Broncos activate WR Pat Bryant from the IR and place DL Eyioma Uwazurike on the IR

The Denver Broncos announced today that they have activated wide receiver Pat Bryant from the injured reserve to the active roster and also placed defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

The team also announced it signed reserve cornerback Sam Fresch Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster.

Bryant returning to the offense will give the Broncos' passing offense a big boost moving forward. The second-year wide receiver was the star of training camp and was establishing himself as a key member of the offense prior to his injury. Now, he will join Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton as the Broncos' starting wide receivers moving forward.

As for Uwazurike, this is a bit of a loss for the Broncos' defense. He has been a key rotational piece who has played significant snaps thus far this season. With him sidelined, I wonder if we will see rookie defensive lineman Tyler Onyedim make his debut for the team tomorrow vs. the Panthers? He was the Broncos' first pick in April's 2026 NFL Draft, but has been a weekly inactive thus far this season. With Uwazurike now sidelined for at least four games, Onyedim may get a shot to prove himself. The team also has veteran Jordan Jackson on the roster, whom they could use as well. We could also see second-year defensive lineman Sai'vion Jones get some added snaps as well.

Former UFL player Sam Fresch Jr. has spent the season on the Broncos' practice squad and has been elevated a handful of times while Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss were sidelined. Now, with reserve cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine ruled out for Sunday's game, the team decided to add Fresch Jr. to the 53-man roster. He'll serve as the Broncos 5th corner while also giving the team another player with return ability in the kicking game.

So, the Broncos received some good news of the offensive side of the ball with the return of Pat Bryant, but also received some bad news with the loss of Uwazurike.