Denver signed Adam Prentice, reuniting with Sean Payton and adding depth behind Michael Burton at fullback. Prentice’s Saints tenure and Broncos roots loom large as Payton continues to recruit Saints alumni in Colorado. Burton’s hamstring and Nate Adkins’ ankle surgery create a practical window for Prentice to contribute in preseason and potentially shape special-teams and goal-line packages. Don’t expect fantasy gold here, but the move matters for depth and coaching trust in Payton’s system.

Prentice’s return reinforces Payton’s familiarity-driven approach, signaling a flexible, blocking-focused backfield with a veteran edge. The Saints connection, plus Broncos’ ongoing roster reshaping, underscores how Payton’s network-specific signings can influence camp competition and depth-chart decisions—especially in short-yardage and special-teams roles. In dynasty terms, this is depth-inflated value, with upside tied to Burton’s health and Adkins’ recovery timeline.

Denver’s depth at guard took a hit as Nick Gargiulo was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending injury, leaving the Broncos with veteran backups Calvin Throckmorton and Will Sherman now tasked with larger roles in the interior. Denver immediately pivoted to the free-agent market, signing Adam Prentice at fullback as Michael Burton deals with a hamstring issue and Nate Adkins is sidelined by an ankle procedure. Prentice, a CSU alum with long ties to Payton and Paton, provides a seasoned blocker and special-teams option to stabilize run- and pass-blocking schemes while the rookie Gargiulo recovers. The club is balancing a tightened depth chart as it prepares for the season, with Prieskorn taking some FB looks in run plays as Prentice arrives to reinforce the position.

The Denver Broncos placed Nick Gargiulo on season-ending injured reserve after a knee injury in Saturday night’s preseason win against Arizona. Gargiulo, a 6-5, 310-pound seventh-round pick from South Carolina, was vying for a swing guard/center role before the injury ends his 2025 season prior to the 53-man roster. To fill Gargiulo’s spot on the 91-man offseason roster, Denver signed fullback Adam Prentice, a move aimed at bolstering blocking and depth behind Michael Burton and Nate Adkins, who are dealing with injuries.

Broncos injury news also includes rookie corner Joshua Pickett with a wrist/thumb issue and outside linebacker Garret Wallow leaving the game with an ankle injury. Burton (hamstring) and Adkins (ankle) were limited as the team continues to piece together its Week 1 picture. Prentice’s addition signals a depth-forward approach at the fullback/linebacker mix rather than a sweeping lineup shift, as Denver navigates roster decisions ahead of the regular season.

Fantasy managers should monitor how Denver reshapes interior-line rotation and how Prentice is used in goal-line and short-yardage plays, especially with Burton and Adkins sidelined. Gargiulo’s IR clears roster-space chatter, but the Broncos’ move to add Prentice underscores a practical, depth-conscious plan rather than a dramatic positional overhaul as the team approaches Week 1.

Denver Broncos bring back Adam Prentice at fullback after two injuries at the position, a move designed to stabilize the blocking game and short-yardage packages as Week 1 approaches. Prentice reunites with Sean Payton, a relationship that helped him land in Denver after stints with the Saints. With Michael Burton sidelined by a hamstring injury that could linger, and Nate Adkins unavailable due to an ankle procedure, Prentice has a real shot to crack the Week 1 roster and contribute where Denver needs a reliable lead blocker. The situation underscores Denver’s emphasis on a disciplined power run game early in the season and creates a clearer path for roster decisions as the depth chart shakes out.

The move signals a practical, scheme-fit upgrade rather than a flashy upgrade. Prentice’s familiarity with Payton’s system and his college background give him a legitimate chance to assume lead-blocking duties and occasional goal-line work, even if touches remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor Prentice if Burton’s return is delayed; any uptick in playing time could nudge his fantasy relevance in deeper leagues, especially in later weeks if Denver leans more on two-back or short-yardage looks.

The Broncos rode to a productive showing from the backups in their preseason tilt with the Cardinals, but the night will be remembered for a worrying knee injury to Nick Gargiulo, a seventh‑round rookie from South Carolina who spent 2024 on Denver’s practice squad and had been pushing for a roster spot this season. The injury, seen as potentially season‑ending, compounds Denver’s already lengthy injury report as the team continues to sort depth on the line. Veteran disruptions also loom with Matt Henningsen and Johnny Walker Jr. out for the year, while Drew Sanders and Nate Adkins are expected to miss the start of the season, thinning interior and tackle depth by design.

Fantasy and dynasty managers should take note of the ripple effects. Gargiulo’s loss tightens the competition for reserve OL jobs and could shift who gets late‑season opportunities or practice squad stashes. The Broncos will lean on the next‑man‑up group to absorb more reps in the weeks ahead, and the Cardinals game underscored how critical depth on the line becomes as the roster transitions from preseason depth to regular-season roles. Updates on Gargiulo’s prognosis will matter for late‑round picks and top backup targets alike.