The Broncos may be down a key member of their interior defensive line as Sunday’s season-opener approaches.
Defensive tackle Malcolm Roach suffered a calf strain during Thursday’s practice, sources told The Denver Post. It’s a Grade 2 strain, a source said, a designation that covers a broad range of possible injury but casts doubt on Roach’s availability to play against Tennessee on Sunday, approximately 72 hours post-injury.
The defensive tackle left Thursday’s practice during the period open to reporters, and was later designated on the team’s injury report as limited (calf). If Roach is indeed out Sunday, it’ll mean more rotational reps for backups Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike, as Denver carried seven defensive linemen on its initial 53-man roster.
Beyond Roach, Denver has more than one injury question on their defense as Sunday’s season-opener approaches.
Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw didn’t participate for the second straight practice day due to a quad injury he’s been dealing with on and off since April. Outside linebacker Dondrea Tillman (hamstring), another key rotational piece in the team’s front seven, also appeared on the injury report as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Tillman, a source said, got encouraging news after examination and appears to have avoided serious injury.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph didn’t have an update on Greenlaw, but he said the club is always talking through what contingency plans are for any player.
“You’re always prepared for your guys to step up and play,” Joseph said. “Any position. Linebacker, safety, corner. It’s early in the week, but every guy on our roster, practice squad included, has to be ready to play.
“So no worries there. Dre’s working hard and we’ll see what happens on Sunday, but we have guys that are capable.”
Behind Greenlaw and Alex Singleton, Denver has Justin Strnad and undrafted rookie Karene Reid on the 53-man roster, plus Levelle Bailey, Jordan Turner and Garrett Wallow on the practice squad.
**Rookie number changes:** The Broncos’ top two draft picks from this spring have changed their numbers in recent days, with one leading to the next.
First, first-round pick Jahdae Barron swapped out No. 12 for No. 23, a nod to his childhood friend, Tardrick “Trollie” Fowler Jr., who died in 2020.
“Twenty-three, that means something to me personally,” Barron said Wednesday. “I had a family friend that passed away, so I wore 23 in college for him. … It’s good just to get back in the number for myself and then also for his family.
“I know they’ll be proud to see that.”
That number had been running back Audric Estime’s when Barron joined the team this spring. Once Estime was waived last month, Barron jumped at the chance to switch.
Then Thursday, second-round running back RJ Harvey switched to No. 12 from No. 37.
So far, those have been the only two number changes for Denver.
“Feel good, play good, play good and ultimately you get paid good,” Barron said.
**Versatile backs:** Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi thinks Denver’s set of running backs can all play in various scenarios.
“Historically, you kinda had a back that filled this role, and then you had your lightning back, or maybe more of a receiver, and change-of-pace back,” Lombardi said. “And we just feel like all our guys can do everything. And that makes it a lot more easy to personnel all your plays. You’re not worried about which running back’s in there. They all can handle it. So, makes it a lot easier.”
Lombardi said Harvey has come along in the pass-protection department, adding, “In another year, he’ll be even better. For a rookie, I think he’s on point and dialed in, and if he’s in there on third down, we have no concerns.”
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Originally Published: September 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM MDT