The Denver Broncos kick off training camp on Tuesday as veterans are set to report. Even though there isn’t a practice scheduled for Tuesday, the team did make two roster moves on Sunday.
Denver Broncos place LB Jordan Turner on NFI list, OL Nick Gargiulo on PUP
The Broncos placed linebacker Jordan Turner on the non-football injury list on Sunday, prior to the start of training camp on Tuesday. Turner is one player who stood out quite a bit during the team’s offseason program at OTAs and minicamp, making plays on the football in various team periods.
Last season, he emerged as a reliable special teams player for special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, ultimately playing in seven games and racking up seven total tackles while playing 117 special teams snaps and 23 defensive snaps.
With Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad as the two starters at linebacker, Turner was and still is a strong candidate to become that first option up behind them in the event of an injury. There is no current timeline or update on the extent of Turner’s injury, but we’ll continue to monitor when he returns to the practice field.
While on the NFI list, Turner still counts against the Broncos’ 90-man roster. He will have to pass a physical in order to be cleared to practice.
In his absence, Levelle Bailey, Karene Reid, Red Murdock, and Taurean York will all get extended opportunities and snaps within the different unit rotations during camp.
The team also placed offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo on the physically unable to perform list. Gargiulo was a standout during training camp and the preseason last year prior to suffering a season-ending injury in the team’s second preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Gargiulo has been steadily working his way back through a strenuous rehab of his injury and isn’t ready yet, which will afford Broncos’ rookie OL Kage Casey to get some more reps throughout camp.
Players placed on the PUP list can attend team meetings, but cannot physically participate in practice. Gargiulo will continue to attend meetings, lift, and rehabiliate with the Broncos training staff until he’s fully cleared, but there is no known timetable for him yet.