Denver Broncos made multiple roster adjustments ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, signaling a proactive approach as they fine-tune their lineup late in the season. While the most impactful move came in the trenches, Denver also addressed depth at key positions as part of a broader roster shuffle.
Ben Powers returns to anchor offensive line
The headline decision for Denver was the activation of starting left guard Ben Powers from injured reserve. Broncos officially returned Powers to the 53-man roster on Saturday, marking a significant boost for an offense that felt his absence over the past several weeks.
“Denver activated guard Ben Powers from injured reserve to the 53-man roster on Saturday, the team announced,” DenverBroncos.com’s Aric DiLalla wrote on December 20. “Powers, who suffered a biceps injury in Week 5 against the Eagles, was designated for return from injured reserve and returned to practice ahead of Week 15.
“Prior to his injury, Powers started 39 consecutive games for Denver Broncos after signing with the team ahead of the 2023 season.”
That level of continuity underscores why his return carries weight. Denver’s offensive line stability took a noticeable hit after Powers went down, particularly in run protection and interior consistency.
Payton urges patience with reintegration
Despite activating Powers, head coach Sean Payton made it clear that Broncos are taking a measured approach with the veteran lineman’s return.
“Understand this: there’s always that transition period,” Payton told reporters on December 19 during his final media availability of the week before the Jaguars game. “We’re never going to throw someone in there.”
Those comments suggest Denver is prioritizing long-term effectiveness over immediate workload, even as the stakes rise late in the season.
Additional roster tweaks add depth
Beyond the offensive line, Denver Broncos also made complementary roster adjustments, including reinforcing the quarterback room with a power-throwing option to bolster depth. While Powers’ activation remains the focal point, the additional move reflects Denver’s intent to stay prepared across multiple positions as the schedule tightens.
Interestingly, Denver’s passing offense has shown flashes even without Powers in the lineup. However, the team continues to feel the absence of starting running back J.K. Dobbins, who remains sidelined and unavailable for the Jaguars matchup.