Broncos Have Nine Players on Injured Reserve Entering Week 9

Broncos Have Nine Players on Injured Reserve Entering Week 9

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The Denver Broncos head into Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season with nine players on injured reserve, including running back RJ Harvey, who was placed on the list last week after suffering a knee injury, Broncos Wire reported on Nov. 4, 2026.

Short-term IR requires a four-game absence before a player can return, and the six Broncos on that designation have staggered eligibility dates stretching from this week into Week 13. Wide receiver Pat Bryant is the only one cleared to play against the Panthers.

Six players on short-term IR with staggered return dates

The six players on short-term injured reserve include offensive tackle Frank Crum (leg), tight end Caleb Lohner (foot), wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle), running back Tyler Badie (thumb), outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (ankle) and running back RJ Harvey (knee). Bryant is eligible in Week 9, Badie and Elliss in Week 12, and Harvey in Week 13. Crum and Lohner have been eligible since Week 5.

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Bryant is eligible to return in time for this week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Badie and Elliss must wait until Week 12 to rejoin the lineup, while Harvey’s knee injury keeps him out until Week 13.

Crum and Lohner have been eligible since Week 5, but neither has started their 21-day practice window. Lohner is expected to have an extended absence despite his short-term designation.

Broncos players suffer critical injuries

Three Broncos are on season-ending injured reserve: center Michael Deiter (quad), defensive end Matt Henningsen (Achilles) and linebacker Levelle Bailey (broken leg). The club previously cut linebacker Drew Sanders from IR before Week 1.

Offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo remains on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list with a knee injury.

Denver has used three of eight IR return designations

NFL clubs are allowed to designate up to eight players to return from injured reserve each season. Denver has used three of those slots so far in 2026 on Crum, Lohner and running back Jonah Coleman. The rookie running back returned in Week 7 after a four-game absence.

Crum and Lohner have not started their 21-day practice windows despite being eligible since Week 5.

Denver has nine players on IR, including running backs Harvey and Badie and offensive lineman Crum.

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