ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — A pair of Broncos have taken a step closer toward returning to game action.

The Broncos have designated center Luke Wattenberg for return from injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.

Wattenberg participated in the media-viewing portion of Wednesday's practice and started the 21-day window in which he must be activated to play in 2024.

Linebacker Drew Sanders, who is on the Physically Unable to Perform list, also returned to practice and opened his 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster.

Both Wattenberg and Sanders are eligible to play as soon as Week 10 in Kansas City if they are activated to the 53-man roster. If either player is not activated over the next 21 days, he will revert to his respective reserve list for the remainder of the season.

Wattenberg, who suffered an injury in the Broncos' Week 5 win over the Raiders, has missed the Broncos' last four games. He is the fifth player the Broncos have designated for return from IR during the 2024 season. Each NFL team is permitted to designate eight players for return over the course of the season.

The 2022 fifth-round pick started each of the first five games of the season for Denver.

Sanders, a 2023 third-round pick, suffered his injury during the offseason. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and started four contests. He recorded 24 tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery as he played 23 percent of Denver's defensive snaps and 64 percent of the team's special teams plays.