ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos made a series of roster moves on Tuesday as their Week 8 game against Washington approaches.
Denver designated tight end Albert Okwuegbunam and linebacker Jonas Griffith for return from injured reserve, which will allow both players to return to practice. The Broncos now have a 21-day window in which they can activate either player to the 53-man roster.
The Broncos also waived running back Damarea Crockett and linebacker Curtis Robinson and released wide receiver John Brown, center Javon Patterson and defensive back Saivion Smith from the practice squad. Denver also placed guard Netane Muti on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Okwuegbunam was placed on IR on Oct. 9 with a hamstring injury, while Griffith was added to the list on Sept. 28 with the same injury.
Okwuegbunam caught nine passes for 57 yards and a touchdown before being placed on IR, and Head Coach Vic Fangio said it was possible he could return vs. Washington.
"We'll see where he's at," Fangio said Friday. "There was some hope when he first got hurt that he would only miss two games, but with the third game being a Thursday game, we put him on IR. He wouldn't have been able to play last night if we didn't IR him. We'll see where he's at this week. Hopefully he'll be good."
Robinson played the first defensive snaps of his career, as he played 45 snaps against the Browns in relief of an injured Micah Kiser. Brown, meanwhile, played 12 offensive snaps over the last two weeks for Denver. The Broncos had exhausted the allotted two chances to elevate Brown from the practice squad to the active roster. Patterson and Smith did not appear in game action for the Broncos.
Muti is the first player to be added to the team's Reserve/COVID-19 list since the start of training camp. The list is intended for players who have tested positive for the virus or been in close contact with an infected individual. Teams are not permitted to disclose whether a player on the list tested positive for the virus.
Denver also announced it had protected the following players on its practice squad: TE Shaun Beyer, G Austin Schlottmann and WR Seth Williams.
