The Denver Broncos crept past the New York Jets on Sunday morning in London to hoist themselves to a 4-2 record that brings them joint top of the AFC West, alongside the Los Angeles Chargers.
Going on three consecutive wins, and with the playoffs plans very much still in sight, the Broncos are looking to be without any clear weakness at this point in time.
And on Tuesday news broke that Denver’s former fifth round running back selection, Audric Estime, had been released from the Philadelphia Eagles‘ practice squad, per Ian Rapoport.
Broncos Rushing Attack Has Been A Surprise Success In 2025
Much was made of the Broncos’ lack of both strength and depth in the running back room prior to the 2025 NFL Draft, when the team subsequently selected UCF’s RJ Harvey in the second round.
Many believed that it would be a quick ascension to the RB1 spot for Harvey. However that has not been the case this season to date, as fellow post-draft free agent addition, JK Dobbins, is having what is looking like his best season to date, racking up 442 yards off of 91 rushes, averaging a very strong 4.9 yards-per-carry – in addition to 4 touchdowns on the ground.
The former division rival with the Chargers has not been a huge threat in the receiving game, managing just 23 yards off of 9 receptions – but much of that is also due to the multitude of options quarterback, Bo Nix, has in his pass-catching arsenal.
Could Audric Estime Return To Denver?
The feeling – even after Dobbins and Harvey were added to the room – was not that Estime looked to be the odd man out in the rushing attack, with ex 2023 undrafted free agent, Jaleel McLaughlin, thought of as the more vulnerable of the two to get cut during late-August’s final cuts for the initial 53-man roster.
Both Estime’s strong finish in his rookie season in 2024, alongside the fact that the team had invested prior draft capital in him – even if it was only a mid-day 3 pick – had many believe that his spot was safer than McLaughlin’s, or perhaps third down back, Tyler Badie‘s.
But alas, the former Notre Dame standout was released and subsequently signed to the Eagles‘ practice squad, where he remained until his release.
Despite the Eagles facing issues with the auxiliary options from their RB room – including an injury earlier in the season to Will Shipley – the team opted to trade for former Jaguars tailback, Tank Bigsby, instead of elevating Estime to the active roster for game-days (and perhaps beyond).
At this point, it would not be shocking to see Estime revert back to his old stomping ground in Colorado, if his old team will have him back. However, at this point he is more likely to land on the practice squad – where the Broncos currently have no other running backs.
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