Broncos designate Drew Sanders for return from injured reserve

The Broncos might be welcoming back another linebacker in the postseason.

Third-year inside linebacker Drew Sanders, who suffered a foot injury on the second day of training camp, was designated for return from injured reserve Saturday, opening a 21-day practice window in which the Broncos can activate him from injured reserve.

This move comes four days after rookie inside linebacker Karene Reid returned to the 53-player roster from injured reserve after missing the final eight games of the season due to a hamstring injury incurred in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sanders chose surgery after the injury, which led to him being carted off the field. At the time Sanders was lost, Broncos coach Sean Payton estimated his recovery to be “north of four to six weeks.”

BRONCOS DIDN’T HAVE SANDERS FOR MUCH OF 2024

Prior to training camp, the Broncos hoped Sanders, a third-round pick in 2023, could provide depth and push for playing time after a frustrating 2024 in which he missed all but four regular-season games following a torn Achilles tendon suffered during an April 2024 workout.

Sanders returned to practice in November 2024, but didn’t make his on-field debut until Week 15 of that season against Indianapolis. He logged nine total tackles and a sack in five games — including the wild-card defeat at Buffalo last January.

The Broncos shifted Sanders to inside linebacker on a full-time basis after his return from injured reserve last season, and he saw first-team work there during OTAs alongside Justin Strnad last year with Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw working their way back from injuries.

In the wake of Sanders’ injury, depth behind Singleton, Greenlaw and Strnad has primarily come from two undrafted rookies: Reid and Jordan Turner, who was recently promoted to the 53-player roster. Turner played in eight games down the home stretch of the season — including the last five in succession.

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