The Broncos will have to make do without Malcolm Roach for a while.
The veteran defensive lineman will go on the injured-reserve list after suffering a calf strain during Thursday’s practice. KUSA-Ch. 9’s Mike Klis was first to report the move.
Roach will be eligible to return in four weeks, so he could be back in time for the Oct. 5 game at Philadelphia.
The five-year veteran left the field early in Thursday’s practice and was subsequently diagnosed with a Grade 2 calf strain, which typically has a recovery time of at least four weeks. Roach played in all 17 regular-season games and the postseason loss at Buffalo last season, notching 2.5 sacks, 5 tackles for losses and 8 quarterback hits.
Denver kept seven defensive linemen on the 53-player roster coming out of camp, an unusually high number for a 3-4 team. But the stellar play of veterans Jordan Jackson and Enyi Uwazurike forced the club’s hand, with third-round pick Sai’Vion Jones a lock to make the club given his draft status and his own palpable progress this summer.
So, the Broncos appear to have enough quality depth to withstand Roach’s injury.
The spot on the 53-man roster vacated by Roach’s injury will go to No. 3 quarterback Sam Ehlinger. The Broncos waived the five-year veteran, but he elected to return to the team on its practice squad, spurning offers to sign elsewhere.
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Meanwhile, the team will also elevate linebacker Levelle Bailey from the practice squad for Sunday’s game with Dre Greenlaw ruled out after not practicing all week. The second-year linebacker was elevated from the practice squad twice last season.
Fullback Adam Practice was also elevated.
If there was any good news Saturday, it was that Greenlaw was not placed on injured reserve along with Roach, implying that the Broncos expect their free-agent pickup’s game-time debut to come soon. Greenlaw did not play in any of the Broncos’ preseason games due to a quad injury suffered in practice July 31.
BRONCOS PRACTICE-SQUAD ELEVATIONS:
2025:
Week 1: LB Levelle Bailey, FB Adam Prentice
2024:
Week 1: FB Michael Burton, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
Week 2: RB Tyler Badie, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (2)
Week 3: RB Tyler Badie (2), DB Tanner McCalister
Week 4: LB Levelle Bailey, DB Tanner McCalister (2)
Week 5: LB Levelle Bailey (2)
Week 6: OT Cam Fleming, IOL Calvin Throckmorton
Week 7: ILB Kwon Alexander, IOL Calvin Throckmorton (2)
Week 8: ILB Kwon Alexander (2), IOL Calvin Throckmorton (3)
Week 9: ILB Kwon Alexander (3), FB Michael Burton (2)
Week 10: FB Michael Burton (3), ILB Zach Cunningham (1)
Week 11: ILB Zach Cunningham (2), S Keidron Smith (1)
Week 12: ILB Zach Cunningham (3), OL Nick Gargiulo (1)
Week 13: OL Nick Gargiulo (2)
Week 15: OL Nick Gargiulo (3), CB Reese Taylor (1)
Week 16: DL Matt Henningsen (1), RB Blake Watson (1)
Week 17: DL Matt Henningsen (2), WR David Sills (1)
Week 18: DL Matt Henningsen (3)