Week 2 pits the Denver Broncos against the Indianapolis Colts with a tight inactives slate and a quirky emergency QB wrinkle. Sam Ehlinger is listed as inactive but dressed as Denver’s third emergency quarterback, a setup that complicates roster decisions as Tyler Badie earns the nod as the preferred third running back over Jaleel McLaughlin. Adkins and Greenlaw are sidelined by injury, while Dre Greenlaw remains limited and Que Robinson and Sai’vion Jones are healthy scratches as depth and special-teams emphasis shape the game plan. On the Colts side, Ward and Jaylon Jones are out, Liatu Latu downgraded, and Riley Leonard handles emergency duties with Will Mallory, Luke Tenuta and Will Mallory providing pass-catching and blocking options. The result is a tactical chess match where depth, special teams, and a few surprise usage calls could swing fantasy leagues.

Injury notes, depth charts, and the emergency QB rule add intrigue for fantasy managers: Badie’s role could see a bump if the Broncos lean on ground-and-pound and third-down packages, while Colts adjustments at cornerback might open passing lanes for Denver’s receivers. Keep an eye on how practice squad eligibility and roster moves could shift these inactives before Week 3.

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.