The Denver Broncos followed through on their apparent plan, activating starting left guard Ben Powers ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Broncos did not stop there, though, tweaking their roster in other meaningful ways.
Still, Powers’ return to the lineup cannot be ignored as the most significant decision the Broncos made on the day.
They certainly felt the impact of his absence on the field.
Ben Powers Returns to Broncos’ Lineup
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos in action against the New Orleans Saints .
“Denver activated guard Ben Powers from injured reserve to the 53-man roster on Saturday, the team announced,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on December 20. “Powers, who suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 against the Eagles, was designated for return from injured reserve and returned to practice ahead of Week 15.
“Prior to his injury, Powers started 39 consecutive games for the Broncos after signing with the team ahead of the 2023 season.”
DiLalla also pointed to Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s comments about Powers’ return.
“Understand this: there’s always that transition period,” Payton told reporters on December 19 during his final media availability of the week before the Jaguars game. “We’re never going to throw someone in there.”
The Broncos’ offense exploded in the passing game without Powers. However, they have missed Powers and starting tailback J.K. Dobbins , the latter of whom remains sidelined.
Broncos Call Up Delarrin Turner-Yell Amid Injury Woes
GettyBrandon Jones #22 of the Denver Broncos focuses before facing the Philadelphia Eagles .
Powers should bolster the Broncos’ offensive line, however much he plays. But the Broncos added to their defense, too, elevating safety Delarrin Turner-Yell to the game-day roster for the first time this season.
In fact, Turner-Yell has not played in a regular-season game for the Broncos since he was a rookie in 2023.
The Broncos drafted Turner-Yell with the No. 152 overall pick of the 2022 draft.
He has played in 30 games with two starts in his career, tallying 34 total tackles and 1 pass deflection. Most of his production came during the 2023 season, but Turner-Yell has battled injuries during his NFL tenure.
He gets a shot after the Broncos lost safety Brandon Jones to a pectoral injury. Jones’ timeline is uncertain , but he will miss at least the next four games (including playoffs) on injured reserve.
P.J. Locke has stepped into Jones’ vacated spot.
Turner-Yell joins Broncos special teams ace Devon Key and even rookie first-round pick Jahdae Barron , who also backs up at nickelback and on the perimeter, as options behind Locke and healthy starter Talanoa Hufanga .
Broncos Nearing Final Decision on Sam Ehlinger
GettySam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos scrambles against the San Francisco 49ers .
In their final move, the Broncos called quarterback Sam Ehlinger up from the practice squad, marking his second time going through this process.
That is notable because the Broncos can call Ehlinger up one more time via this method.
After that, they would need to sign him to their active roster to dress him for another game, even as the emergency third QB, which does not count toward game-day actives. The Broncos, and specifically Payton, like Ehlinger’s mental makeup, arm strength, and athleticism.
If all goes right for Payton and the Broncos, though, the only time they will see Ehlinger in a game is in Week 18 mop-up duty, taking over for a resting Bo Nix ’s backup, Jarrett Stidham .
The Broncos will certainly welcome Powers back into the starting lineup, though.
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