his rookie contract.

JULY 23: The Broncos delivered some good news as they announced some injury list placements today, leaving third-year running back Javonte Williams off of any lists as he continues to work his way back from last year’s season-ending injury. While there’s still work to be done, Williams’s continued participation in this offseason points to a Week 1 return for Denver’s lead back.

Williams suffered a blow to his sophomore season when he suffered a torn ACL after only four weeks of play last year, ending his season. The initial diagnosis was dire enough, but further reports detailed that Williams had also torn his LCL and posterior lateral corner, making his road to recovery a bit longer.

As Denver entered into the offseason, the goal became clear: get Williams back in time for training camp. Things were looking positive as Williams was on the field for spring activities. He only worked out in a limited capacity, but getting Williams on the field at all that early was a big step. Earlier this month, Williams expressed much of the same optimism that his team had been expressing publicly, believing himself that he’d be able to make a return by training camp. His absence from any designated injury lists today is yet another good sign of where he’s at in his recovery.

Williams injury had originally occurred during a season in which he was expected to take on much more work after splitting carries with Melvin Gordon as a rookie. When he returns this season, though, there won’t be too big of an expectation to work as a bell-cow in the Broncos offense. New head coach Sean Payton is certainly familiar with two-headed rushing attacks dating back to the Pierre Thomas–Reggie Bush duo and the Alvin Kamara–Mark Ingram combinations in New Orleans. While Gordon is now in Baltimore and Mike Boone found his way to Houston, Denver plans to pair Williams with former Bengals rusher Samaje Perine, who signed with the team in March. Perine has a history of being a strong RB2 over his career, which should take a bit of the pressure off of Williams’s shoulders.

While Williams’s absence from any lists is the main news, the Broncos did move four players from the active roster, according to Broncos lead writer Aric DiLalla. Outside linebacker Baron Browning and wide receiver Kendall Hinton were placed on the physically unable to perform list, while wide receiver K.J. Hamler and nose tackle Mike Purcell were placed on the non-football injury list.

Browning underwent knee surgery in June, but he hasn’t yet been ruled out from returning in time for the regular season. Hinton also went through a knee procedure, so his placement on the list is no surprise. Hamler was expected to be ready in time for training camp as he works his way back from a pectoral tear, but Denver will have to wait a little longer.

Broncos OLB Baron Browning Undergoes Knee Surgery

June 13th, 2023 at 2:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

JUNE 13: Browning’s offseason injury did affect the Broncos’ decision to add Clark, Sean Payton said Tuesday. Browning will begin training camp on the active/PUP list, Troy Renck of Denver7 tweets. This is a camp-only distinction; the Broncos can move Browning off this PUP list prior to setting their 53-man roster.

JUNE 8: Although the Broncos are adding Frank Clark to their pass-rushing group, they might be without another member of that contingent for part of training camp. Baron Browning is recovering from arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscus injury, Mike Klis of 9News reports.

Browning suffered a partially torn meniscus, per Klis, who adds the third-year defender is expected to be back at some point during camp. Browning has not practiced during the media-attended portion of Broncos OTAs.

Moved from inside to outside linebacker ahead of his second season, the former third-round pick flashed at points upon replacing an injured Randy Gregory last season. Browning totaled 1.5 sacks, six QB hits and a fumble recovery during an October loss to the Colts — Denver’s first game without Gregory — and finished his season with five sacks. Browning’s injury is not related to anything from last season, with Klis noting it is believed to have come from training independently this offseason.

This knee issue comes after Gregory missed much of last season because of knee trouble. Gregory sustained his knee injury in early October, returned for two December games and did not play in Denver’s final two contests. Browning only missed three games due to hip and back maladies; two of those absences came after the team dealt Bradley Chubb to the Dolphins at the trade deadline. The player brought in to help the depleted unit at the deadline — Jacob Martin — finished last season on IR. The Broncos released Martin last month.

Browning is expected to be a key piece in Vance Joseph‘s defense this season. The Ohio State alum became the rare inside linebacker to become a quick starter on the edge, doing so after starting nine games inside in 2021. As they turned to Alex Singleton alongside Josey Jewell at that position last year, the Broncos shifted Browning to the outside in their 3-4 scheme. While Browning’s move to outside ‘backer occurred over a year ago, he will not be able to begin onsite training in Joseph’s system for a bit.

It will be interesting to what role Joseph and Sean Payton have in mind for the former five-star recruit now that Clark is in the fold. The Broncos also have 2022 second-rounder Nik Bonitto and ex-Browning Buckeyes teammate Jonathon Cooper in their OLB mix.

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