The Denver Broncos had a significant development to begin Week 7, with a home date against the New York Giants on the docket, as veteran linebacker Dre Greenlaw took the practice field for the first time since going on injured reserve.
Moreover, the Broncos have opened the 21-day practice window on the former San Francisco 49ers star.
As if that was not enough, Greenlaw teased that he is nearing a return.
Dre Greenlaw Draws Attention After Broncos Announce Decision
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a stop against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game.
The Broncos signed Greenlaw to a three-year, $31.5 million contract in free agency from the San Francisco 49ers. He was one of their three prized free agent signings, but he has not taken the field this season. He shared a highlight reel of big hits on Instagram that piqued interest.
Greenlaw did not appear in the clip from years past, originally captioned “felony hits.”
“May mean nothing at all, but Dre Greenlaw just posted this on his IG story,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posted on X on October 15.
The Broncos have missed Greenlaw’s coverage skills and playmaking ability at the second level of their defense. Greenlaw, 28, logged back-to-back seasons with 120-plus tackles in 2022 and 2023 before tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl.
He returned during the 2024 season, but was sidelined once again by a foot injury.
Greenlaw’s extensive injury history is, in part, why the Broncos were able to sign him to the deal that they did.
Sean Payton Stays Tight-Lipped as Broncos Make Announcement
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals.
A torn quad in the spring turned into another in Broncos training camp, landing Greenlaw on IR before facing the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 3. There have been very few updates since the Broncos made that decision.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Greenlaw returned to practice as the Broncos announced opening his practice window and designating him to return.
The Broncos officially listed Greenlaw as “limited” on the day.
“The Broncos are a step closer to getting a playmaker back on defense,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 15. “Denver can activate Greenlaw to the 53-man roster at any point within the next 21 days. He is eligible to play as early as Sunday’s matchup with New York. If Greenlaw isn’t activated during the 21-day window, he would revert to IR for the remainder of the season.”
DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens called it a “huge step for Greenlaw.”
“Yeah, he practiced today,” Payton told reporters on October 15, noting “it was good,” before being pressed about what the veteran brings to the table.
“These are the hypotheticals, right? I love him. You know, no, I can’t say anything about injury. He practiced today. He practiced today, he’s been working out, he’s been rehabbing, and today was a good day.”
Pat Surtain II Gives Dre Greenlaw Strong Endorsement
GettyDre Greenlaw #57 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media ahead of Super Bowl LVIII.
Greenlaw’s return got his Broncos teammates’ attention, too, with reigning cornerback and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II noting he “looked good out there.”
Surtain also noted Greenlaw’s extended layoff.
“Obviously, his first day back out there on the field in a minute, you know what I mean?” Surtain told reporters on October 15. “It seems like he’s very sharp on everything, on the game plan. So, very excited for him.”
Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week, is also looking forward to Greenlaw’s in-game debut.
“I think it’s awesome,” Cooper said during his media availability on Wednesday. “Obviously, we know the type of player Dre Greenlaw is. If you watch his film, and you add that type of dynamic to this defense, with him being right, it’s just gonna take us to … another level. And, I’m excited for him to return, excited for him to get the runs. And yeah. He’s been a great teammate since he’s been here. I’m just excited to see him play.”
Greenlaw could rejoin a Broncos defense ranked second in scoring and overall in Week 7.
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