Report: Broncos Not 'Enthralled' by Veteran WR Despite Saints Ties

The Denver Broncos have elevated tight end Lucas Krull and wide receiver David Sills from the practice squad to the active roster for Monday night's road tilt vs. the Buffalo Bills. Both players were signed to Denver's practice squad on August 31, in the immediate aftermath of league-wide final roster cuts.

The decision to elevate Sills was a curious one, considering the coaches' recent usage of newcomer wideout Tre'Quan Smith. A former Sean Payton acolyte in New Orleans, the Broncos signed Smith back in early October and elevated him to the active roster for Week 8's upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to The Denver Gazette's Chris Tomasson, however, Sills is getting the nod in Buffalo due to Smith's practice performances failing to "enthrall" Denver's coaching staff as he works back from an injury.

"Broncos considered elevating WR Tre'Quan Smith from practice squad to active roster for tonight but it's my understanding they have not been enthralled with his play in practice as he comes back from an injury. So we'll see how long he might remain on practice squad," Tomasson tweeted.

#Broncos considered elevating WR Tre'Quan Smith from practice squad to active roster for tonight but it's my understanding they have not been enthralled with his play in practice as he comes back from an injury. So we'll see how long he might remain on practice squad.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 13, 2023

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An ominous report for Smith. In Smith's one game as a Bronco, he played 10 offensive snaps and zero on special teams, so it'll be interesting to see how Krull and Sills are utilized on Monday night.

Krull (jersey #85) is a 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end in his second year. He entered the NFL as a college free agent out of Pittsburgh with the Saints. He's appeared in one NFL game, with 11 offensive snaps under his belt.

Sills (#87) stands at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds and is in his fourth year. Also a former college free agent (West Virginia), he's appeared in 13 regular-season games as a pro with six starts, all of which came with the New York Giants prior to joining the Broncos. For his career, Sills has 13 receptions for 123 yards (9.5 avg.).

The last guys who dress on a gameday roster are usually relied upon to contribute on special teams. I would expect both Krull and Sills to see some third-phase action, but whether they contribute on offense remains to be seen.

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