First Look at Broncos' Practice Squad
NFL practice squads are formed the day after NFL teams finalize their 53-man rosters. The Denver Broncos have added 17 players to the practice squad, with one of the players being an exception to the 16-player limit.
Three of these players spent training camp this year with other teams, while the rest were with the Broncos all summer. Let’s examine the 17 players, starting with the exception to the practice squad limit.
Haggai Ndubuisi | DL
Ndubuisi is part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. The NFL allows each team to keep one such player on the practice squad without the player counting toward the limit. He didn’t see much action in the preseason but did show improvement in the three games.
Ben DiNucci | QB
DiNucci, who was originally with the Dallas Cowboys, was added during the offseason to compete for the No. 3 quarterback position. The Broncos decided not to keep him on the active roster on final cuts.
However, the NFL’s new rule about No. 3 QBs means that if he’s eventually promoted to the 53-man roster, he can become active if necessary for him to enter the game without counting against the 48-player gameday limit.
Tyler Badie | RB
Badie spent most of 2022 with the Baltimore Ravens but joined the Broncos practice squad late in the season. He looked good in the 2023 preseason opener but got hurt.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Jaleel McLaughlin made a big impression and earned the No. 3 RB job. Badie’s play was enough, though, to get him a practice squad spot.
Dwayne Washington | RB
The former New Orleans Saint signed with the Broncos a couple of weeks ago but didn’t make the active roster. However, the Broncos brought him back to the practice squad, giving them somebody who is familiar with Sean Payton’s offense.
Phillip Dorsett | WR
Dorsett signed with the Las Vegas Raiders during the offseason but was cut. He is reportedly set to join the Broncos practice squad. Dorsett could be elevated to the active roster for Week 1 because of the injury to Jerry Jeudy.
David Sills | WR
Sills spent the past two seasons with the New York Giants but was waived. He now joins the Broncos after catching 13 passes in 13 games, six of which he started. Sills is another possible player the Broncos could elevate to the active roster for Week 1.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey | WR
Humphrey was added to the Broncos during the offseason after spending three years with the Saints. He showed some promise but lacked consistency in the preseason. Still, his familiarity with Payton worked in his favor with his practice squad addition.
Michael Bandy | WR
Bandy signed with the Broncos just before training camp after spending two seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers. While he made an impression in practice, it didn’t translate to games. But now he’ll join the practice squad and get another chance to impress.
Lucas Krull | TE
Krull spent the 2022 season with the Saints practice squad. He led all tight ends in the preseason in catches and yards. Reportedly, the Saints wanted to bring him back to their practice squad, but he opted to join the Broncos instead, reportedly.
Demontrey Jacobs | OT
Jacobs was beat out by other offensive linemen for a roster spot. He left the third preseason game with an injury, but it wasn’t reported to be serious.
Will Sherman | OL
Sherman spent his rookie season (2021) with the Patriots on their practice squad, save for one game that season. He then joined the Broncos practice squad last season and will join it again.
Tyler Lancaster | DT
Lancaster spent most of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, from 2018 to 2021, and played for the Raiders in 2022. He brings veteran experience to the practice squad.
P.J. Mustipher | DT
Mustipher was competing for a nose tackle job, but after the Broncos renegotiated the contract of Mike Purcell, the practice squad became Mustipher’s most likely option. He will now get time to develop.
Jordan Jackson | DT
Another rookie defensive lineman, Jackson was solid, but the likes of Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia did more to earn a roster spot. Jackson will get his chance to develop this season.
Marcus Haynes | OLB
The Broncos had multiple players vying for the final edge rusher spot, ultimately going with Thomas Incoom. Haynes will get his chance on the practice squad.
Art Green | CB
Green has the physical traits but not the technique. His physical traits were enough for the Broncos to bring him onto the practice squad. Time will tell whether he develops.
Devon Key | S
Key has spent the past two seasons on other practice squads, with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 and the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. The Broncos will be his third.
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