Broncos Add Pro Bowler, Former Chargers Playmaker Ahead of Texans Game
The Denver Broncos announced that they made the highly anticipated and historic decision to add veteran Pro Bowler and recent free agent addition, tight end Marcedes Lewis, to their active roster for game day against the Houston Texans.
However, they did not stop there, adding a replacement for an injured All-Pro.
The Broncos even drew attention for what they did not do, in a non-decision that has significant implications.
Broncos Add Marcedes Lewis to Gamday Roster
GettyMarcedes Lewis #84 of the Chicago Bears takes the field against the Los Angeles Rams.
Lewis signed with the Broncos’ practice squad this week amid an injury to Nate Adkins. He will become the oldest player in Broncos history, and the oldest tight end in NFL history, to play if and when he takes the field in Week 9 against the Texans.
The 6-foot-6 veteran is a solid blocker and can still be a threat in the red zone as an ancillary option for quarterback Bo Nix.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton offered strong praise for Lewis.
“He’s someone you kind of follow his career, and I knew he’d been training. I know he’s in great shape, and he’s a tremendous blocker. I think you don’t want to get caught where, man, it’s got to be jumbo. And so, we brought him in for a workout. Brought him onto our practice squad. I’m glad he’s here. He’s a tremendous leader. I’m anxious for you guys to be around him. So, good first day,” Payton told reporters on October 31.
“He’s been in the league long enough, where the reports have just been unbelievable anywhere he’s been; Jacksonville, Green Bay, Chicago. So, it’s good to have him here.”
Lewis will be behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman, the Broncos’ most complete tight end.
Payton noted that Lewis’ longevity is “unusual” and a testament to how work ethic in his 20th NFL season. The Broncos also have Lucas Krull, though he is also dealing with an injury, which required surgery on his foot.
Broncos Replace Marvin Mims With Former Chargers Playmaker
In addition to Lewis, the Broncos also elevated former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver and return man Michael Bandy from their practice squad. An undrafted free agent in 2021, Bandy is in his third season with the Broncos.
He has not played in a regular-season game since the 2023 season with the Broncos.
Bandy will help the Broncos in the return game with All-Pro return man Marvin Mims out due to a concussion.
Mims is lower in the pecking order than his standing on the depth chart as the Broncos’ WR2 would suggest. But Nix and Co. will miss him in that regard, too, as a deep threat and versatile gadget player.
Bandy has caught 10 of 21 targets for 89 yards, starting two of his 12 career games.
Broncos’ Non-Decision Could ‘Pay Off’ in Big Way
With Lewis and Bandy joining the active roster, the Broncos’ decision not to place Adkins or Pat Surtain II on IR has the most significant implications, particularly with the latter.
“Now official what’s been percolating this week: No IR placement for CB Pat Surtain II (pec) or TE Nate Adkins (knee),” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel posted on X on November 1. “Will have to carry the two roster spots but will pay off in the #Broncos’ mind if each is back by Nov. 30 at Washington or sooner.”
According to 9News’ Mike Klis, the Broncos’ bye in Week 12 was a “factor.”
The Broncos will look to replace Surtain internally, with 2023 fifth-round pick Kris Abrams-Draine or rookie 20th-overall pick Jahdae Barron against the Texans as the trade deadline approaches.
Schottenheimer Indicates Cowboys Demoting Rookie Playmaker in Week 9
For Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue, just getting on the field this season was a bit of a struggle. He was taken in the fifth round of the draft out of Texas, and considered something of a steal because of his speed, but once he reported to Dallas, coaches found his work ethic and attention to detail was not quite up to NFL snuff.
Blue was a healthy scratch for all of September, before making his debut against the Jets on October 5. His chance came as RB2 Miles Sanders went down for the season with a knee injury, putting the rookie in position to solidify his spot with the team.
But since getting a bump up on the depth chart, Blue has failed to deliver for the Cowboys, gaining just 65 yards on 22 carries, an unimpressive 3.0 yards per rush. Worse, against the Broncos in Week 8, Blue lost a fumble in the third quarter and this week, coach Brian Schottenheimer indicated that veteran backup Malik Davis may well have overtaken Blue on the depth chart heading into Week 9 vs. the Cardinals.
Cowboys’ Schottenheimer: Jaydon Blue Was ‘Inconsistent’
When talking about Blue this week, here’s the full context of Schottenheimer’s comments, including his sentiments that Blue should actively be learning from RB1 Javonte Williams:
“Jaydon was inconsistent in the game. He did some really good things, but there were some other things he’s got to do at a higher level. The fumble was a good hit, but he’s got to be able to hold onto the ball. And actually our combination block was supposed to come off to it and it didn’t so, again, that’s a blocking issue. But again, he can continue to play and emphasize playing more and more physical with and without the ball. That’s real.
“That’s a young back learning the speed of the game, the physicality of the game. But to me, I am always going to go back to the consistency. You can’t put the ball on the ground, you have to be on top of your blitz pickups, you have to do those things. The big thing I have told him about, you’ve got the perfect guy sitting right to your left in Javonte to learn from. (He) was you a couple years ago as a young rookie trying to figure things out, and lean on him. Javonte does everything right.”
Malik Davis Cowboys Opportunities Coming?
But it was what Schottenheimer then said, unprovoked, that is interesting as far as the depth chart goes. Schottenheimer praised Davis out of the blue, despite the fact that Davis has played only five snaps this year.
“I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about Malik Davis and the job he is doing for us,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re all about creating competition, it’s not just creating competition on the defensive side of the ball and who’s gonna play. It’s on the offensive side as well. And that would be another battle to watch.”
Again, there was no prior indication that Davis was battling for the backup spot–until Schottenheimer said it.
Jaydon Blue Ran a 4.38 40-Yard Dash
Blue made his mark last season for Texas with his versatility, rushing for 730 yards on 133 carries, and adding 368 yards receiving on 42 catches. He had 146 yards and two touchdowns for the Longhorns in their playoff win over Clemson, but was shut down in the next two games, going for just 20 yards on eight carries in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
But the Cowboys liked his speed coming out of college, with a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine, and felt he was a steal in the fifth round.
