Ravens knock Broncos from unbeaten ranks with 23-7 rout
The Baltimore Ravens knocked the Denver Broncos from the ranks of the unbeaten Sunday with a 23-7 victoryOCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
DIONTAE SPENCER
Won't return Sunday Spencer (chest) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Ravens.
Impact Spencer's downgrade means the Broncos will be further shorthanded at receiver for the rest of the contest. Kendall Hinton has already picked up a target in the 29-year-old's absence, and David Moore could see extra work as well.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
#BALvsDEN injury updates: Bridgewater being evaluated for possible concussion, Spencer out with chest injury After receiving attention from the training staff on the field, Spencer was helped to the sideline and then immediately to the locker room f...
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Suffers chest injury Sunday Spencer (chest) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Ravens, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Impact Spencer couldn't haul in his only target before leaving with an injury in the first half of Week 4. With KJ Hamler (knee) out for the year, the Broncos are already without one of their top returners. If Spencer is unable to return, Kendall Hinton would be the most likely candidate to return kicks and punts for the rest of the contest.
OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Latest: Brady sets NFL's career passing mark
Tom Brady is the NFL’s new all-time passing leaderOCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tim Patrick is Mr. Reliable but fame hasn't followed him
Tim Patrick has proven to be Mr. Reliable on a talented wide receiver corps in Denver that keeps getting beset by injuriesSEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos put Hamler on IR, sign WR off Raiders practice squad
The Denver Broncos have signed a veteran receiver off the rival Las Vegas Raiders' practice squad with KJ Hamler going on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his left kneeSEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Expanded role looming Spencer will be the next man up after the Broncos lost KJ Hamler (knee) for the season, Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post reports.
Impact After logging just nine offensive snaps through the first two weeks of the season, Spencer played 23 snaps during Sunday's contest. The 29-year-old will likely slide into the third spot on the depth chart while the Broncos are without Hamler and Jerry Jeudy. Spencer has only caught 10 passes during his three-year career, so fantasy expectations should be tempered despite the uptick in snaps.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos keep winning games but losing starters to injuries
The Denver Broncos flipped the script on their sorrowful Septembers of the last two seasons and went 3-0 for their best start in five yearsSEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos lose speedy receiver KJ Hamler to torn left ACL
The Denver Broncos will be without speedy receiver KJ Hamler for the rest of the seasonSEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos throttle Jets 26-0 for first 3-0 start since 2016
The Denver Broncos improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2016 with a 26-0 shutout of the New York Jets on SundaySEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Resumes practicing Spencer (knee) returned to practice Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact Spencer has missed practice recently due to a lingering knee injury, and while the Broncos could continue taking a cautious approach to his activity level leading up to the regular season, it's encouraging to see the 29-year-old handling reps again. The 5-foot-8, 170-pound wideout has focused on improving as an all-around receiver this offseason, though with the amount of capable pass catchers around to demand targets in Denver, it's difficult to imagine an easy path to offensive opportunities. On special teams, however, Spencer could thrive if healthy. He ranked seventh in the league in terms of punt return yards last season.
AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Misses practice Spencer (knee) missed practice Saturday, George Stoia of the Colorado Springs Gazette reports.
Impact Spencer was held out of practice to give him a chance to recuperate from a lingering knee issue. Coach Vic Fangio noted that the wideout's knee has "been up and down. He's been practicing through it; we just felt he needed a day. I don't think he'll be out long." For now, it appears the Broncos are being cautious with the 29-year-old receiver, who impressed as a punt returner last season. Meanwhile, Spencer has discussed his efforts to become a better all-around receiver, as he hasn't contributed much in Denver's passing game over the last two years. With a crowded group of pass catchers in the team's offense, however, the 5-foot-8, 170-pounder faces an uphill battle to make any sort of noise as a receiver, at least for fantasy purposes.
AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Justin Strnad, Diontae Spencer held out of practice with injuries on Day 9 of #BroncosCamp “We just felt he needed a day,” Head Coach Vic Fangio said of Spencer. “I don’t think he’ll be out long.”
AUGUST 7, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
This is what Diontae Spencer has been working on this offseason “I just want to grow into learning what everyone does up front and making my job easier,” Broncos returner Dionate Spencer said.
JULY 19, 2021 • USATODAY.COM
Signs ERFA tender Spencer has signed his exclusive rights free agent tender with the Broncos, Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports reports.
Impact Spencer will return to the Broncos in 2021 after establishing himself as one of the league's most dangerous punt returners last season. He's expected to maintain a prominent role on special teams but a minimal one on offense, as Spencer recorded just three catches and three rushing attempts for 45 scrimmage yards in 2020.
APRIL 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Receiving tender from Broncos The Broncos tendered exclusive rights free agent Spencer on Monday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact A midseason shoulder injury and a subsequent stint on the reserve/COVID-19 list kept Spencer to 11 appearances in 2020, but he shined as a punt returner when active. Spencer was one of eight players in the NFL to score on a punt return last season, while his two returns of 40-plus yards ranked second in the league to All-Pro Gunner Olszewski. Given Spencer's status as an exclusive rights free agent, this latest transaction locks him in as a Bronco heading into the 2021 campaign.
MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Mile High Morning: Diontae Spencer speaks up about gun violence in roundtable discussion for PEOPLE “[J]ust sharing it, I feel like it affects so many different people in communities that dealt with the same issue,
JANUARY 29, 2021 • DENVERBRONCOS.COM
Among league's best punt returners Spencer returned 16 punts for 253 yards and 15 kicks for 281 yards over the course of 11 games. On offense, Spencer caught three of six targets for 26 yards and rushed three times...
Impact Spencer finished the season ranked seventh in the league in punt return yards. That success didn't translate to kick returns, where he finished 30th. Given his minimal role on offense, it'll be interesting to see what the Broncos do with Spencer this offseason as he enters exclusive-rights free agency. Rookie Tyrie Cleveland, who showed flashes as a receiver in the season finale, also looked good as a kick returner midseason when Spencer missed time midseason, while fellow rookie KJ Hamler handled punt returns.
JANUARY 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Targeted twice in loss Spencer caught one of his two targets for a 10-yard gain and added a nine-yard run during Sunday's 19-16 loss at the Chargers. He added 111 total yards on five kick returns and 46...
Impact Spencer doubled his season total of targets Sunday as KJ Hamler (concussion) exited early. The diminutive target was even the closest target to Drew Lock's last-second Hail-Mary heave at the end of the ballgame. If Hamler can't play in the season finale against Las Vegas, expect Spencer to get a touch or two on offense, particular with gadget-type plays.
DECEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Returns punt for TD Spencer had an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown during Sunday's 32-27 win over the Panthers. He also had five yards on his lone kick return.
Impact Spencer hasn't drawn a target since Week 6, but he continues to get consistent work in the return game. He earned AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Panthers and is now averaging 17.5 yards per punt return.
DECEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Diontae Spencer named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week Denver Broncos returner Diontae Spencer is the AFC special teams player of the week for week 15. The Denver Broncos got a boost of confidenc...
DECEMBER 16, 2020 • PREDOMINANTLYORANGE.COM
Brandon McManus, Diontae Spencer sent funny tweets after Broncos' win McManus and Spencer are pros at social media!
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • USATODAY.COM
NFL Today, Week 14
NFL Today, Week 14DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lock throws career-high 4 TDs, Broncos top Panthers 32-27
Drew Lock threw for 280 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, Diontae Spencer returned a punt 83 yards for his first career score and the Denver Broncos held on to beat the Caro...DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
