Buckle up, football fans—the Denver Broncos are making some bold roster shake-ups just in time for their Week 15 showdown with the Packers, and it could make or break their season push! But here's where it gets controversial: Are these moves smart strategy or a sign of desperation in a playoff race?
In Denver, the team has bolstered their lineup by adding an inside linebacker to their official 53-man roster. On Saturday, the Broncos officially promoted Jordan Turner from the practice squad—think of it as a farm team for NFL players who aren't quite ready for full-time duty—to the active roster. This is a big step for Turner, who has been called up for three of the Broncos' last six games, where he racked up three tackles and handled 59% of the special teams plays. For him to suit up again this season, he needed this permanent spot on the 53-man list.
And this is the part most people miss: Denver didn't stop there. They've also elevated wide receiver Michael Bandy and quarterback Sam Ehlinger from the practice squad specifically for Sunday's game against Green Bay. Bandy, who's seen action in just two games this year—including a notable catch against the Houston Texans—gets a chance to shine, especially with wide receiver Pat Bryant ruled out for the matchup. Ehlinger, who has bounced between the active roster and practice squad earlier in the season, is being called up for the first time this year. For beginners in NFL lingo, "elevated" means temporarily moving a player from the practice squad to the active roster for a specific game, giving them a short-term trial run.
Adding a layer of intrigue, the Broncos re-signed tight end Marcedes Lewis to the practice squad after releasing him on Thursday. Lewis contributed in three appearances this season, playing 25% of the offensive snaps—meaning he was on the field for a quarter of Denver's play-calling opportunities.
These decisions come as Denver prepares to host the Packers on Sunday at 2:25 p.m. Mountain Time, broadcast on CBS. With playoff implications on the line, every roster tweak feels like a high-stakes gamble. But is promoting Turner now the right call, or should they have made room for someone else? And what about leaning on Ehlinger—could this be the spark the offense needs, or a risky experiment? Share your hot takes in the comments: Do you agree with these moves, or do you see a counterpoint that might surprise us all? Let's discuss!
