The Denver Broncos are banged up going into Week 3 of the NFL season, and they are in a blitz to get their personnel as strong as they can ahead of a tough two game road trip ahead against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Jets.
Denver Broncos promote OLB Dondrea Tillman to active roster
With outside linebacker Baron Browning battling a foot injury, the Denver Broncos are promoting practice squad outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman to the active roster, as first reported by 9News’ Mike Klis. Yesterday, the Broncos added Andrew Farmer to the practice squad, who played in eight games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
Tillman was a star standout in the UFL this past season and emerged as a standout player for the Broncos in training camp and the preseason. He made a strong enough argument to make the active roster based on his offseason showing, but the team brought him back onto the practice squad.
If Browning is set to miss any amount of time, Tillman will play into the team’s rotation defensively. Outside linebacker Nik Bonitto will likely start opposite Jonathon Cooper if Browning can’t play, and Tillman and rookie standout Jonah Elliss would likely be the two rotational edge rushers.
It’s currently unclear right now what the prognosis is for Browning’s injury, but he did have an MRI. As the team prepares to practice this afternoon, there’s a chance that Broncos head coach Sean Payton will have an update later this afternoon.
Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey could find himself landing on injured reserve as he battles through an MCL sprain that he suffered in the team’s 13-6 loss this past Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s expected to be out at least four weeks initially, and opening up a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve will allow Denver to adjust personnel-wise.
Matt Peart could end up starting at right tackle, but with Denver’s investment in undrafted rookie free agent Alex Palczewski, it’s worth throwing him into that spot to get live-action game reps in the regular season. Unfortunately, these injuries are testing the depth and will of the team early on in the season, and the coaching staff has no choice but to adapt as they try to dig themselves out of an 0-2 hole.