The Denver Broncos got exciting news on Wednesday, their first day of practice before taking on the New York Jets in London in Week 6. Broncos veteran defensive lineman Malcolm Roach is tracking toward making his return following the latest official move.
Roach is in his fifth NFL season, and his second with the Broncos.
The veteran D-tackle has yet to suit up this season, but he manned a significant role for the Broncos in 2024.
Broncos Announce Decision on Malcolm Roach
GettyMalcolm Roach #97 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a tackle versus the Las Vegas Raiders.
Roach began his career as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints out of the University of Texas in 2020 under now-Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who held the same role for the NFC squad at the time.
Reunited with Payton in Denver, Roach has been a valued member of the Broncos’ bench.
“We’ve designated DT Malcolm Roach for return from IR,” the Broncos announced in a post on X on October 8.
“He had good work today,” Payton told reporters about Roach after practice on Wednesday.
Roach is on an expiring two-year, $7 million contract that he signed with the Broncos in free agency in 2024.
Malcolm Roach News Draws Strong Reactions
GettyMalcolm Roach #97 and John Franklin-Myers #98 of the Denver Broncos celebrate after a sack against the Baltimore Ravens.
Roach, 27, set career-highs of 43 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and recorded the first forced fumble and recovery of his career with the Broncos in 2024. He also set a career high with 489 snaps played, per Pro Football Reference.
Roach has embraced his part-time role in the Broncos’ defense.
He also contributes to the Broncos’ special teams, and the reactions to his potential impending return drew telling reactions.
“The Broncos have designated DT Malcolm Roach to return from IR,” DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens posted on X, following the initial report. “A big addition to the Broncos’ defense can now return at any point.”
“Huge for the Broncos and the defense,” Sleeper Broncos posted on October 8.
Roach has been a career backup, logging one start for the Broncos in 2024 while appearing in all 17 regular-season games and their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Broncos On Tight Timeline With Veteran DT
GettyMalcolm Roach #97 of the Denver Broncos celebrates against the New Orleans Saints.
It is important to note that the Broncos have only given themselves the option to bring Roach back to the active roster from IR, and not necessarily that he will face the Jets in Week 6.
The Broncos have three weeks to make a final determination about Roach’s status.
“If Roach is not activated within the next 21 days, he will revert to injured reserve for the remainder of the season,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on October 8. “He was eligible to return as early as Week 5.
“Each team may designate as many eight players to return from IR during the regular season, and Roach is the first player from IR who has officially returned to practice. When the team made its initial 53-man roster moves, Denver also designated linebacker Drew Sanders as a player who would be eligible to return, but he has not yet returned to practice.”
Additionally, the Broncos’ practice report on Wednesday revealed that starting left guard Ben Powers sat out, as expected, with his biceps injury.
However, outside backer Jonah Elliss also missed the session.
Roach returning would be another boost for a Broncos defense that is trending toward being even better than they were last season, despite injuries to players like the veteran DT or LBs like Sanders and 2025 offseason free agent pickup Dre Greenlaw.
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