The Denver Broncos are gearing up for a huge showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football, and they’re making some last-minute adjustments to their roster. With several key players ruled out due to injury, including linebacker Dre Greenlaw and tight end Nate Adkins, the Broncos are promoting Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to their active roster.
Lewis is essentially taking the place of a running back in this move, which is interesting considering the Broncos have been dealing with some injuries at that position as well. They’ve also ruled out center Luke Wattenberg and wide receiver Pat Bryant, so it’s clear that they’re a bit banged up heading into this game.
The addition of Lewis and Throckmorton is a smart move, though. Lewis has played four games for the Broncos this year and has logged 25% of their offensive snaps in those appearances, so he’s clearly a trusted veteran who can make an impact. Throckmorton, on the other hand, has appeared in nine games for the Broncos this season and has played 15% of their special teams snaps. He’s a solid depth piece who can help fill the void left by Wattenberg’s injury.
The Broncos also made some other roster moves, including waiving running back Cody Schrader. Schrader was a former undrafted free agent who added some size to the backfield, but he didn’t see much action and was ultimately deemed expendable. The Broncos are hoping to get starter J.K. Dobbins back from injury soon, and in the meantime, they’re relying on rookie RJ Harvey and some smaller options to carry the load.
Despite the injuries, the Broncos are still a formidable opponent, and they’ll be looking to take down a Chiefs team that’s also dealing with some injuries. The Chiefs have a lot of talent on their roster, but the Broncos have a great coach in Sean Payton who always seems to get the most out of his players. This one should be a great game, and I’m excited to see how it all plays out.
It’s worth noting that the Broncos are also elevating linebacker Levelle Bailey and wide receiver Michael Bandy to their active roster, which should give them some extra depth and options on both sides of the ball. Bailey has appeared in one game this season and played 10 special teams snaps, while Bandy has caught two passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in three games. They may not be household names, but they could make an impact in this game.
Overall, the Broncos are making some smart moves to try and stay competitive in this game, and I think they’ve got a good shot at taking down the Chiefs. It’s going to be a tough one, but I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.
