The Denver Broncos turned an already-busy day into a frenzy, with several roster moves announced. That is in addition to their signing J.T. Gray to the 53-man roster and Karsen Barnhart to their practice squad.
The Broncos also reunited with Garrett Nelson.
There was also more unfortunate injury news for a team that has navigated it since before the season began.
Broncos Announce Flurry of Roster Activity
GettyJ.T. Gray #48 of the New Orleans Saints after facing the Atlanta Falcons.
“Denver signed defensive back J.T. Gray from the Ravens’ practice squad and promoted guard Calvin Throckmorton to the active roster, the team announced Tuesday,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 14.
“In addition, the Broncos also announced they signed offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart and defensive end Garrett Nelson to their practice squad.
Gray is a former First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler. He has experience with Broncos head coach Sean Payton and special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi. He played for both coaches on the New Orleans Saints.
Throckmorton is in his third season with the Broncos. He played in his first game of 2025 in Week 6 against the New York Jets.
Barnhart is a 2024 undrafted free agent from the Los Angeles Chargers with 0 games played.
Broncos Reunite With ‘Try-Hard’ Prospect
GettyGarrett Nelson #56 of the Miami Dolphins sacks Logan Woodside #11 of the Atlanta Falcons.
Nelson, an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, is a familiar face for the Broncos, spending some time with them before the regular season began.
“Nelson competed with the Broncos previously during training camp and in preseason action,” DiLalla wrote in the article announcing Denver’s moves. “He recorded five total tackles, half a sack and a quarterback hit in three games.”
He has also spent time with the Saints and the Miami Dolphins.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein graded Nelson as a “priority free agent” coming out of Nebraska ahead of the 2023 draft.
“Nelson is a burly, try-hard edge defender with good power in his hands and an aggressive demeanor on the field,” Zierlein wrote in 2023. “A lack of twitch and short-area quickness limit his effectiveness. Nelson is certainly tough enough to play on the edge, he lacks the ideal athletic profile for the position in the NFL. He might be best suited to play inside linebacker, where he can accentuate his strengths.”
Notably, the Broncos’ injury woes started at inside linebacker with Dre Greenlaw. Nelson would not be a solution to that issue as much as he would provide depth on the back end.
Broncos Repeating Ominous Pattern
GettyMatt Peart #79 of the Denver Broncos looks to block against the Arizona Cardinals.
With the additions of Gray, Nelson, and Throckmorton, the Broncos had to make some cuts from their roster.
“In corresponding moves, the Broncos placed tackle Matt Peart and linebacker Garret Wallow on injured reserve and designated wide receiver Thayer Thomas as practice squad/injured,” DiLalla wrote.
Peart started at left guard in place of Ben Powers, who is on IR with a torn biceps.
“For the second straight week, the Broncos have lost their starting left guard to injury,” 9News’ Mike Klis wrote on October 14. “Peart … suffered a knee injury on the third play of the game Sunday against the New York Jets, according to a source. Although Peart was able to play every offensive snap the rest of the game, tests taken upon his return to Denver from London revealed a significant knee injury.”
Klis noted that Throckmorton and Barnhart were added as “reinforcement” amid all of the injuries and shuffling up front for the Broncos.
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