The Broncos’ quartet of impact free-agent signings combined to play all of 31 games in 2024.
A few games into 2025, the health of two of those veteran additions continues to be a serious question.
Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw again didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers. It was a step back from Friday’s return to action at practice, as Greenlaw seemed to be making progress in his rehab from a quad injury.
Head coach Sean Payton said reporters would see Greenlaw “sooner than later” on Sept. 8 after Week 1, but Greenlaw has yet to be a full go in practice since training camp. The Broncos haven’t put the ILB on injured reserve, but will end up having wasted a roster spot if Greenlaw remains out through Week 4’s matchup with the Bengals.
“We felt like, he’s kinda on our schedule,” Payton responded when asked Wednesday about Greenlaw’s timeline without an IR designation. “And look — we spent time on it, because itap a little nebulous relative to the injury. And thatap all I’ll say.”
To make matters more complicated, Greenlaw’s replacement Justin Strnad was also out for Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury. In the worst-case scenario, if both Greenlaw and Strnad can’t go against the Chargers, that’d leave Denver with five other linebacker options on its extended roster: starting linebacker Alex Singleton (dealing with a broken thumb in his own right), rookie Karene Reid, and practice-squad ‘backers Levelle Bailey, Garret Wallow and Jordan Turner.
Meanwhile, tight end Evan Engram was completely absent from the viewing period of practice Wednesday, as his usage has fluctuated through the first couple of games of the season.
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Engram sustained a calf injury in the second half of the Broncos' season opener against the Titans on Sept. 6, but told The Denver Post in the locker room in Indianapolis this weekend that he felt "good" after rehabbing his calf. That much was true. He's now dealing with a back injury, though, according to Denver's Wednesday injury report — a possible explanation for decreased playing time against the Colts, as Engram played just 42% of Denver's offensive snaps against Indianapolis.
The Broncos have managed well enough offensively through two games despite infrequent contributions from Engram (four catches for 33 yards). The offense currently sits ninth in the NFL in points per game. The Chargers' secondary, though, will present all kinds of challenges for second-year quarterback Bo Nix.
Los Angeles just swarmed Raiders quarterback Geno Smith into a three-interception day in Week 2 and sits at third in the NFL in scoring defense. Engram presented himself throughout the offseason as a reliable safety valve over the middle for Nix. His absence would leave Denver without a much-needed weapon in a key divisional game.
Bonitto with brace, but OK: Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto was sporting a brace on his wrist in the locker room, and appeared on the team's injury report Wednesday as a full participant in practice. Bonitto, though, said he was fine.
Nate Adkins on track: There's one silver lining amid this rash of injuries -- tight end/fullback Nate Adkins was a full-go Wednesday and looks on track to play against the Chargers. That'd be a boon for the Broncos' offense, as Payton said previously he was "too good a football player" to use an IR designation for a Week 2 or Week 3 season debut.
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