The Denver Broncos are expected to promote outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka and safety P.J. Locke for Week 1 against the Titans.
Outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka and safety P.J. Locke were added to the practice squad following roster cuts but the Denver Broncos are reportedly going to call them up for their Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Tuszka will fill the positional void created with the absence of Von Miller, who will miss a while with an injury. The Broncos also have Malik Reed and Jeremiah Attaochu who are expected to have significant roles while MIller is out.
The new practice squad/game day rules could be confusing for some, but Broncos head coach has you covered:
Here’s Vic Fangio explaining how the Broncos (and every team) handles gameday P-Squad promotions. In this case OLB Derek Tuszka & S P.J. Locke(1st by @MikeKlis). They don’t have to be active, but I suspect they will be. #BroncosCountry @KOAColorado pic.twitter.com/tycXxMSz3f
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) September 14, 2020
The Broncos don’t have to make any corresponding roster moves with the activations of Tuszka and Locke, Miller is still going to miss some time but still have a chance of actually returning at some point later on in the season.
While Tuszka and Locke were the initial names that could be promoted, Klis also says that wide receiver Fred Brown could be one of the two players activated, if Courtland Sutton or K.J. Hamler are unable to go.
As for the offensive line, the Broncos have Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry, Graham Glasgow and Elijah Wilkinson as the starters. Calvin Anderson, Netane Muti and Austin Schlottmann are the reserves. That’s a total of eight offensive linemen right there.
Locke would be the backup at the safety position behind Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson. The Broncos also have Duke Dawson (who can play both cornerback and safety) and Trey Marshall.
One of the moves that is still yet to be official is whether or not wide receiver Courtland Sutton will be ready to go following an AC joint injury he suffered in practice. Fangio said recently that Sutton would be able to go only if he was able to do 10 jumping jacks.
The Titans, meanwhile, will be without several key contributors, including cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and outside linebacker Vic Beasley.
Will those absences be enough to help lead the Broncos to their first win of the season? Broncos football is finally back! Let’s go!