HOUSTON — Marcedes Lewis is set to add to one NFL record — and poised to make Denver Broncos history.
Already the oldest tight end to play a game in NFL history, Lewis is now about to become the oldest player to suit up in the regular season for the Broncos — and the first 40-something player in club history — as the team elected to elevate him from its practice squad on Saturday.
The move is not a surprise, given the Broncos’ scarcity of tight ends. Lucas Krull is on injured reserve and Nate Adkins is unavailable due to a knee injury, although good news regarding his status arrived Saturday when the team chose not to place him on injured reserve, raising hopes that his recovery will not take long.
Broncos coach Sean Payton indicated Friday that Lewis was ready, saying that the 20-season veteran “absolutely” practiced well enough to be elevated.
“I think obviously there are some guys — we’ve seen in all of sports that can hit an age that’s unusual, and he’s one of those guys,” Payton said. “I mean, his routine, his regimen, all of it is extremely impressive. I’m glad he’s here.”
Joining Lewis in being elevated from the practice squad is wide receiver Michael Bandy. Bandy has not been active since Dec. 31, 2023 for a Broncos game against the Los Angeles Chargers; he played two offensive snaps that day.
BEYOND LEWIS: A STARTING O-LINEMAN IS ILL
Left guard Alex Palczewski was downgraded to questionable on Saturday with an illness. The third-year lineman, who has started the last two games in place of the injured Ben Powers and Matt Peart, practiced all three days this week but was added to the injury report Saturday.
BRONCOS PRACTICE-SQUAD ELEVATIONS:
2025:
Week 1: LB Levelle Bailey, FB Adam Prentice
Week 2: FB Adam Prentice (2), LB Garret Wallow
Week 3: FB Adam Prentice (3), LB Garret Wallow (2)
Week 4: LB Garret Wallow (3)
Week 5: None
Week 6: OL Calvin Throckmorton
Week 7: None
Week 8: LB Jordan Turner
Week 9: WR Michael Bandy, TE Marcedes Lewis
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)
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