Much of Denver’s current coaching staff and roster saw Elijah Moore up close and personal almost exactly a year ago.
He caught eight passes for 111 yards for Cleveland on Monday Night Football at Empower Field, marking the second-most yards the fifth-year receiver has produced in a single game in his career.
Turns out, Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II has known Moore, who signed to Denver’s practice squad Tuesday and practiced with the team for the first time Wednesday, much longer than that.
The South Florida natives are both 25 years old and Surtain said they’ve been playing against each other since they were 6 or 7.
“It’s pretty cool to see it come full circle,” Surtain said. “I told him, ‘Man, we finally get to be on the same team together after all these battles we’ve had.’ And also, he was at Ole Miss when I was at Bama, so we’ve had some battles over the years. I’m glad to have him on the team.
“I think he’s a great player and great person, so he fits the mold.”
Head coach Sean Payton said the staff and front office are always keeping an eye on transactions around the league and considering whether a player might be able to help now or in the future.
“I think it was more of us looking at a talented player,” he said of signing Moore.
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton said he spent time training with Moore last summer as he was recovering from an ankle injury.
“Having someone like Elijah, however that situation shakes out — I don’t know what’s going to happen, but he’s a dynamic player,” Sutton said. “His speed, route running and the things he brings to the table are things that could contrast well with the things we already have going on in our room.
“Whatever may happen, he’ll be a good piece to us, but outside of that, he’s just a really good guy to have in our room with the mindset that he has and the positive energy that he brings to our meeting room.”
Jones out to start week
Broncos defensive tackle D.J. Jones did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury he sustained Sunday night at Washington.
Jones, after the game, indicated he was OK and he was in attendance at practice as Denver got to work preparing for Las Vegas, but his practice participation will be worth tracking as the week progresses.
Tight end Nate Adkins (knee) also missed practice, a concerning start to the week after missing the past four games. Payton late last week said Adkins had been close to getting back to work ahead of the Commanders game, but that this week was “more realistic.”
Outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (hamstring) returned to practice and was a full participant after missing the past two games.
Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.