Denver signs J.T. Gray off Baltimore’s practice squad to stabilize a leaky return game while adding a versatile safety with elite kicking-game credentials. Payton called Gray a difference maker and will evaluate him next week to see when he can contribute. Gray’s Saints pedigree and All-Pro special-teaming punch give Denver immediate upside on kick and punt coverage as Week 6’s return woes linger in memory.

Gray, a 98-game veteran with 103 tackles and 2.5 sacks, could shift field position and create more return opportunities if healthy. The move comes after a 72-yard Jets kickoff return and a Broncos unit that ranked poorly in kickoff/punt returns, signaling a clear emphasis on special-teams impact entering a critical stretch.

Week 7 bye-week chaos hits early with Bills and Ravens idle, but the bigger wave arrives in Week 8 as six teams sit out. Build for Week 8 now: stash Week 8 fill-ins at QB (Dart, McCarthy, Penix Jr., Flacco), at RB (Vidal, Marks, Gainwell, Allgeier, Spears, Miller), at WR (Nacua, Smith-Njigba, St. Brown, Doubs, Downs, Pierce), and at TE (McBride, LaPorta, Bowers). Stream DSTs: Bills, Chargers, Falcons. Don’t ignore kickers—benching them is a trap.

Rosters should anticipate bye-week landmines by prioritizing backups with clear paths to volume in Week 8. The piece highlights specific matchups and fallbacks to weather the waiver-wire rush, emphasizing depth at every position and smart streaming defenses as Week 8 approaches.