The Broncos’ latest first-round pick has now missed both of Denver’s last two practices — with a preseason game sprinkled in.
Cornerback Jahdae Barron was absent from all team and individual work at Dove Valley on Tuesday, a few days after he missed Friday’s practice with what Sean Payton called a “soft-tissue” injury. Barron, though, traveled to New Orleans and played eight snaps in the Broncos’ 28-19 win over the Saints on Saturday.
As he competes for the starting nickel job with Ja’Quan McMillian, Barron was one of five cornerbacks to make the Broncos’ initial roster Tuesday, along with Pat Surtain II, Riley Moss and Kris Abrams-Draine.
“I think patience is a virtue, especially in this league,” Surtain said Tuesday when asked about Barron playing behind McMillian. “Especially in this league — it’s always next man up, so whenever your name is called, you gotta show out.”
“I think he knows that,” Surtain continued, a few words later. “He’s a pro at what he does. So, he’s going to be out there making plays for us, and it’s all about him continuing to grow and get better.”
**Empty on fullbacks:** Payton said starting fullback Michael Burton will be placed on season-ending injured reserve after hamstring surgery, an injury that’s nagged Burton throughout camp. Denver’s alternative fullback option, Nate Adkins (ankle), meanwhile, will still be out for at least a week or two to start the year, and the Broncos cut recent signee Adam Prentice on Tuesday. That means nobody’s currently healthy in an important “F” role in Payton’s offense.
“I think you’ll begin to see it develop,” Payton said cryptically when asked about the Broncos’ plan at fullback.
The easiest possible solution is the Broncos take Prentice to their practice squad and elevate him for the first three games of the year, similar to what they did with Burton last year. There’s a couple of intriguing names floating on the waiver wire, too, such as former Kansas City hybrid back Carson Steele.
**Denver wants to keep their QB3:** Sam Ehlinger was Denver’s 54th man, for all intents and purposes, the quarterback winding up as the Broncos’ final cut Tuesday. Payton made clear, though, that the Broncos hope Ehlinger passes through waivers.
“Sam’s a guy,” Payton said, “that we want back.”
Every NFL team will carry three quarterbacks — whether on the active roster or total with the practice squad — when the season begins, Payton said. If Ehlinger is picked up by a quarterback-needy team, the Broncos will likely have to turn to the wire themselves.
**Broncos don’t pick between Jordan Jackson, Eyioma Uwazurike:** It’s wholly unconventional for an NFL team to bring more than six guys on their defensive line into the season. Denver took six last year, and five during Payton’s first year in 2023. But the Broncos have been running Jackson and Uwazurike side by side on their second-team and goal-line units throughout camp, and in a sneaky-good position battle, wound up simply taking both. That left the Broncos with seven defensive linemen Tuesday.
“Even with the practice squad,” Payton said Tuesday, “we still have to value the player over the quota.”
Both Jackson and Uwazurike should be in line to play significant rotational snaps, assuming Denver doesn’t make a trade amid continuing roster shuffle.
Originally Published: August 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM MDT