The Broncos made a slew of roster moves to address issues on special teams and injuries that cropped up while the team practiced and played in London.
Sean Payton’s team placed left guard Matt Peart (knee) and inside linebacker Garret Wallow (hamstring) on injured reserve, the team announced Tuesday. The Broncos filled those two spots on the 53-man roster by signing former New Orleans special teams ace J.T. Gray off of Baltimore’s practice squad and promoting offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from their own.
Peart made his first start of the season at left guard and struggled in place of Ben Powers. He was called for three penalties (two holding) but made it through all 60 offensive snaps. When the team returned to Denver, he had an MRI for a knee issue, a league source said, and it turned out to be serious enough to necessitate a trip to injured reserve.
Peart’s injury means the Broncos will start their third left guard in as many weeks Sunday against the New York Giants.
The exact nature and severity of Peart’s injury weren’t disclosed, but there’s an open question about whether he’ll be in position to return this season.
Gray, 29, spent the first seven years of his career with the Saints. Six of those came with now-Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. In those seasons, Gray was named a first-team All-Pro once and a second-teamer twice.
He was a surprise cut by New Orleans going into Week 1 and shortly thereafter signed with Baltimore’s practice squad. Then he dealt with an injury, but he is healthy now and is likely to go right into action with the Broncos.
Denver has struggled in coverage so far this season. On Sunday against the Jets, the Broncos allowed a 71-yard return and another that might have gone for a touchdown were it not for a diving tackle by Devon Key.
“The big return they had, there’s contact made,” Payton said after the game. “Still, we kind of knew going in they were in the top ten in kick return yardage. Even when we doubled the jammer, you should be able to win a look, and they’re splitting it or beating us.
“I think Darren is probably just as disappointed relative to his units as I would be relative to our offense.”
Gray must spend at least three weeks on the Broncos’ 53-man roster after being signed from another team’s practice squad.
Wallow has been a special teams regular in Denver and will have to miss at least four weeks.
He’s first eligible to return Week 11 for the Broncos.
**Barnhart, Nelson to PS:** Denver also added more offensive line help to its practice squad, signing Karsen Barnhart after an early-week workout.
Barnhart, 24, went undrafted in 2024 and has spent time on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad.
In addition, Denver signed OLB Garrett Nelson to the practice squad. Nelson spent part of training camp with the Broncos and was also on New Orleans’ practice squad earlier this season.
They fill spots opened by Throckmorton’s promotion and the placement of receiver Thayer Thomas on the practice squad injury list.
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Originally Published: October 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM MDT