Broncos Activate WR Pat Bryant From IR, Place DL Eyioma Uwazurike on IR
Denver gets its second-year receiver back from an ankle injury for Sunday at Carolina but loses a starting defensive lineman for at least four games
The Broncos have wide receiver Pat Bryant back. Denver activated the second-year receiver from injured reserve Saturday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, clearing him to play Sunday against the Panthers in Charlotte.
Bryant hurt his ankle in Denver's Week 4 game against the 49ers and missed the minimum four games on IR. He returned to practice Wednesday, which opened his window, and the Broncos didn't wait long to bring him back. Before the injury, he had nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown in four games.
Denver activated wide receiver Pat Bryant from injured reserve.View on X →
Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter): Denver activated wide receiver Pat Bryant from injured reserve.
He rejoins a passing game that has leaned heavily on Courtland Sutton, who has been the only Denver receiver playing close to every down lately. Bryant gives Bo Nix another option who already produced early in the season. The timing is good for Bo Nix, who has four total touchdowns over the last two weeks as Denver scored 30 and 28 points, its two best outputs of the season.
The corresponding move costs the defense a starter. Denver placed defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike on IR with a shoulder injury. Uwazurike had started seven of the first eight games, with 17 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss and five quarterback hits while playing 52 percent of the defensive snaps. He'll miss at least the next four games.
The Broncos also promoted cornerback Sean Fresch Jr. from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and elevated safety Taylor Rapp and running back Cody Schrader for the game.
Denver (6-2) brings a four-game winning streak into Sunday's game at Carolina (3-4), its last game before the Week 10 bye.