Denver on Thursday waived 41-year-old Marcedes Lewis, but the team is hoping to keep him in the fold.
A source referred to the move as procedural in nature and the Broncos are expecting to re-sign him to the practice squad, assuming he clears waivers.
Lewis has played in four games for Denver this year and has used all three of his practice-squad elevations. That means in order to play again this season, the Broncos would have to reinstate him on the 53-man roster. Until then, assuming he ends up back on the practice squad, Lewis will be a strong veteran presence in the locker room and will provide insurance at tight end.
The Broncos are expecting fellow tight end Nate Adkins to return to action this weekend after missing the past five games with a knee injury. He’s been a limited participant in practice each of the past two weeks, but waiving Lewis is a clear indication that the team expects Adkins to play against Green Bay.
Denver did not immediately fill Lewis’ spot on the 53-man roster, but two moves look like logical possibilities: one is to re-instate guard Ben Powers from injured reserve, though a source told The Post this week that he wasn’t in Denver’s initial plan for Green Bay and that activation next week is more likely. The other move is a promotion for inside linebacker Jordan Turner, who has used all three of his practice-squad elevations and is a key special-teams player now that Denver lost Garret Wallow on waivers last week.
Lewis spent training camp hoping a team would call, but was unsure if he’d actually get a chance to play in the NFL again. When the Broncos lost Lucas Krull and Adkins in succession, they called Lewis thanks to a mutual connection between him and coach Sean Payton through Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. Lewis was ready.
When he debuted earlier this year, it became his 20th NFL season.
Now, assuming he clears waivers and returns to the practice squad, he’ll do so unsure of if or when he might see the field again this season.
Broncos injury picture. The Broncos’ injury report stayed steady from Wednesday to Thursday. Each of Denver’s four players listed had the same participation level for a second straight day.
DT D.J. Jones (ankle) participated fully, Adkins and Powers (bicep) were limited and WR Pat Bryant (hamstring) did not participate.
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