ALBERT OKWUEGBUNAM JR. NEWS

Catches four passes Okwuegbunam secured all four of his targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Jaguars.

Impact Through two weeks, Okwuegbunam's involvement in the Denver offense has remained consistent. The 23-year-old played 56 percent of offensive snaps in Week 1 and 54 percent in Week 2. It appears the Broncos' coaching staff is staying true to their desire to get the 6-foot-5, 258-pounder more involved in his second year. Even so, Okwuegbunam is hard to trust in fantasy lineups as he will likely be dependent on touchdowns to provide any sort of value. The tight end's best path to production would come if starter Noah Fant ever has to miss time with an injury. Okwuegbunam and the Broncos get a soft matchup against the Jets in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hits pay dirt in win Okwuegbunam caught all three his targets for 16 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Giants.

Impact Okwuegbunam also lost a fumble at the Giants' six-yard line late in the first half. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder operated as the No. 2 tight end behind Noah Fant and was efficient with limited opportunities while playing on 56 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Okwuegbunam flashed his impressive athleticism on his one-yard touchdown as he dove for the pylon for the score. The 23-year-old already was a candidate to take a step forward in Denver's offense, so his Week 1 performance should provide the coaching staff with some confidence that he can be a weapon for the Broncos. Fantasy managers, however, should take a cautious approach with the second-year tight end, as it may be difficult for him to see consistent usage in the passing game. Okwuegbunam gets a chance to build upon this outing with a Week 2 matchup against a porous Jaguars secondary.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giants vaunted D falters, fails to get off field vs. Broncos

The New York Giants' vaunted defense was supposed to carry the team while Daniel Jones and his banged-up skill players on offense ironed things out after an training camp marked by...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Broncos Report Card: High marks for all units in win over Giants Only tight end Albert Okwuegbunam’s fumble at the Giants’ six-yard line late in the first half kept the Broncos from getting an A. Everythin...

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • DENVERPOST.COM

Teddy Bridgewater throws 2 TDs, Broncos pound Giants 27-13

For the first time since Peyton Manning retired after winning Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos may have a quarterback

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Could see role increase Okwuegbunam could see an increased role early in the season, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.

Impact With starting tight end Noah Fant sidelined with a leg injury since Aug. 19, Okwuegbunam could be called upon to take over the top spot at the position if Fant is unable to return for the season opener. Coach Vic Fangio believes Fant will return for Week 1, but said Okwuegbunam is "definitely ready" to take on No. 1 tight end role if needed. The 23-year-old appears ready to take a step forward in Denver's offense, and it's plausible to think that the coaching staff will look to get him more involved in the passing game. The Broncos used two-tight-end sets for nearly 40 percent of their snaps in the Broncos' preseason finale, which may hint at an intention to also deploy it frequently during the regular season. Nonetheless, it may be difficult for the 6-foot-5, 258-pounder to find a level of consistency in a Broncos offense littered with talented pass catchers. Okwuegbunam's clearest path to fantasy relevance would come if Fant is forced to miss an extended period of time.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

'He's just picked up from where he left off': After first game action since injury, Albert Okwuegbunam ready to make impact in Year 2 “The games that I did play — just my ability to go out there and make plays and be a mismatch out there — that gave me the confidence rollin...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Nick Kosmider: Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam said he didn't... - The Athletic Broncos TE Albert Okwuegbunam said he didn’t think about his surgically repaired knee at all during his preseason debut Saturday. Said his a...

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Broncos finally have deep roster to end playoff drought

George Paton has overseen a roster overhaul in Denver where the Broncos are seeking to snap out of a five-year funk that includes four consecutive losing seasons for the first time...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Plenty of work in preseason finale Okwuegbunam recorded three receptions on four targets for 23 yards in Saturday's preseason game against the Rams.

Impact Okwuegbunam got the chance to work with the first-team offense as Noah Fant (leg) remained sidelined. The former remained on the field throughout the first half, with his longest reception of the day going for 12 yards in a connection with Drew Lock. Okwuegbunam is set to enter the team's Week 1 matchup against the Giants as Denver's second-string tight end, though he isn't likely to be heavily involved as a receiver with the likes of Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler (illness) and Fant getting the majority of the opportunities.

AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Von Miller returns this weekend for first game since 2019

Broncos star linebacker Von Miller is set to make his return Saturday night in the preseason finale against the Rams

AUGUST 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Broncos name Teddy Bridgewater their starting quarterback

The Denver Broncos are going with Teddy Bridgewater over Drew Lock as their starting quarterback

AUGUST 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Albert Okwuegbunam feeling '100 percent' during camp after recovering from ACL tear “The silver lining from last season was just the confidence instilled in me,” Okwuegbunam said.

AUGUST 7, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

Returns healthy after ACL tear Okwuegbunam (knee) declared himself 100 percent healthy Friday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.

Impact The second-year pro has made a smooth recovery from Dec. 1 surgery to repair an ACL tear, even participating in padded practices early in training camp. Okwuegbunam is stuck behind Noah Fant on the depth chart, but the fourth-round pick has the talent to be one of the better No. 2 tight ends in the league, with 4.49 speed at 6-foot-5, 258 pounds. Okwuegbunam was promising in his four games last season, catching 11 of 15 targets for 121 yards and a TD.

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Miller healthy in mind, body in comeback from ankle injury

Von Miller enters his 11th season in Denver just glad to be back on the football field and in the locker room

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Star-crossed tight end Jake Butt retires from NFL

Tight end Jake Butt has retired from the NFL as he acknowledged he'd lost the passion for the game he loves but which cost him so much

JULY 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Limited to start camp Okwuegbunam (knee) started training camp as a limited participant in practice, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Impact The 2020 fourth-round pick had surgery Dec. 1 to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, ending his rookie season with an 11/121/1 receiving line in four games. The Broncos seem to be counting on Okwuegbunam to finish up his rehab and earn the No. 2 spot at tight end, considering their other depth options at the position are Austin Fort (zero NFL appearances), Eric Saubert (10 catches in 40 games) and undrafted rookie Shaun Beyer. Starter Noah Fant already figures to play a lot of snaps, and he could handle even more than usual early in the season if Okwuegbunam struggles to get back into game shape at the end of a lengthy rehab process.

JULY 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Broncos in no hurry to settle on starting quarterback

The Denver Broncos aren't in a big hurry to name their starting quarterback

JULY 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Broncos tight ends Noah Fant, Albert Okwuegbunam 'excited' to play off each other in 2021 Last season, the Broncos ranked fourth in the NFL in targeting their tight ends, throwing to them 148 times.

JUNE 18, 2021 • GAZETTE.COM

Denver Broncos: How does team view Albert Okwuegbunam entering year two? Denver Broncos second-year tight end Albert Okwuegbunam is a player who could really become a big piece of the team's plans in 2021. Looking...

JUNE 15, 2021 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM

Gets some work in Okwuegbunam (knee) got limited on-field work in during Monday's practice, George Stoia of The Denver Gazette reports.

Impact Okwuegbunam is roughly five months removed from undergoing surgery to repair his torn right ACL. While he certainly isn't back to full health yet, it's encouraging to see the tremendously athletic tight end progressing well in his recovery. Coach Vic Fangio previously said that Okwuegbunam might not be fully healthy for the start of training camp, but it appears that he still could be on track for Week 1.

MAY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Timetable uncertain Coach Vic Fangio said Saturday that Okwuegbunam (knee) is progressing well but may not be ready for the start of training camp, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Impact Okwuegbunam had a solid four games as a rookie before suffering an ACL tear, recording 11 catches for 121 yards and a score as the team's No. 2 tight end. The Missouri product continues to rehab his knee following surgery, and it's good news to hear his coach echo positive sentiments in his recovery.

MAY 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Courtland Sutton impressing in rehab; Albert Okwuegbunam, Essang Bassey likely not 'full speed' to start training camp "I can’t imagine that he could be doing any better than he is at this stage in rehab," Head Coach Vic Fangio said of Sutton.

MAY 2, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM

The ghosts of NFL Drafts past: Tales of past MU draft picks From Jack Frye to Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri football has a long history of selections in the NFL Draft.

APRIL 29, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM

Progressing well in recovery Okwuegbunam (knee) said Thursday that he anticipates being healthy for the tentative start of training camp with "no issues," Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Impact Okwuegbunam flashed through four appearances as a rookie prior to suffering a season-ending ACL tear, securing 11 of 15 targets for 121 yards and a score while battling for work behind Noah Fant. The 22-year-old, now roughly 12 weeks removed from knee surgery, said he's on track to resume jogging before the end of February. The NFL's offseason schedule is currently still murky, but Okwuegbunam at least appears on track for the tentative start of training camp, barring any postponements of complications.

FEBRUARY 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE