Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos made several final adjustments in the hours before their showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on “Thursday Night Football” to cap off a three-game, Christmas Day slate, including with Pro Bowl tight end Marcedes Lewis.
Both teams enter the contest banged up, with the Broncos ruling out linebacker Dre Greenlaw and several other starters ahead of time.
Lewis effectively takes the place of a running back in an extensive roster adjustment.
Broncos Add Marcedes Lewis, Calvin Throckmorton
GettyMarcedes Lewis #89 of the Jacksonville Jaguars stands during the National Anthem.
The Broncos announced via the team’s website that they promoted Lewis and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to their active roster ahead of Thursday’s contest.
Denver’s decisions come in light of some injuries at both players’ positions.
“Throckmorton has appeared in nine games for the Broncos this season, playing 15 percent of Denver’s special teams snaps in those games,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on December 25. “The veteran player has appeared in 57 games in his career.
“Lewis has played four games for the Broncos this year and logged 25 percent of Denver’s offensive snaps in those appearances.”
The Broncos ruled tight end Nate Adkins out among the group with Greenlaw.
They listed starting tight end Adam Trautman with an illness on Wednesday’s injury report , but did not give him an injury designation for the game. Still, they felt there was a need for Lewis behind Trautman and co-starter Evan Engram .
Adkins also plays fullback, a position where the Broncos also have Adam Prentice . Still, Adkins’ absence leaves the Broncos depleted at two positions.
The Broncos also ruled out center Luke Wattenberg and wide receiver Pat Bryant .
Throckmorton takes Wattenberg’s roster spot, with the Broncos placing the latter on injured reserve . Meanwhile, the Broncos made other adjustments in light of Greenlaw–and fellow LB Karene Reid –and Bryant’s absences, with Levelle Bailey and Michael Bandy , respectively.
“Bailey has appeared in one game this season, playing 10 special teams snaps against the Titans in Week 1,” DiLalla wrote of the Broncos’ other roster additions on the day. “Bandy has appeared in three games this season, catching two passes for 36 yards and his first career touchdown.
Broncos Cut Ties With Former UDFA RB
GettyCody Schrader #32 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts after a run against the Dallas Cowboys .
With all of the additions, the Broncos also made a subtraction from their roster ahead of their “TNF” tilt with the Chiefs. The Broncos waived running back Cody Schrader , whom they claimed off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars , Denver’s Week 16 opponent.
Schrader, a former undrafted free agent, added size to a backfield that is leaning on rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey and smaller options with starter J.K. Dobbins on IR.
The Broncos hope to remain in the postseason long enough for Dobbins to return.
They did not utilize Schrader, though. So, his departure was a logical way, along with placing Wattenberg on IR, to create the room on the roster that the Broncos needed to add Lewis and Throckmorton.
The Broncos are facing a diminished Chiefs group, too. However, many players from the Super Bowl teams will play in this game.
That is all the more reason for Payton’s Broncos to avoid losing focus and securing the win.
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