LONDON — The Broncos are getting a key piece to their defensive puzzle back for the first time this season.
Denver activated defensive tackle Malcolm Roach from injured reserve Saturday, meaning he’ll be available against the New York Jets here Sunday and is in line to make his 2025 debut.
Roach missed the first five games of the season with a Grade 2 calf strain he sustained in practice the Thursday before Denver’s opener against Tennessee.
More than a month later, the sixth-year man out of the University of Texas is back in the fold.
Roach hasn’t technically been a starter for the Broncos under defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, but he played more than 40% of the defensive snaps in 2024 and is regarded as a high-quality run defender. He put together a strong training camp and looked primed for a big season before the injury.
Roach returned to practice this week, first on a limited basis on Wednesday and then as a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
“He’s doing well,” Payton said Friday.
Roach’s return will shake up Denver’s defensive line rotation, particularly against a New York Jets team that has run the ball effectively so far this season.
“They’re running the ball extremely well,” Payton said Friday. “Really well. We’ve seen (quarterback Justin) Fields and his explosiveness. He’s involved in the run game. I think (running back Breece Hall) is having one of his better seasons.”
Jordan Jackson and rookie Sai’Vion Jones have split the past two games as the last active player in the rotation for Denver, so Roach may slide into that spot ahead of them.
Third-year defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike has seen a major uptick in playing time this season and is putting together a quietly strong year.
Uwazurike has played 123 snaps through five games and is on pace to blow past his career high of 163, set as a rookie in 2022.
Powers to IR: The Broncos opened Roach’s roster spot by officially placing left guard Ben Powers on injured reserve.
Powers tore his left bicep last weekend against Philadelphia and had surgery to repair it Monday. Powers and the Broncos are hoping he can return to action in December.
Throckmorton elevated: Denver elevated guard Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad for Sunday’s game, potentially giving the Broncos an extra set of hands up front if they decide they need it. Denver will decide Sunday whether Throckmorton is active for the game.
Burks visiting. The Broncos are set to host 2022 first-round wide receiver Treylon Burks on a visit next week once they’ve returned home from London, sources confirmed to The Post.
Burks, the No. 18 overall pick three years ago, struggled from the outset with Tennessee over the past two seasons. He has 53 catches for 699 yards and one touchdown for his career. Burks has never played in more than 11 games in a season or had more than the 444 yards he compiled as a rookie.
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