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Tyler Badie

AFC West Notes: Broncos, Adams, Perryman

August 14th, 2025 at 6:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

Nik Bonitto played in the Broncos‘ preseason opener but will miss some time leading up to the season. The 2024 All-Pro selection is down because of a procedure to have a bone spur removed in the top of his foot, per 9News’ Mike Klis. Sean Payton expects Bonitto to be ready to return by next week, though it can be safely assumed the edge rusher’s preseason is over. The Broncos also have an extension to sort out with Bonitto, who is entering a contract year. Denver has reached agreements with Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen during training camp, and a few Bonitto contract rumors have circulated this offseason.

This injury rehab stretch could give Bonitto’s camp time to hammer out a deal before the team’s top sack artist returns to practice, though the prospect of a Micah Parsons Cowboys extension raising the market’s ceiling — and thus the kind of deal Bonitto could command south of Parsons’ price point — could factor into the proceedings here.

Here is the latest from the AFC West:

  • Another injury development coming out of Denver is not as kind. Fullback/tight end Nate Adkins will miss regular-season time due to a tightrope procedure to address a high ankle sprain, Payton said. Adkins could be a candidate for one of the Broncos’ two allotted August IR-return slots. Teams must announce the players for those spots by roster-cutdown day August 26. Those moves count toward teams’ eight injury activations — whether the player is eventually activated or not — in-season. Adkins played a healthy amount of snaps last season, logging 420 during a 10-start season. He caught 14 passes for 115 yards and three TDs last season, his second with the Broncos.
  • The Broncos might need to consider a fourth active-roster RB due to J.K. Dobbins‘ injury history; their early hierarchy may exclude a 2024 draft pick. Audric Estime did not enter the team’s preseason opener until the third quarter, as his entrance came after Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie saw action. The Broncos also have Blake Watson as a candidate, and the 2024 UDFA entered the game in the second half as well. Estime is firmly on the roster bubble, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes. It would not surprise if the team aimed to trade one of its options before cutdown day later this month, but ensuring two of these players are rostered behind Dobbins and R.J. Harvey would make sense as well.
  • Jamal Adams is vying for a Raiders roster spot and doing so, technically, at a new position. Adams is giving linebacker another try, confirming (via the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore) Pete Carroll told him immediately he would be working there. The Seahawks had asked Adams to play linebacker before, but he declined at the time. The 2024 Seattle cap casualty played sparingly as a backup with the Titans and Lions, representing a steep fall from formerly signing a safety-record extension. Adams’ best work has always come in the box or as a safety blitzer, making a linebacker transition more natural. On a one-year, $1.26MM contract with no guarantees, the ninth-year vet is also not exactly in a position to refuse such a request.
  • The gun charges against linebacker Denzel Perryman has been dropped, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes. Perryman was arrested on felony weapons charges during a traffic stop earlier this month. Five firearms, including two assault-style rifles, were found in the Chargers defender’s vehicle. He was initially held without bail, but ESPN.com’s Kris Rhim notes Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman declined to file charges. Perryman is on a one-year, $2.66MM deal to continue a second Chargers stint.

Broncos Rumors: Sutton, RBs, Henningsen

August 8th, 2025 at 1:56pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos resolved two contract matters recently, extending Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen. While the All-Pro defensive lineman landed a deal that ranks him third at his position in terms of per-year value, the steady wide receiver accepted a lesser pact.

Sutton’s four-year, $92MM extension places him 18th among wideouts in AAV. That $23MM number slides alongside Calvin Ridley‘s free agency deal and just behind Michael Pittman Jr.‘s 2024 terms. The contract includes $41MM in total guarantees. All but $1MM of the latter figure checks in guaranteed at signing. The additional $1MM covers an injury guarantee in 2027, 9News’ Mike Klis notes.

[RELATED: Sutton Left Money On Table During Extension Talks]

That $1MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2027 league year, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio adds. The Broncos used option bonuses to keep Sutton’s cap hits low. Both his 2025 and ’26 cap figures check in south of $14MM. In 2027, that number spikes to $28.48MM, per OverTheCap. The Broncos would be hit with $15.85MM in dead money if they released Sutton in 2027. In 2028, that number lowers to a more manageable $9.78MM. Still, the contract’s guarantees — for the most part — will pay out by the 2026 season.

No rolling guarantee structure is present, giving the Broncos flexibility with a receiver who will turn 30 in October. Sutton has been Denver’s top wideout over the past two seasons, meshing better in Sean Payton‘s system compared to Jerry Jeudy. With questions covering the rest of the Broncos’ WR corps, Sutton will again be positioned as Bo Nix‘s top target this season.

While Denver did not add a surefire starter to accompany Sutton at receiver this offseason, the team overhauled its backfield by using a second-round pick on R.J. Harvey and signing J.K. Dobbins to likely work as a short-term starter. This Mark Ingram–Alvin Kamara-like setup — that appears the goal here, at least — leaves incumbents vying for jobs. Former UDFA Jaleel McLaughlin has appeared the favorite to land the RB3 role as a change-of-pace option, but he may not be a roster lock just yet.

The Broncos used Tyler Badie in key portions of their joint practice with the 49ers, per Klis, who points to the Missouri alum being ahead of 2024 fifth-round pick Audric Estime. Although Badie played in front of McLaughlin in the joint workout, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel lists the third-year player as the most consistent option for the RB3 role leading up to the Broncos’ preseason opener.

McLaughlin has been steady as a change-of-pace option, as the NCAA all-divisions rushing leader has 570- and 572-yard seasons (from scrimmage) during his first two years. A 2022 sixth-round Ravens draftee, Badie has only taken 12 career handoffs. A back injury shelved Badie for much of last season, but the Broncos both saved an IR activation for him and deemed Estime a healthy scratch in their wild-card game. Estime fumbled twice last season but was the team’s third-leading RB rusher (Nix was third on the team) with 310 yards. Three years remain on his rookie deal, but the Broncos would barely take on $250K by cutting the big back.

Shifting to defense, a key backup on Denver’s D-line from 2022-23 — Matt Henningsen — may lose a full season due to injury. The Broncos fear Henningsen suffered an Achilles tear during their joint practice with the 49ers, Klis reports. The injury occurred during a one-on-one drill.

Although the former sixth-round pick has never started a game, he was a key backup from 2022-23 — before spending last year mostly on the practice squad. The Broncos have a fairly clear top five up front — Allen, D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, Malcolm Roach, third-round rookie Sai’Vion Jones — and Gabriel pegs Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike as vying for a roster spot. Uwazurike is best known for his involvement in an Iowa State gambling investigation, leading to a full-season 2023 ban, while Jackson is a former Saints sixth-rounder who played 17 Broncos games last year.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/11/25

January 11th, 2025 at 8:19pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor transactions and more standard gameday practice squad elevations for the wild-card round of the playoffs:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

As a member of the practice squad this year, Clifford, the second-year passer out of Penn State, was elevated twice. As a member of the active roster, he will be able to serve as Green Bay’s emergency third quarterback, which could be beneficial after starter Jordan Love was knocked out of the team’s Week 18 loss with an elbow injury on his throwing arm, and his backup, Malik Willis, was dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand. Both players had two full practices this week and carry no injury designation, but the team will be taking no chances.

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/24/24

December 24th, 2024 at 6:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tuesday’s minor NFL moves, including elevations for tomorrow’s Christmas Day doubleheader:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Denver Broncos

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles 

San Francisco 49ers

The Cardinals – who were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday – will close out the season without either of their starting tackles. Both Johnson and Williams are dealing with knee injuries, and they will be shut down for the remainder of the campaign. The former was a full-time starter as a rookie last year and made 14 appearances in 2024 upon switching to the blindside. Williams signed a one-year deal in free agency to handle RT duties, but two separate knee ailments will limit him to six games played this year. The 27-year-old’s free agent stock will take a hit as a result.

Wallace has made 13 appearances in 2024, his first season with the Broncos. The veteran has handled part-time defensive duties along the way, while also chipping in on special teams. As Denver returns to health at the CB spot, though, Wallace will hit the waiver wire. Should he clear, head coach Sean Payton said the Broncos would like to re-sign him via a practice squad deal (h/t Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette).

Fashanu exited the Jets’ Week 16 contest on crutches, and it was recently reported he would miss the rest of the season as a result. Today’s move thus comes as no surprise. Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said on Tuesday surgery to repair the first-round rookie’s plantar fascia would be needed, but the team has since clarified a procedure will not take place. Fashanu is expected to recover in full through rehab.

Broncos’ Tyler Badie Has Full Movement In Arms, Legs; RB Placed On IR

October 5th, 2024 at 3:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 5: To little surprise, 9News’ Mike Klis reports Badie has been placed on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next four games as a result, but a return later in the year is still possible. Estime is eligible to be activated from IR as early as next week, and his return would help compensate for Badie’s absence.

SEPTEMBER 30: A scary scene transpired Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Broncos running back Tyler Badie suffered a back injury that seemed to worsen after he limped to the sideline following a first-half fumble. Badie needed to be stretchered off the field.

Good news has emerged a day later. The third-year back did suffer a significant back injury, but NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport relays he has full movement in his arms and legs. Badie had flown back to Denver on a commercial flight Sunday night, KOA’s Brandon Krisztal tweets.

Badie is an IR candidate, per Rapoport, but he is not certain to miss the rest of the season. Signed from the practice squad after a promising outing against the Buccaneers, the Missouri alum is likely out of the mix for the time being. His return later this season would stand to depend on his readiness and the Broncos’ IR situation.

Denver turned to Badie in what became a three-man rotation with Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. The former Denver practice squad back, however, fumbled on his third touch of the game — a short reception. Badie was able to walk off the field but did so with a limp. Minutes later, he was motionless on the Broncos sideline. This led to the game stopping as the former sixth-round pick was transported out of the stadium for more medical attention.

Badie had led the Broncos in rushing in their Week 3 win over the Bucs, totaling 70 yards on nine carries. With the team cutting Samaje Perine and placing rookie Audric Estime on IR, Badie assumed the RB3 role behind the team’s regulars. With Williams struggling over the team’s first three games, a role appeared to be opening up for a player who did not see any action in 2023. But Badie’s unfortunate setback Sunday will leave the Broncos shorthanded once again.

While Williams showed improvement against the Jets, the Broncos will be in need of another back to work behind he and McLaughlin. The most obvious candidate will be rookie UDFA Blake Watson, a dual-threat player out of Memphis and Old Dominion. Watson made the Broncos’ 53-man roster, most likely as the team feared he would not clear waivers, but has not been active for a game yet.

Broncos To Sign LB Zach Cunningham, Move RB Tyler Badie To Active Roster

September 25th, 2024 at 1:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although the Broncos prevailed in Tampa and have displayed far superior defensive form compared to the early weeks in Vance Joseph‘s DC tenure, they continue to add veteran linebacker pieces. After signing Kwon Alexander, Denver is bringing in Zach Cunningham.

There are no Saints ties with Cunningham, whom 9News’ Mike Klis notes is joining the Broncos’ practice squad, but he also carries extensive experience as a second-level defensive piece. Cunningham, 29, spent last season with the Eagles after a career in the AFC South (Texans, Titans).

[RELATED: LB Alex Singleton Suffers ACL Tear]

This turned out to be an emergency hire, as the team will be tasked with playing without its top tackler (Singleton) after the $6MM-per-year player suffered a season-ending injury. Cunningham and Alexander, 30, will be vying for time — potentially soon — for a Broncos team that lost Josey Jewell in free agency. As a result, depth is thin for this group. Cody Barton is the only proven ILB left on Denver’s active roster; that may change soon.

A full-time starter for the Texans, Cunningham signed a lucrative extension in 2019. He fell out of favor during the Texans’ early-2020s dark ages, despite leading the NFL in tackles in 2020 (with 164), becoming a healthy scratch during David Culley‘s season in charge. The Titans claimed Cunningham and turned to him as a starter during a season that ended with Tennessee securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The former second-round pick battled injuries in Tennessee, starting four games to close out the 2021 season but going on IR twice in 2022. As GM Ran Carthon took over in 2023, he made Cunningham one of his many cap-casualty moves.

Last season, the Eagles used Cunningham as a 10-game starter after signing him midway through training camp. He played in 13 contests and logged every defensive snap in the team’s wild-card game, one that punctuated a season that featured a collapse. Despite the Eagles cratering, Pro Football Focus viewed Cunningham as an above-average player and graded him well in coverage. The Eagles did not bring back Cunningham, and the eight-year vet — he of 85 tackles and four pass breakups in 2023 — did not attend a training camp. As such, it would not surprise to see the Broncos hold off on an immediate promotion.

Denver is also making an interesting move at running back. After Tyler Badie showed some promise to help a struggling rushing attack against the Buccaneers, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson adds the team is signing the young RB to its 53-man roster. Badie joins Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie UDFA Blake Watson on Denver’s active roster.

A Missouri alum the Ravens chose in the 2022 sixth round, Badie has been with the Broncos since late in the at ’22 season. He did not play last season, being stationed behind Williams, McLaughlin and Samaje Perine, but delivered his best NFL work last week. Badie, who followed Montee Ball in informing the masses of a pronunciation change as he transitioned to a Broncos RB role, gained 70 yards on nine carries and helped the Broncos close out the Buccaneers. With Williams struggling, Badie now looms as a direct threat to the contract-year starter’s playing time.

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.

Minor NFL Transactions: 9/14/24

September 14th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor transactions and gameday practice squad callups:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Patrick was among the Broncos’ final roster cuts after a Saints trade was discussed. The 30-year-old missed the 2022 and ’23 campaigns due to ACL and Achilles tears, respectively. Patrick did not need to wait long to find a new opportunity, though, quickly landing a practice squad deal with the Lions. He is now positioned make his season debut tomorrow as a complementary option in Detroit’s passing attack.

Olszewski is dealing with a groin injury and he was known to be facing a long-term absence. Today’s move thus comes as no surprise, but it ensures at least a four-week absence. The former All-Pro scored a punt return touchdown with Pittsburgh early last season and added another during his 10-game Giants stretch to close out the year. The team will need to rely on other options in the return game for the time being.

Wednesday NFL Transactions: AFC West

August 28th, 2024 at 2:34pm 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:

Claimed:

Signed to practice squad:

Kansas City Chiefs

Signed:

Claimed:

  • CB Eric Scott Jr.

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Las Vegas Raiders

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Placed on IR: 

Signed to practice squad:

Los Angeles Chargers

Signed:

Claimed:

Waived:

Signed to practice squad:

Broncos Release Tim Patrick, Samaje Perine To Trim Roster To 53

August 27th, 2024 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teams have moved their rosters to 53 players. Here is how the Broncos pared theirs down to the regular-season limit:

Released:

Waived:

Waived/injured:

  • OLB Durell Nchami

Placed on reserve/PUP:

IR/designated for return:

Patrick and Perine trades did not come to fruition. Both veterans are heading to free agency. Patrick had been with the Broncos since joining their practice squad in 2017; only Garett Bolles has been on the team longer. But Denver has added several wide receivers under Sean Payton‘s watch. Patrick, a John Elway-era pickup who signed an extension under GM George Paton, became expendable for the younger talent. The 30-year-old wideout has recovered from the ACL and Achilles tears that prevented him from playing a down with Russell Wilson. Humphrey may well be a practice squad option, given his New Orleans past with Payton.

Perine, 28, has been connected to a Bengals return. The veteran backup/pass-down option can now sign anywhere he chooses. Perine set a career high in receiving yardage (455) during his one-and-done Broncos run; Denver’s dead money charge ($1.5MM) will likely be offset if/once Perine lands elsewhere.

Sanders sustained an Achilles tear this offseason. The 2023 third-round pick figures to be in the team’s plans for later this season, but he will miss time — at least four games, per the PUP designation — on his rehab trek. Mathis must also miss four games, having suffered a high ankle sprain. The third-year cornerback is slated to return at some point, and the Broncos are using an IR-return designation, dropping their number from eight to seven to start the season.

Burton was viewed as a safe bet to make the team, and while roster gymnastics — which are less useful now that this IR-return tweak is in the mix — could bring him back, he received word of a release. Burton is a nine-year vet who spent last season with the Broncos. Mustipher signed this offseason but was not viewed as a true contender for the center spot, which appears set to go to 2022 fifth-round pick Luke Wattenberg.

Many of these players figure to be brought back to Denver’s practice squad, which can be set beginning Wednesday. Sixteen players will fill out that unit.

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