Denver rookie Ojemudia makes most of 2nd chance in secondary
Broncos rookie defensive back Michael Ojemudia lost his starting job earlier in the seasonDECEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NICK VANNETT #84 - TIGHT END - TENNESSEE TITANS
90 YDS •
12 REC •
2 TD
90 YDS
12 REC
2 TD
Steps in following Fant exit Vannett reeled in all four of his targets for 20 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 32-27 win against Carolina.
Impact Vannett and Troy Fumagalli saw increased passing-game opportunities during Week 14 with starting tight end Noah Fant being forced to an early exit after falling ill. Vannett's two-yard receiving TD in the second quarter marked the 27-year-old's first since he scored three times for Seattle in 2018. With Albert Okwuegbunam (knee-ACL) remaining on injured reserve, Vannett could maintain a minor role as a pass catcher Week 15 against the Bills. Absences from Fant and Jake Butt (hamstring) -- who was designated to return from IR on Dec. 10 -- would clear Vannett's path towards a more integral role, however.
DECEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
The Latest: Steelers get AFC berth, Packers clinch NFC North
The Pittsburgh Steelers already have a playoff berth clinched before kicking off against the Buffalo BillsDECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two receptions in loss Vannett caught both targets for seven yards during Sunday's 22-16 loss to the Chiefs.
Impact The 27-year-old has played about 50 percent of the offensive snaps over the past three games and has four catches for 31 yards during that stretch. Vannett should continue to operate as Denver's secondary tight end while starter Noah Fant remains healthy.
DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Handles highest snap count of 2020 Vannett caught both targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 20-13 win over the Dolphins.
Impact With Drew Lock playing through a rib injury, coach Vic Fangio opted to utilize Vannett and Troy Fumagalli more in the offensive game plan to help protect the second-year quarterback. As a result, Vannett logged a season-high 41 snaps on offense. He's still not much of a pass-catching threat, but this trend could continue in Week 12 against the Saints.
NOVEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Lock misses practice, Rypien might get second career start
Coach Vic Fangio says Drew Lock has made progress this week as he deals with bruised ribsNOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No targets in Week 10 Vannett wasn't targeted in Sunday's 37-12 loss to the Raiders.
Impact Vannett moved up to second on Denver's tight end depth chart due to a rash of injuries at the position, but he didn't take advantage of the expanded role. He has caught just six passes all season and has never broken 30 catches or 300 yards in a campaign.
NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Among last tight ends standing Vannett is one of the few healthy bodies in Denver's tight-end room with Albert Okwuegbunam (ACL), Andrew Beck (hamstring), and Jake Butt (hamstring) all heading to injured reserve...
Impact That rash of injuries doesn't even include Noah Fant's continued ankle troubles. The Broncos were doing well by mixing in Okwuegbunam in recent weeks, but don't expect Vannett to fill that role. He and Okwuegbunam are of very different skill sets and Vannett has never been much of a consistent threat in the passing game. Vannett heads into Sunday's game against Las Vegas with just six catches on the season and just one outing with multiple catches this year. The Broncos figure to run even more three-receiver sets -- their most common personnel grouping -- than they already have.
NOVEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Ready for Week 9 Vannett (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Impact Vannett carried a questionable designation into the weekend, but he never seemed at much risk of missing the contest after he was able to put in a full practice Friday. Expect Vannett to fill a minor role behind starter Noah Fant as the Broncos' top blocking tight end.
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable, expected to play Vic Fangio said Friday that Vannett (foot) will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons but is expected to be available, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Impact Vannett suffered a foot bruise against the Chargers in Week 8, but it looks like he should be able to avoid missing any time. As long as he's able to suit up, Vannett will handle his usual depth role at tight end.
NOVEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Broncos coach says he never considered benching Drew Lock
Denver Broncos coach Vic Fangio says he never considered benching Drew Lock when the second-year quarterback's season-long struggles continued Sunday with an awful start against th...NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Managing bruised foot Vannett was diagnosed with a foot bruise after an MRI on Monday and should be able to play Week 9, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact The 27-year-old received the start Sunday with the Broncos starting out in a two-tight end set, but he ended up playing only 11 offensive snaps. Vannett has only five catches for 33 yards in six games this season, so even if available this weekend, he's unlikely to be a significant factor in the passing game.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Injures foot in comeback win Vannett sustained a foot injury during Sunday's 31-30 win over the Chargers, Kyle Newman of The Denver Post reports.
Impact Vannett didn't record a catch during Sunday's contest. The severity of the depth tight end's injury remains undisclosed, but if he were to miss any time it could mean more opportunities for impressive rookie Albert Okwuegbunam.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Lock rallies Broncos to last-second 31-30 win over Chargers
Drew Lock rallied the Denver Broncos from a 24-3 second-half deficit to beat the hard-luck Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 SundayNOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Battered Broncos piling up injuries with all those losses
September has not been a good month for the Denver BroncosSEPTEMBER 28, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lions WR Golladay makes 2020 debut; Bucs' Godwin also active
Detroit’s Kenny Golladay and Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin are a couple of noteworthy receivers returning to action in Sunday’s late gamesSEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gostkowski finally delivers in Titans' 16-14 win at Denver
New kicker Stephen Gostkowski avoided a disastrous debut with the Tennessee Titans when he kicked a 25-yard field goal with 17 seconds left for a 16-14 win over the Denver BroncosSEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos' Jake Butt a feel-good story on NFL's cutdown day
Oft-injured tight end Jake Butt joins Washington's Alex Smith as a feel-good story on the NFL's cutdown daySEPTEMBER 5, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos once again leaning on defense as young offense grows
Broncos general manager John Elway feels like he’s finally found a worthy successor to Peyton ManningAUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roethlisberger's return makes Steelers major factor in 2020
The Pittsburgh Steelers believe the return of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will put them in contention for a return to the postseasonAUGUST 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Two more Denver Broncos rookies get hurt, joining Hamler
The Denver Broncos are in the midst of a rash of injuries to their rookie classAUGUST 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Clears concussion protocol Vannett cleared the NFL's concussion protocol and returned to practice Sunday, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Vannett suffered this concussion Wednesday but made a quick recovery. Heading into his fifth NFL season, Vannett is learning a new system but could secure the No. 2 role behind Noah Fant with a strong training camp.
AUGUST 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Jake Butt says he was tempted to quit during latest comeback
Oft-injured tight end Jake Butt says there were some dark days during his latest comeback that had him seriously considering retirementAUGUST 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Enters concussion protocol Vannett is in the concussion protocol Wednesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Impact Vannett will need to fully clear the league's concussion protocol before retaking the practice field. The Broncos are relying on him to provide a veteran presence in an otherwise extremely youthful tight end room.
AUGUST 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Drew Lock: strange offseason hasn't curbed his expectations
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock agrees with his boss John Elway that Denver's young offense has a lot of catching up to do after being separated from each other because of the corona...JULY 31, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
