The Denver Broncos have six players on injured reserve as they approach Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season.
Two of those players — offensive tackle Frank Crum and tight end Caleb Lohner — are on short-term injured reserve, which means they are eligible to return after four games (although Lohner is expected to be out until mid-season).
Another player, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, is on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He is also eligible to return after four games.
Denver also has four players on season-ending IR: center Michael Deiter (quad), defensive end Matt Henningsen (Achilles), linebacker Levelle Bailey (broken leg) and outside linebacker Drew Sanders (undisclosed). Unless he is released from IR with a settlement, Sanders will
be ineligible to return this season.
Broncos on short-term IR
- OT Frank Crum (leg)
- TE Caleb Lohner (foot)
Broncos on season-ending IR
- C Michael Deiter (quad)
- DE Matt Henningsen (Achilles)
- LB Levelle Bailey (broken leg)
- OLB Drew Sanders (undisclosed)
Broncos on resersve/PUP list
- OL Nick Gargiulo (knee)
In addition to those players, outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper is on the commissioner's exempt list. That is not injury-related: Cooper has a trial by jury scheduled for mid-November related to his felony assault case.
Broncos roster exempt players
- OLB Jonathon Cooper
With the 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad set, Denver has 78 players under contract going into the 2026 season. The Broncos are preparing to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 1.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos have 6 players on injured reserve going into Week 1
