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Denver Broncos: Which players were added to the team’s practice squad?

By Travis Wakeman

Aug 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Damarea Crockett (39) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Damarea Crockett (39) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the third quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: C. Morgan Engel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Rypien, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

In preparation for the start of the 2021 NFL season, teams around the league were forced to cut their active rosters down to 53 players. From those cuts, and from cuts around the league, teams then form their practice squads.

Practice squads in today’s NFL are much more important than they once were, as many of these players will have to suit up and be part of the active roster during the season. That’s just the world we now live in with  COVID.

That is why the league increased the number of practice squad spots from 10 to 16. Years ago, teams could only carry eight players on the practice squad.

Last season, the Denver Broncos had to make several call-ups from the practice squad for players to fill in on the roster. Many of these were last-minute decisions, such as the one to promote Kendall Hinton just in time to be the team’s starting quarterback against the New Orleans Saints after all of the team’s quarterbacks were ruled out due to violation of COVID protocols.

The Broncos had some difficult decisions when it came to shaping this year’s 53-man roster, and here are the players who are currently on the team’s practice squad, many of whom will likely take part in at least one game this season on the active roster.

Brett Rypien, QB

Denver Broncos, Brett Rypien
Denver Broncos backup QB Brett Rypien. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Many thought that Brett Rypien had a good shot to make the 53-man roster, but in the end, the Broncos chose to carry just two quarterbacks on game days. Luckily, the Broncos managed to sneak Rypien through waivers, signing him to the practice squad the next day.

Rypien has gained good experience during his time in Denver and was actually the starting quarterback last season when the team got its first win over the New York Jets.

The Broncos know that Rypien is a player they can trust if they have to turn to but obviously hope they don’t have to as it would mean that something catastrophic has likely occurred with both Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock.

However, it’s always good to have a guy like this around who can come aboard in a pinch and help direct the team. The Broncos are lucky he’s still around, as there are plenty of teams where he could be the main backup on right now.

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