Broncos sign free-agent TE Orson Charles, claim two more

After putting two players on IR, the Broncos had a flurry of roster moves on Wednesday.

The Denver Broncos bolstered their roster holes on Wednesday, signing free-agent tight end Orson Charles. The team also claimed offensive lineman Tyler Jones and linebacker Dadi Nicolas. 

Charles (6-foot-3, 257 pounds) is an eighth-year veteran, originally a fourth-round draft pick of Cincinnati's back in 2012. After three seasons in Cincy, he proceeded to bounce around the league, spending time with New Orleans, Detroit, Kansas City and most recently, Cleveland. 

The Browns waived Charles just 10 days ago and he's been sitting on the street ever since. He comes with some NFL experience, which the Broncos lack at the position, and he can play tight end or fullback/H-back. 

I liked Charles when he came out of Georgia back in 2012 and it's unfortunate he's been unable to really make a mark. For his career, he's got 14 receptions for 185 yards. Most importantly, he's healthy.

The Broncos have been the proverbial walking wounded at the TE position, and just had to put Bug Howard on injured reserve earlier on Wednesday. Charles, at the very least, offers the Broncos a fresh body to close out these final two preseason games. 

If he sticks, great. If not, the Broncos have several young TEs they've been nursing along health-wise who'll hopefully be good to go come September. Here's what we know about the two players claimed off waivers. The Broncos gave Charles jersey No. 83. He was out there on Wednesday afternoon. 

TE Orson Charles, the Broncos’ newest signing, meeting with the 50 active duty military members that attended practice today. pic.twitter.com/VGcmCdNdUS

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 21, 2019

Tyler Jones: Jones is an undrafted rookie who played ball at N.C. State and is yet to make his NFL debut. He originally signed with the New York Jets after the draft but was waived earlier this month. He's 6-foot-3 and 306 pounds and will factor into the Broncos' interior O-lin battle. 

Dadi Nicolas: A 6-foot-3, 249-pound LB who originally entered the league as a Kansas City sixth-round pick back in 2016. He's appeared in 11 NFL games and they all came with the Chiefs as a rookie. Since then, he's spent time with Washington, Seattle and most recently, Indianapolis. 

With Joe Dineen about to go under the knife with a broken hand, Nicolas can be plugged into the Broncos' LB corps and hopefully make an impact. Don't hold your breath, though. There's a reason the Colts waived him twice this summer. 

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen.