The Denver Broncos made Dre Greenlaw’s activation from injured reserve official, but they also signed a quarterback in their pre-gameday roster shuffle before facing the New York Giants.
Former Indianapolis Colts QB and 2021 sixth-round draft pick Sam Ehlinger is back. The Broncos released Ehligner in a move many viewed as a precursor to Greenlaw’s return from IR, which proved accurate.
Now, Ehlinger is back with the Broncos, albeit in a different capacity.
Broncos Sign Sam Ehlinger to Practice Squad
GettyJarrett Stidham #8 and Sam Ehlinger #4 of the Denver Broncos warm up before a game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos carried Ehlinger as their third quarterback behind starter Bo Nix and backup Jarrett Stidham, making him inactive as their emergency third-stringer on game days. In need of a roster spot for Greenlaw, Ehlinger’s made the most sense to the Broncos.
His return as a member of the practice squad comes with a tweak to his role this week.
“#Broncos don’t elevate QB Sam Ehlinger from practice squad for Sunday’s game because there’s no need to from money standpoint,” The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported on X on October 18. “Because he was on 53-man roster after Tuesday, he already gets full game check this week. Now has up to 3 elevations on PS to get more full game checks.”
Ehlinger, 27, has thrown for 573 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in his career, and he is 0-3 as a starter. However, he showed well with the Broncos during the preseason.
Nix is the Broncos’ unquestioned starter, and his trusted backup, Stidham, has starting experience. Ehlinger had been relegated to holding a clipboard as the emergency third QB on game days.
That job will now fall on someone else if anything happens to Nix and Stidham.
Broncos Make Roster Moves Official
GettyA.J. Woods #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles poses for photos in training camp.
Ehlinger and Greenlaw’s respective returns were just some of the Broncos’ moves before Sunday’s tilt.
“Denver also released defensive back A.J. Woods from the practice squad and released wide receiver Thayer Thomas from the practice squad with an injury settlement,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 18.
The Broncos initially designated Thomas as practice squad/injured on October 14.
Woods joined the Broncos in September during another flurry of roster moves, but he never appeared in any of the three games Denver played during his tenure.
The Broncos still boast a deep group of cornerbacks. The group is led by the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Pat Surtain II. Their depth has made it challenging to get 2025 first-round draft pick Jahdae Barron consistent playing time.
Giants Get Glimmer of Hope Before Broncos Game
GettyAbdul Carter #51 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Broncos will face a Giants team that drew attention over the number of injured players who did not make the trip to Denver. However, the Giants did get a reason for optimism.
“#Giants LB Abdul Carter, dealing with a hamstring injury and having flown four hours to Denver, is a game-time decision for Sunday, source said,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on X on October 18. “His status will be determined based on how he responds.”
The Broncos are still 7.5-point favorites, per Vegas Insider.
That ties the Broncos with the Chicago Bears (vs the New Orleans Saints) for the second-largest line of Week 7. They are behind the Kansas City Chiefs against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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