The oldest tight end in NFL history is now officially a member of an active roster for his 20th season in the league.
On Saturday, the Broncos signed 41-year-old TE Marcedes Lewis to their 53-man roster, after adding him to their practice squad in late October. Lewis was out of practice-squad elevations after playing in three games for the Broncos in November, and sat inactive in last Sunday’s game against the Commanders.
Lewis was primarily signed for blocking help after key TE/FB hybrid Nate Adkins suffered a knee injury in the Broncos’ Week 8 win over the Cowboys. The veteran’s veteran played 20% of Denver’s offensive snaps in his three games elevated from the practice squad, and is now poised to contribute again Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in Adkins’ continued absence.
The Broncos only had two tight ends active in their 27-26 win over the Commanders last weekend, with Evan Engram and Adam Trautman. Fullback Adam Prentice has stepped in to fulfill some of Adkins’ normal duties, but head coach Sean Payton made clear this week — with a story about tight ends Dan Campbell and Jeremy Shockey getting hurt on the same play during a game earlier in his career on the New York Giants’ staff — that having only two healthy TEs on the 53-man wasn’t ideal.
“Hopefully,” Payton said, finishing that Campbell and Shockey story, “that never happens.”
Payton indicated last week he expected Adkins to return soon, but he didn’t practice at all this week. Adkins won’t play in his fifth straight game Sunday, despite the Broncos’ original decision to not place him on injured reserve.
“It’s all good,” Payton said simply on Adkins this week, asked if his timetable for recovery hasn’t matched up to what Denver originally thought.
In a corresponding move to Lewis’s signing, the Broncos waived linebacker Garret Wallow. The 26-year-old had been a key contributor on special teams, playing 66% of Denver’s snaps there when healthy and active this season. To fill that void, Denver’s activating rookie inside linebacker Jordan Turner from the practice squad for Sunday’s game in Vegas.
