Seven Broncos sat Week 1 out, opening unusual workload shifts for the backfield. Jaleel McLaughlin was inactive, prompting Tyler Badie to serve as the RB3 behind Dobbins and Harvey, and Badie drew six targets but only two receptions for 16 yards. Denver’s QBartooth Jarrett Stidham was active but did not play. The absence of Greenlaw and Adkins leaves room for future rotation adjustments as the Broncos head to Indianapolis for Week 2.

From a fantasy edge perspective, Badie’s six targets signal potential in passing-down situations if the RB3 role holds next week. Watch whether McLaughlin returns or if another back steps in, as the skew toward the passing game could lift Broncos’ non-elite RBs and any injury-motivated shifts carryover into Week 2 against the Colts.

Denver's Week 1 inactive list against Tennessee includes seven players: Dre Greenlaw, Nate Adkins, Jaleel McLaughlin, Que Robinson, Sai'vion Jones, Sam Ehlinger, and Frank Crum. McLaughlin being a healthy scratch opens a path for Tyler Badie as the third back behind J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey, a scenario fantasy managers should monitor as touches could shift if the game script favors Denver's ground game.

Ehlinger will dress as an emergency third quarterback per NFL rules, a reminder that Week 1 could feature a late-inning QB contingency. Meanwhile, the Broncos' depth at outside linebacker and DL signals a rotating early-season approach, with Robinson and Jones competing for roster-time shots.

Fantasy takeaway: prioritize backfield depth and opportunistic plays, especially if Badie receives elevated usage and Denver leans on short-yardage packages while Ehlinger stays mostly ceremonial in the quarterback rotation.

Roach's calf strain sidelines him for at least four games, forcing Denver to lean on Jordan Jackson and Eyioma Uwazurike for early-season interior disruption. The Broncos promoted Sam Ehlinger to the 53-man roster as an emergency No. 3 quarterback, ensuring depth on game days without counting toward the active roster. Adam Prentice and Levelle Bailey were elevated from the practice squad to bolster fullback and linebacker depth ahead of Week 1 against Tennessee, while SF's injury to Dre Greenlaw looms as a defensive angle for fantasy managers.

Denver's early-season path leans on improved DL rotation, with Roach out and Jackson/Uwazurike stepping up. Ehlinger’s return adds a mobile quarterback option in emergency scenarios, and Prentice Bailey provides insurance at crucial HB/LB spots. Week 1 becomes a test of depth, roster construction, and adaptive game plans as the Broncos navigate Roach's absence and SF's defensive matchup.

Bo Nix and teammates from the Broncos turned a rain-soaked Colorado night into a subtle fantasy signal, jamming with Riley Green at Red Rocks and gifting him a Broncos jersey. The moment highlights a tightly knit locker room vibe and signals depth in the QB room as Denver heads toward Week 1 with Tennessee on the horizon.

Off the field, Nix’s visibility pairs with a familiar arms-length QB group in Stidham and Ehlinger, while Wil Lutz, Mike McGlinchey, and Brandon Jones anchor the周 offense and defense. For fantasy, keep an eye on how this chemistry translates to on-field consistency, QB competition dynamics, and how Lutz’s leg and Denver’s run game could shape weekly scoring.

The Broncos’ Year 2025 opener against the Titans could set the tone for notable value in a crowded QB room and a resilient special-teams unit, where off-field camaraderie and leadership often foreshadow real on-field upside.

Ehlinger chose to stay on Denver's practice squad after turning down offers to join 53-man rosters, a surprising move Payton called a credit to the program. The Broncos’ QB room now leans on Webb’s development and a veteran-stabilizing presence from Stidham, with the organization betting on a bright, long-term path rather than a quick roster move.

Davis Webb’s offseason promotion and the staff-building around him are repeatedly cited as a key factor in Ehlinger’s decision, underscoring Denver’s commitment to player development and a flexible offense for the future.