Signature victory at Dallas keeps Broncos in playoff mix
The Denver Broncos are riding high after their biggest win since Super Bowl 50NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM #84 - TIGHT END - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
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Back in action Okwuegbunam (knee) has returned to Sunday's game against the Cowboys, George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam aggravated his knee injury and was labeled questionable to return early in the second half, but he'll play through the issue and is back on the field for Denver.
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Aggravates knee injury Okwuegbunam exited Sunday's game against the Cowboys with a knee injury, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam was questionable for Sunday's contest due to a knee injury, and it appears he aggravated the injury. He started in place of Noah Fant (illness) and caught four of five targets for 25 yards prior to exiting the game.
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Active in Week 9 Okwuegbunam (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Dallas, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Impact With Noah Fant out of commission due to a bout with COVID-19, Okwuegbunam will get the start at tight end and likely earn a majority share of snaps afforded Broncos tight ends with just Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck to contend with at the position. Okwuegbunam's practice reps were capped this week due to a knee injury, though, so it's not certain that he'll be the unquestioned No. 1 TE. On the season, he's been on point as a receiver, hauling in 12 of 13 passes for 91 yards and one touchdown.
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable Week 9 Okwuegbunam (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game versus the Cowboys, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam was limited at practice this week by the knee injury, but he may be able to play Sunday in Dallas. If available, the 23-year-old could have a larger role in Denver's aerial attack, as Broncos head coach Vic Fangio suggested Friday that Noah Fant (illness) won't be ready to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's contest, per Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.
NOVEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Prescott plans to start as Cowboys face post-Miller Broncos
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is set to return after missing a game with a calf strainNOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Coach, GM give Shumur measured support as Broncos sputter
The Broncos are averaging fewer than 20 points per game and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has taken a lot of heat from fans for Denver's wheezing offenseNOVEMBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Limited practice Wednesday Okwuegbunam was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a knee injury, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam was previously sidelined Weeks 5 through 7 due to a hamstring injury, but he returned to action in Sunday's win over Washington and played 49 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps and hauled in all three of his targets for 34 yards. He's now contending with a new injury, but the fact that he was on the practice field in any capacity to begin Week 9 suggests he'll likely be ready to go for this weekend's game in Dallas. If cleared to play, Okwuegbunam could step into a larger role in Denver's passing attack after top tight end Noah Fant (illness) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.
NOVEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Three grabs in return Okwuegbunam caught all three of his targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 17-10 win over Washington.
Impact Okwuegbunam was activated off injured reserve Saturday ahead of the matchup with Washington, returning from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 5. In his return, the tight end played on 49 percent of the team's offensive snaps. His usage would suggest that the 23-year-old could continue to eat into starter Noah Fant's target share as the year goes on. Nonetheless, Okwuegbunam carries little fantasy value as the No. 2 tight end in Denver outside of an injury to Fant. Okwuegbunam and the Broncos will take on the Cowboys in Week 8.
NOVEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos block 2 field goals in 17-10 win over Washington
Justin Simmons and Denver’s defense held after a fumble gave Washington the ball back, and the Broncos blocked two field goals on their way to a 17-10 win that stopped a four-game...OCTOBER 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Returns from IR Okwuegbunam (hamstring) was activated off injured reserve Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact The Broncos activated both Okwuegbunam and Jerry Jeudy (ankle) ahead of Sunday's matchup, setting the duo up to make their respective returns. Okwuegbunam will still operate behind Noah Fant as the No. 2 tight end, but the Missouri product seemingly has carved out a bigger role in his second season with the team, tallying nine receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown in the four games prior to his injury.
OCTOBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos hope Jeudy's return vs. Washington is their elixir
The Denver Broncos are hoping the return of star receiver Jerry Jeudy will jolt them back into the win column this weekend against WashingtonOCTOBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No setbacks at practice Okwuegbunam (hamstring) hasn't experienced any setbacks since returning to practice Tuesday, Ryan O'Halloran of The Denver Post reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam remains on injured reserve, but the Broncos will have a 21-day window to evaluate him for activation after he was designated to return Tuesday. Once activated, the tight end should reclaim duties as the Broncos' No. 2 option at the position behind Noah Fant.
OCTOBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Injury Report: WR Jerry Jeudy, TE Albert Okwuegbunam look good in practice as possible return nears Jeudy has not played since Week 1, while Okwuegbunam suffered a hamstring injury in practice ahead of Week 5.
OCTOBER 27, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Broncos' new linebackers aim to get up to speed quickly
The Denver Broncos welcomed two new linebackers Tuesday after acquiring them over the weekend in a pair of trades with the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles RamsOCTOBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ready to practice Denver designated Okwuegbunam (hamstring) for return from injured reserve Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam is thus eligible to resume practicing as of Tuesday, but because he's still on IR, the Broncos won't have to disclose the extent of his participation until he officially rejoins the 53-man roster. With that in mind, gauging whether Okwuegbunam is on pace to play Sunday against Washington could be difficult, but whenever he's brought off IR within then next 21 days, he should step back in as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant. Before he was deactivated Oct. 9 due to the hamstring injury, Okwuegbunam recorded nine receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets through Denver's first four games.
OCTOBER 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos designate TE Albert Okwuegbunam and LB Jonas Griffith for return from IR, make series of other roster moves Okwuegbunam and Griffith are eligible to return to game action as early as this weekend.
OCTOBER 26, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Nearing return Okwuegbunam (hamstring) is expected to return to practice following the Broncos' Week 7 matchup with Washington, Ben Swanson of the team's official website reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam has been on IR since Oct. 9. While he is expected to return to practice in the upcoming week, head coach Vic Fangio is uncertain whether he will be able to return in Week 9. Okwuegbunam projects primarily as a special-teams contributor when healthy.
OCTOBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Denver's pricey secondary looks like a waste of money so far
The Denver Broncos are reeling and a big part of the problem is a secondary that's not living up to its reputation or big paychecksOCTOBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Goes on IR Okwuegbunam (hamstring) has been placed on IR by the Broncos.
Impact With Okwuegbunam slated to miss as least three games, Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck are candidates in the meantime to see increased roles behind Denver's top tight end Noah Fant.
OCTOBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos hoping to play Teddy Bridgewater at Pittsburgh
Teddy Bridgewater took most of the first-team reps at practice Friday and is trending toward starting when the Denver Broncos play the Pittsburgh Steelers on SundayOCTOBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Out for Week 5, may end up on IR Okwuegbunam (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.
Impact Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports that the Broncos have yet to make a decision on whether or not to place Okwuegbunam on injured reserve. Expect Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck to see increased roles behind Noah Fant in Week 5.
OCTOBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Not practicing Thursday Okwuegbunam (hamstring) didn't participate in Thursday's practice, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact Okuwegbunam suffered his hamstring injury during Wednesday's practice and was unable to take the field Thursday. His status for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh is in question, while Eric Saubert and Andrew Beck will likely see increased roles if the 23-year-old is ruled out.
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Nursing hamstring injury Okwuegbunam was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Impact Okwuegbunam apparently picked up the injury during the Broncos' loss to the Ravens on Sunday, when he caught one of two targets for 11 yards on 15 offensive snaps. The 2020 fourth-round pick should be able to avoid an injury designation for Week 5 if he can progress to full practice participation within the next couple days.
OCTOBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Catches one pass Okwuegbunam recorded one reception on two targets for 11 yards in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Ravens.
Impact Okwuegbunam played on just 26 percent of the Broncos' offensive snaps, which marks his lowest snap share of the season thus far. Starting tight end Noah Fant, however, was on the field for 93 percent of the team's offensive plays, soaked up a team-high 10 targets and scored a touchdown. Denver struggled to get things going on offense against Baltimore, rendering the passing game mostly ineffective outside of Fant's trip to the end zone. As the No. 2 tight end, Okwuegbunam will find it difficult to see consistent usage and production in the Broncos' offense. Mounting injuries to Denver's receiving corps may open up more looks for the 6-foot-5, 258-pounder going forward. The Broncos head to Pittsburgh in Week 5, a game that may feature Drew Lock at quarterback if Teddy Bridgewater is forced to miss time with a concussion.
OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
