The Denver Broncos shook up their roster ahead of their âThursday Night Footballâ showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders, parting ways with veteran safety and special teams maven J.T. Gray, after the trade deadline.
The Broncos were among the many teams that stood pat on making any trades, but Grayâs departure marked a noteworthy day to begin Week 9, nonetheless.
For the Broncos, it is the end of an era that lasted one game.
Broncos Waive Injured Former Saints S J.T. Gray
GettyJ.T. Gray #48 of the New Orleans Saints reacts following the play against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Broncos signed Gray to their active roster from the Baltimore Ravensâ practice squad in October ahead of their Week 7 showdown against the New York Giants. He got into his first game with the Broncos in Week 9 against the Houston Texans.
The 2021 Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro logged 21 snaps, all on special teams, per Pro Football Reference, but he did not record a stat.
He had been listed as a non-participant on the Broncosâ first injury report in Week 10.
â#Broncos released J.T. Gray with an injury designation, per the wire,â The Denver Postâs Parker Gabriel reported on X on November 4. âSpecial teamer was up for the first time Sunday vs. Houston and injured his hamstring covering a 68-yard Jeremy Crawshaw punt.â
Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who, along with head coach Sean Payton, had Gray with the New Orleans Saints, spoke highly of the veteran after he signed with the team.
âJ.T. Gray, in the 30-plus years Iâve been coaching, is the best coverage player that Iâve coached. Last year, he was a Second Team All-Pro. Heâs been three times, All-Pro in the last five years. Pro Bowler,â Rizzi told reporters in October.
âHe brings an added dimension to the coverage aspect of it. Heâs a really good, well-rounded player, but coverage is what he does best. And so, listen. We had the ability to go out and get him. And, obviously, has some familiarity with our scheme, our system, obviously, with Sean and myself. And so, it just seemed like a natural âfit.â
Grayâs injury led to his release, but it was not the only notable one for the Broncos, who held a walkthrough on Tuesday after estimating practice participation on Monday.
Broncos Deliver Good News Despite Lengthy Injury Report
GettyBrandon Jones #22 of the Denver Broncos huddles with teammates before facing the Buffalo Bills.
The Broncos listed seven players as nonparticipants on Tuesday. Of that group, four progressed to limited sessions on Wednesday. The Broncos added kicker Wil Lutz to the list of DNPs on Wednesday, though with an illness rather than an injury.
DBs Brandon Jones (foot), P.J. Locke (neck), and Riley Moss (ankle) all progressed.
Ditto for wide receiver and All-Pro return specialist Marvin Mims, who suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys and missed Week 8 against the Texans.
Moreover, the Broncos upgraded defensive linemen D.J. Jones (knee) and John Franklin-Myers (shoulder) and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (thumb) to full sessions. There was no progress from tight end Nate Adkins (knee) or All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II (pectoral).
The Broncos will look to earn their eighth victory of the season on Thursday against the Raiders.
The Raiders traded wide receiver Jakobi Myers, per his request, to the Jacksonville Jaguars before the deadline. The Broncos will host the Jaguars in Week 16.
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