4 Broncos players who have a chance to step up amid injuries vs. Packers

Travis Wakeman

4 Broncos players who have a chance to step up amid injuries vs. Packers image

With the 2024 regular season quickly approaching, players deep on the depth chart are running out of chances to leave their mark. For the Denver Broncos, they will get a prime-time television slot to do so on Sunday. 

The Broncos will host the Green Bay Packers in the second preseason game after some joint practices with the NFC North team. With only two preseason games remaining, this may be the last chance for some players to make their case for a roster spot. 

Broncos insider Mike Klis reported that only 60 or 61 players remain in the mix for the 53-man roster. That means a lot of players have already been scratched off the final list. 

 

It's unlikely that cornerbacks Levi Wallace (hamstring) and Art Green (concussion) play in this game. In addition, safety Delarrin Turner-Yell remains on the PUP list. With that in mind, these players must make the most of their opportunities against Green Bay. 

Opportunities could exist in Broncos' secondary

Omar Brown, Safety

The Broncos need more depth at safety, somehow, from somewhere. It looks to be the biggest concern heading into the season as the Broncos released Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason. 

Even as an undrafted free agent, Omar Brown has a chance to make the team due to the lack of depth at the position. But he's had a quiet summer. He needs a play or two in this game.

Keidron Smith, Safety 

Keidron Smith has always been pegged as a practice squad guy at best, and that may still be the case, but he had an interception last week against the Colts. What if he could do it again against the Packers?

It might not be enough to put him on the roster but it would create a discussion at the least and at a position where the team lacks options, that's not a bad thing.

Kaleb Hayes, Cornerback

The Broncos claimed Kaleb Hayes off waivers and even with a 90-player roster, that's still a move you only make if you really believe it's worth it. Hayes has little time to work towards making the team, but a big performance in this game would be quite meaningful. 

Tremon Smith, Cornerback

The veteran made the team last year but he was just kind of there and now seems to be a long shot to make the team this year. But the Broncos need to figure out the pecking order at cornerback and Smith could still be in that mix, especially if he gets a shot in the return game, his true specialty. 

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Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.