LOS ANGELES – Welcome to the NFL, Greg Dulcich.
The rookie tight end made his debut for the Broncos on Monday night and wasted little time making his presence felt.
Dulcich, who started the season on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, entered the game on Denver’s second drive, and promptly converted a third down with a 5-yard catch. Then he hauled in a 39-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson when left wide open to make for a memorable debut and homecoming.
Dulcich, a Glendale, Calif., native and former UCLA standout, played his first professional game about 20 miles from where he grew up.
His return from injury also led the Broncos to scratch Albert Okwuegbunam from the gameday roster. The tight end has struggled to find a role in the Broncos offense all season and watched his playing time dwindle over the first month to the point where he played just one snap against Las Vegas in Week 4 before seeing a bit more action against Indianapolis in Week 5.
It’s a situation to watch as the season progresses and the Nov. 1 trade deadline draws near.
The rest of Denver’s inactive list: Linebacker Josey Jewell (knee), safety Caden Sterns (chest), rookie wide receiver Jalen Virgil, cornerback Darrius Phillips, rookie defensive back Delarrin Turner-Yell and rookie defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike.
Simmons, others return
Denver on Monday activated safety Justin Simmons and cornerback Michael Ojemudia in addition to Dulcich. The team also elevated long snapper Mitchell Fraboni and veteran safety Anthony Harris from the practice squad for the game.
Simmons, the two-time second-team All-Pro, hurt his quad against Seattle and had not played since. His replacement, Caden Sterns, performed well in the interim but didn’t play against Los Angeles due to a hip injury.
Mathis starts
Rookie cornerback Damarri Mathis made his first career start in the wake of Ronald Darby’s season-ending injury against Indianapolis. Mathis, the 6-foot corner out of Pitt, replaced Darby when he went out and also stepped in for Pat Surtain II earlier in the season when Surtain missed part of a game with a shoulder injury.
Mathis was penalized for pass interference three times for a total of 77 yards in the first half.
Meinerz returns
Right guard Quinn Meinerz returned to the starting lineup after missing four games with a hamstring injury.
Calvin Anderson started at left tackle for the first time this season. He filled in the final 13 snaps against Indianapolis after Garret Bolles was lost to a season-ending leg injury.
Denver’s starting offensive line left to right: Anderson, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, Meinerz and Fleming.
However, late in the first half Billy Turner entered at right tackle, Fleming slid to left and Anderson exited the game.
