Broncos activate Andre Mintze, make flurry of roster moves ahead of Week 17 at Chargers

The Broncos won Saturday. Amid a microorganism outbreak up of the Week 17 roadworthy showdown against the Chargers, Denver didn’t spot immoderate much players connected the COVID-19/reserve list.

Denver activated rookie extracurricular linebacker Andre Mintze from the COVID list/injured reserve, amid a flurry of different roster moves. And the Broncos didn’t suffer No. 1 wideout Courtland Sutton, whom manager Vic Fangio said mightiness beryllium going connected the COVID database this weekend.

Still, the Broncos (7-8) participate Sunday’s crippled astatine SoFi Stadium down 9 starters and with 16 players connected the COVID-19/reserve list, 14 of them from the progressive roster.

Three starters — wideout Jerry Jeudy, extracurricular linebacker Bradley Chubb and wrong linebacker Baron Browning — tested affirmative Friday, aft 2 starters tested affirmative Thursday (right tackle Bobby Massie and cornerback Bryce Callahan) and the Broncos canceled signifier for the archetypal clip this season.

Nose tackle Mike Purcell tested affirmative Monday but could beryllium disposable to play Sunday nether the NFL’s caller protocols for vaccinated players. Practice squad lineman Jonathan Harris, activated from the COVID database and elevated to the main roster Saturday, volition supply extent up beforehand defensively.

Wednesday’s positives, which included wideout Tim Patrick and dime backmost Caden Sterns, volition beryllium out. Plus, starting backmost Teddy Bridgewater is sidelined (concussion protocol), meaning backup Drew Lock volition get his 2nd commencement this play aft the Broncos mislaid 17-13 successful Las Vegas past week to each but snuff retired their playoff hopes.

The lack of Jeudy and Patrick volition person the Broncos’ wideout corps looking wholly antithetic connected Sunday. While Sutton is the unit’s apical target, Kendall Hinton and returner Diontae Spencer volition beryllium Lock’s main receivers with Teddy Bridgewater sidelined successful concussion protocol, portion rookie Seth Williams volition marque his NFL debut and Rico Gafford (practice squad elevation) is successful enactment for his Broncos debut.

In summation to activating Mintze and Harris, and the elevation of Gafford, the Broncos made a fig of different moves to capable retired their roster. Tackle Quinn Bailey, information Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, tackle Drew Himmelman, antiaircraft extremity Marquiss Spencer and wrong linebacker Barrington Wade were elevated from the signifier squad arsenic COVID replacements, and cornerback Rojesterman Farris was a modular elevation.

Mintze volition spot snaps astatine extracurricular linebacker with Bradley Chubb and Jonathon Cooper some connected the COVID list, portion Bailey volition beryllium the backup plaything tackle down close tackle Cam Fleming (starting for Massie) and near tackle Garett Bolles. With Browning successful protocols and Kenny Young questionable (concussion), Wade provides extent astatine wrong linebacker down Micah Kiser and Justin Strand.