Guard Ben Powers returned to practice for the Denver Broncos on Thursday, participating in a limited capacity as the team continued preparations for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Powers had been sidelined from Wednesday’s practice due to a shoulder injury.
On the defensive side, Zach Allen (who had a rest day) and safety Brandon Jones (recovering from an abdomen issue) both practiced fully on Thursday after being limited earlier in the week. Jones, who missed Denver’s Week 11 victory over the Falcons, had been limited in all practices leading up to that game.
Additionally, safety P.J. Locke (thumb), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles), and wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) maintained their full participation status throughout the week.
The Broncos are set to announce player statuses for their Week 12 game against the Raiders on Friday.
RELATED: Sean Payton may have hinted at Broncos biggest 2025 NFL Draft priority
In Denver, there’s a “Joker” in town, but he’s not playing for the Broncos—a situation that might change in the 2025 offseason. Broncos head coach Sean Payton made it clear that Las Vegas Raiders’ standout rookie tight end Brock Bowers is a player he’s keeping an eye on. During his Wednesday press availability, Payton gave an unusually lengthy response when asked about Bowers, who was drafted just one pick after the Broncos took quarterback Bo Nix 12th overall. For Denver, the choice to draft Nix appears to be paying off, as the rookie QB is in the running for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Meanwhile, Bowers is making a compelling case of his own for the same award, showing off his skills as a top-tier NFL mismatch at tight end. His rapid success in Las Vegas is a strong reminder to Payton of a key area the Broncos need to address beyond this season: the tight end position.
Payton’s praise for Bowers hints at what might be Denver’s leading priority in the 2025 offseason or NFL Draft. The need for a playmaking tight end has become evident, and Payton’s comments suggest that acquiring one could be at the top of the Broncos’ wish list.
“Someone had a real good vision for him and you see — All the ‘joker traits’ means change of direction. It can’t be a little. It’s a high-end receiving trait and he can move, he can be outside and he can run a route tree maybe different than most tight ends. He certainly goes up and makes the first touchdown catch against us. When it’s happening week in and week out—we see that with the player in Detroit. We’re seeing it obviously with [Chiefs TE Travis] Kelce. We see it with [49ers TE George] Kittle. Man, that’s a weapon and it becomes a little bit more challenging when they’re at that position than when they’re outside at receiver. That’s important in this game.”
– Broncos HC Sean Payton (via team PR)
Sean Payton’s current Denver Broncos roster features a mix of young receivers he appears to trust, and while changes in that group are anticipated in the 2025 offseason, it’s clear that finding a game-changing tight end is a top priority for him. The tight end position has always been central to Payton’s offensive strategies, and those kinds of impact players—the “Joker” types—are not easy to come by.
Payton’s coaching history highlights his emphasis on elite tight ends. From his early years with the Giants and Cowboys to his tenure with the Saints, Payton has leaned on standout tight ends like Jeremy Shockey, Jason Witten, and Jimmy Graham. This trend suggests that he will prioritize finding a similar player for the Broncos’ offense. The team once hoped Greg Dulcich could fill that role, but with only six games left in the 2024 season, Dulcich’s future with the team remains uncertain.
Denver is currently getting steady, reliable contributions from Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins, but neither are viewed as transformative offensive weapons. Lucas Krull, while promising, also falls short of that “Joker” category, leaving a clear need for a dynamic pass-catching tight end who can change the game.
The 2025 NFL Draft features a limited pool of tight end prospects likely to go in the top 50 picks, with Colston Loveland from Michigan and Tyler Warren from Penn State standing out as versatile, high-ceiling options. Both have the ability to shift positions, offering the kind of flexibility Payton values in a tight end.
Payton’s enthusiastic praise for players like Brock Bowers underscores the importance he places on having a top-tier tight end. This, combined with his acknowledgment that such players are critical in the modern NFL, points to the Broncos making a major move to secure a “Joker” tight end in the offseason. Though Denver has in-house matters to address—like the contract situation with offensive tackle Garett Bolles—the search for a high-impact tight end to bolster Bo Nix’s supporting cast seems to be the franchise’s primary goal.
Acquiring a standout tight end could elevate the Broncos’ offense to the next level, providing Nix with a reliable and dynamic target in key situations. With the right “Joker” player, Denver could have the weapon they need to reshape their offensive identity and compete at a higher level.
