Broncos clear spot for Dre Greenlaw by releasing Sam Ehlinger but will re-sign him to practice squad, rule out Jonah Elliss
ENGLEWOOD – The stage is set for the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
The Broncos on Friday released third-string quarterback Sam Ehlinger to clear a roster spot for Greenlaw, who is in line to be activated Saturday off injured reserve. A source said Ehlinger will be re-signed to the practice squad.
Greenlaw, who has missed the first six games of the season due to a quad injury and has been on injured reserve the past four games, was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos also listed outside linebacker Jonah Elliss as out for the game due to a shoulder injury.
The release of Ehlinger left 52 players on the 53-man roster, opening a spot for Greenlaw to be activated. Ehlinger is a vested veteran who doesn’t have to go through waivers. Once on the practice squad, he would have three elevations available in which he would make the same weekly salary as if he were on the 53-man roster.
Greenlaw was a full participant in practice Friday for the first time this regular season. He was a limited participant on Wednesday, when he was designated for return from injured reserve, and Thursday.
“Positive,’’ Broncos coach Sean Payton said after Friday’s practice at Broncos Park about how Greenlaw has been looking. “He was able to go, move around.”
Cornerback Pat Surtain II said the Broncos are “definitiely excited” for a return of Greenlaw.
“I know he’s eager to get out there,’’ Surtain said. “We’re all eager to see him play. But he can still take his time with it. No rush with it. So we’ll see when he gets back.”
Elliss will miss his second straight game. He did not practice all week.
With Elliss out, rookie outside linebacker Que Robinson will see action for the second straight week. Payton said he looked “good” in his NFL debut in last Sunday’s 13-11 win over the New York Jets in London.
The Broncos on Friday also had tryouts for offensive linemen Cam Fleming, who played with them from 2021-24, and Marques Cox, who was with them in training camp. A source said Fleming, 33, looked good in his workout but there are no immediate plans to sign him.
