Denver

Broncos

Uwazurike was handed an indefinite suspension by the league last offseason for violating the personal conduct policy after being found to have gambled on NFL games. The third-year player released a statement following his reinstatement, saying “I am grateful to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to resume my NFL career. I’ve learned from this situation and taken steps to ensure it will never happen again.” Uwazurike appeared in eight games for the Broncos in his rookie season in 2022 and should now face an uphill battle for snaps behind a revamped defensive line.

Broncos HD Sean Payton told reporters Monday that the team informed Stearns that they intend to release or trade him so that he can prepare for the situation. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound safety has flashed solid potential since being a fifth-round selection out of Texas in 2021, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy and was limited to just five games due to a patellar tendon injury. There should be interest in Sterns on the open market.

Denver took Franklin — a former college teammate of rookie QB Bo Nix — in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The team, Breer said, was “stunned to see him there in the fourth round. He’s validated their grades thus far.” “You see speed, you see playmaking down the field,” Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of Franklin. “There are certain routes that you see that are strong suits. I do feel good football IQ with that player, and that’s encouraging.” Franklin, who at 6'3" and 180 pounds has a slight build, will compete with Josh Reynolds and Marvin Mims for a place in three-receiver sets alongside Courtland Sutton, the team’s No. 1 wideout.

Fowler also adds that Mims “will also be a key component in the passing game.” The second-year receiver struggled to crack the depth chart last year despite the team trading up in the second round to acquire him and him averaging a solid 17.1 YPR while posting a 22-377-1 line on 33 targets. Mims made the Pro Bowl as a returner last season, totaling 709 kick/punt return yards on 34 returns while also scoring on a 99-yard kick return touchdown. Courtland Sutton is expected to remain in his typical WR1 role for the Broncos this season, but Mims’ explosiveness should add another element to the offense in the second year under Sean Payton. If he truly is a key component in the passing game, Mims could turn into a nice fantasy value after going in the late double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts all offseason.

It’s praise, though lighter praise than Payton heaped on Javonte Williams Thursday. Payton said Williams looked like a “completely different player” another year removed from injury. Williams is shaping up as a solid favorite to retain No. 1 duties, but McLaughlin and company still have several weeks to fight for touches.

“This time last year, in fairness to him, he was recovering still, inside of eight months (removed from) an ACL (tear),” Payton said. “He’s fully healthy now. You can see it in his play.” Payton has been singing Williams’ praises since the Broncos reported, though we are still in the early days of camp and what is a supposedly sprawling Broncos running back battle. Payton also praised second-year pro Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime on Thursday. Williams began the competition as a light favorite, but a favorite nonetheless. It now appears he should be considered a better bet to earn the lion’s share of the Broncos’ touches. He still has several Payton teacher’s pets to stave off, however. It could be a long month of “Report:"s.

Purcell has spent the last five seasons with the Broncos, starting in 37 of the 65 games he appeared in over that span. The veteran lineman is set to enter his ninth season as a pro and is coming off a year in which he totaled 25 tackles and one TFL. He’ll likely serve as added depth along a Patriots line that includes Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore.

Watson had been battling a minor injury during the early parts of training camp but is now back with the team. The rookie UDFA is competing for a spot in a deep Broncos backfield that features incumbents Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Samaje Perine, and rookie Audric Estime. He faces an uphill climb to make the 53-man roster unless he can stand out in training camp, but he would be a priority candidate for the practice squad if he doesn’t make the original roster.

Bailey went down with the injury earlier today. The medical staff put an air cast on his leg and he was taken from practice in an ambulance. Payton didn’t give a timetable for his return but this could be the end of Bailey’s season. The backup lineman was active for all 17 games last year and frequently took the field as a sixth blocker. Bailey will undergo surgery on his ankle soon.

The Vikings are adding Moreau after dealing with major blows to their secondary depth in training camp. He played in 16 games while starting 11 for the Broncos last season. The 30-year-old recorded seven passes defended and one interception in Denver. Starting his career with the Commanders, Moreau has also spent seasons with the Falcons and Giants. The Vikings have lost Mekhi Blackmon to an ACL, with Shaquil Griffin also hurt. Moreau will be depth for a banged-up secondary.