The Denver Broncos have tweaked their roster before they take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, adding linebacker Jordan Turner to their gameday roster.
Turner is a rookie undrafted free agent. He began his college career at Wisconsin before finishing closer to home at Michigan State in 2024. Turner signed with the Broncos after the 2025 draft and has been a member of their practice squad since.
He will get his first taste of the regular season in Week 8.
Broncos Elevate Jordan Turner to Active Roster
GettyJordan Turner #55 of the Denver Broncos sacks Clayton Tune #15 of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos announced that “We’ve elevated ILB Jordan Turner for #DALvsDEN,” with a post on X on October 25, drawing attention to a player The Denver Post’s Luca Evans called a “camp standout.”
“Denver has added a young defender to its active roster for Week 8,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 25. “The Broncos elevated rookie inside linebacker Jordan Turner from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys, the team announced.
“Turner has yet to appear in a regular-season game, but he recorded 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and four quarterback hits in preseason action.”
Turner certainly drew attention before the season.
In May, the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson reported, “Among the two rookie tryout players signed, I’m told LB Jordan Turner impressed the #Broncos immediately with the leadership he displayed and his ability to quickly pick up the playbook.”
Broncos Forced to Shuffle Deck at LB
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up before a game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Turner is not the first reserve linebacker the Broncos have turned to amid injuries and disciplinary actions. Specifically, Dre Greenlaw missed the first six games of the season with a quad injury, then received a one-game suspension for “verbally abusing” an official.
“Third ILB to get an elevation so far, joining Levelle Bailey and Garret Wallow (promoted but now on IR),” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel.
“Makes sense to bring an LB up with Dre Greenlaw suspended.”
Turner joins starter Alex Singleton, Greenlaw’s fill-in Justin Strnad, and fellow rookie UDFA Karene Reid on the Broncos’ active roster for their tilt against the Cowboys. Whether or not he makes it into a game is another story.
Former UDFA Passed Over Again
GettyLevelle Bailey #56 of the Denver Broncos looks on before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Turner’s elevation is telling, both for him and Bailey, a 2024 UDFA who is on the Broncos’ practice squad. This marks the sixth consecutive week that the Broncos have opted against elevating Bailey. He was expected to take a step forward this season.
Like Reid (sixth among LBs in 2025), Bailey ranked among NFL.com draft analyst Chad Rueter’s list of the top UDFAs in his class.
Bailey ranked 13th in his group of free agent rookies.
He also appeared in 10 games for the Broncos as a rookie. He logged 5 total tackles and played 147 of his 152 snaps on special teams. However, Bailey has not received a call-up by the Broncos since the regular-season opener. That was a 20-12 win over the Tennessee Titans.
The Broncos have passed over Bailey multiple times. Moreover, they did so for even less experienced, unproven options in Reid and Turner. That seemingly speaks volumes.
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