The Denver Broncos made one roster and personnel change on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Could they soon promote an athletic practice squad tight end to the 53-man roster?
Denver Broncos have available roster spot after releasing OLB Ronnie Perkins
Following Thursday’s practice, the Denver Broncos waived outside linebacker Ronnie Perkins, freeing up a spot on the team’s 53-man roster. Perkins appeared in five games for the Broncos this season, accumulating eight tackles and no sacks with one quarterback hit, according to Pro Football Reference.
The move was interesting from a contextual standpoint considering outside linebacker Nik Bonitto has already been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Lions. With Perkins being waived, that means rookie Drew Sanders and undrafted rookie free agent Thomas Incoom will likely receive reps and snaps behind Jonathon Cooper and Baron Browning.
While Denver hasn’t made an official move yet, the expectation is that practice squad tight end Lucas Krull could get the vacant spot left after Perkins’ departure.
With tight end Greg Dulcich being ruled out of Saturday’s game, Krull is in a position to move into that spot, considering his athletic play-making ability. In Sunday’s win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Krull hauled in a 35-yard catch from Russell Wilson.
Krull has had moments throughout this season where his athleticism and ability to get open vertically have been demonstrated on film. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has emphasized his pleasure with the progress the former New Orleans Saints preseason star has made.
“Quite honestly, our young guy, [TE] Lucas [Krull], is really doing a good job with a similar type of role, it you will,” Payton said on Wednesday when referencing Dulcich’s return to practice.
With veteran safety Kareem Jackson set to return next week against the New England Patriots, at some point next week, the team will have to make another roster move to free up a spot on the 53-man roster.
