LONDON – The Broncos are getting a key piece in their defensive puzzle back for the first time this season.
Denver activated defensive tackle Malcolm Roach from injured reserve on Saturday, meaning he will be available here on Sunday against the New York Jets and in line to make his debut in 2025.
Roach missed the first five games of the season with a Grade 2 calf injury suffered during practice Thursday before Denver’s opener against Tennessee.
More than a month later, the University of Texas sixth-year is back in the fold.
Roach wasn’t technically a starter for the Broncos under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, but he played more than 40% of the defensive snaps in 2024 and is considered a quality run defender. He put together a strong training camp and looked primed for a big season before the injury.
Roach returned to training this week, first on a limited basis on Wednesday and then as a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
“He’s doing well,” Payton said Friday.
Roach’s return will shake up Denver’s defensive line rotation, especially against a New York Jets team that has run the ball effectively so far this season.
“They run the ball extremely well,” Payton said Friday. “Really good. We’ve seen (quarterback Justin) Fields and his explosiveness. He’s involved in the run game. I think (running back Breece Hall) is having one of his better seasons.”
Jordan Jackson and rookie Sai’Vion Jones have split the last two games as the last active player in the rotation for Denver, so Roach could end up in that spot for them.
Third-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike has seen a big increase in playing time this season and is having a quietly strong year.
Uwazurike has played 123 snaps in five games and is on pace to surpass his career high of 163, which he set as a rookie in 2022.
IR powers: The Broncos opened Roach’s roster spot by officially placing left guard Ben Powers on injured reserve.
Powers tore his left bicep last weekend against Philadelphia and had surgery on Monday to repair it. Powers and the Broncos hope he can return to action in December.
Throckmorton increased: Denver elevated guard Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, potentially giving the Broncos an extra pair of hands up front if they decide they need them. Denver will decide on Sunday whether Throckmorton is active for the game.
Burks visiting. The Broncos will receive 2022 first-round pick wide receiver Treylon Burks next week once they return from London, sources confirmed to The Post.
Burks, the No. 18 overall pick three years ago, has struggled from the start with Tennessee over the past two seasons. He has 53 catches for 699 yards and one touchdown for his career. Burks has never played in more than 11 games in a season and never had more than the 444 yards he collected as a rookie.
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Originally published:
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