Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton has talked about how much he likes the makeup and chemistry of the 2025 team, and that has been on display in many different ways throughout the season, from comments to what they did with Calvin Throckmorton.
Payton and Throckmorton have a history that extends beyond the Broncos.
Moreover, the Broncos’ initial decision this week seemed to be telling, an idea that has gained momentum, given how they closed out the week.
Broncos Re-Sign Calvin Throckmorton
GettyCalvin Throckmorton #76 of the New Orleans Saints looks on after defeating the Atlanta Falcons.
Throckmorton is in his second season with the Broncos, initially signing with the team in free agency during the 2024 offseason.
They cut him on Thursday, ahead of their Week 16 home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, that did not last. The Broncos re-signed the sixth-year pro back as a member of the practice squad, per The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson on X on December 19.
That is what many speculated would happen when the Broncos waived Throckmorton.
“The Broncos are re-signing guard Calvin Throckmorton to the practice squad, a source said Friday,” Tomasson wrote on December 19.
“Throckmorton was waived Thursday and cleared waivers Friday. He officially can be added Saturday to Denver’s practice squad when the next day of NFL transactions comes out. The Broncos have an opening on the practice squad so no corresponding move needs to be made to bring Throckmorton back.”
Throckmorton has played in nine games for the Broncos this season. He has 11 appearances during his Broncos tenure, all off the bench under Payton, whom Throckmorton first played for with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020.
He has also played for the Carolina Panthers and Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos’ actions with Throckmorton sent signals about their other roster plans as they prepare for the postseason.
Broncos Expected to Activate Ben Powers
GettyBen Powers #74 of the Denver Broncos blocks against the New Orleans Saints.
Waiving Throckmorton without a corresponding move seemingly signaled the Broncos were planning on getting starting left guard Ben Powers back this weekend. Powers has been sidelined since Week 5 with a torn biceps.
He has practiced for the past two weeks.
After holding off on activating Powers to the roster last week, when the Broncos defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, they will get him back in the lineup for the Jaguars game.
“When Throckmorton was waived, that cleared a spot on the 53-man roster for guard Ben Powers to be activated Saturday off injured reserve,” Tomasson wrote. “A source said on Thursday that he would be activated, barring a setback.”
Payton tempered expectations for Powers, given the lengthy absence and nature of his injury.
“Understand this: there’s always that transition period,” Payton told reporters on December 19. “We’re never going to throw someone in there.”
Broncos Getting Healthy
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Broncos cycled through their options at left guard once Powers went down. Matt Peart got the first opportunity.
He lasted one start before injuring his knee and landing on season-ending IR. Alex Palczewski has filled in since. With Powers returning, Palczewski returns to the sixth OL role that he held to begin the season. He became a cult hero in Broncos Country as that additional blocker.
If J.K. Dobbins follows Powers’ need, Payton’s Broncos could be at full strength in the playoffs.
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