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.

Denver heads into the opener with key front-seven absences. Dre Greenlaw is ruled out with a quad issue, and Malcolm Roach is sidelined by a Grade 2 calf strain that could cost several weeks. Denver is leaning on Justin Strnad to anchor the middle, with Karene Reid and Levelle Bailey factoring into the rotation as the team contemplates elevating Bailey from the practice squad. Expect Eyioma Uwazurike and Jordan Jackson to shoulder more interior duties as the Broncos adjust on the fly.

With Roach potentially missing extended time, the run defense and interior pressures will hinge on Uwazurike’s burst and Jackson’s ability to hold the point. Nate Adkins is out, and Dondrea Tillman was limited, so the depth chart tightens and fantasy managers in IDP leagues will want to monitor snap shares closely as Week 1 unfolds.

Denver leans on inside linebacker depth for Week 1, calling up Levelle Bailey, Jordan Turner, and Garret Wallow from the practice squad to backstop possible injuries to Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw’s return. The club plans to manage pitch counts and rotate younger players as a prudent Week 1 approach, with up to two practice squad elevations possible for game day against the Titans at Empower Field. Expect Adam Prentice to support those elevations as the team weighs veteran rehab with fresh legs in a season opener.

Injury management and roster flexibility drive Denver’s Week 1 strategy. Singleton and Greenlaw are monitored closely as Denver weighs smart usage, while the practice squad trio provides insurance and potential breakout depth. The Titans visit Mile High on Sept. 7, and the Broncos will test how their LB depth handles a fast, physical Week 1 test while preserving health for a longer playoff push.

Denver capped camp with another undrafted rookie on the initial roster: Karene Reid from Utah, a move that continues the Broncos’ long UDFA tradition. Reid posted eight tackles, a TFL, a QB hit, an INT and a fumble in the preseason, edging Levelle Bailey for the final ILB spot and signaling deeper defensive depth for 2025. Bailey ended up on the practice squad, keeping him in Denver’s orbit and preserving a potential active-roster path. Payton highlighted a six-team chase for Reid and Bailey, underscoring the program’s post-draft recruitment strategy.

Denver’s top-30 visit approach and in-spring outreach are framed as a practical, data-driven method to identify draftable traits in players who slip through the cracks. The preseason finale against New Orleans helped the staff evaluate practice-squad potential, not just active-roster needs, laying groundwork for a deeper roster and a robust pipeline of development-friendly options behind veterans in the middle of the defense.