Broncos elevate two defensive backs from practice squad for Seahawks game

DENVER — With the Broncos playing without safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Pat Surtain II, safety Taylor Rapp and cornerback Sean Fresch Jr. received elevations from the practice squad for Thursday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Rapp, who started 24 regular-season games for the Buffalo Bills over the last three seasons following four years with the Los Angeles Rams, was signed to the Broncos’ practice squad on Sept. 7. The team had initially signed him on Aug. 20, then released him six days later, but Broncos coach Sean Payton noted then that Rapp could return — which he did in Week 1 of the regular season.

Rapp gives the Broncos a seasoned reserve option behind Brandon Jones and Devon Key, the latter of whom is expected to start in place of Hufanga. Key filled in for Hufanga last week against the Los Angeles Chargers.

“He’s a pro’s pro,” Jones said of Key. “He can come in at any point — whether it’s the whole game, whether he has to come in for somebody for a bit injury-wise — and nothing ever falls off the plate with Dev.

“He comes in, not a lost step. He’s a really big communicator. Plays with a lot of confidence, a lot of swagger, so, I’m never surprised, nor do I ever freak out if Dev’s in the game.”

Fresch gets the call for the second-straight game with Surtain sidelined. Rookie cornerback Brent Austin was also active last week, but he did not play any snaps. Fresch, meanwhile, handled multiple special-teams roles in the Broncos’ 23-16 win over the Chargers and recorded two tackles while averaging 22.3 yards on three kickoff returns.

BRONCOS PRACTICE-SQUAD ELEVATIONS:

2026:

• Week 1: LS Mitchell Fraboni, FB Adam Prentice
• Week 2: LS Mitchell Fraboni (2), FB Adam Prentice (2)
• Week 3: WR Kolbe Katsis, FB Adam Prentice (3)
• Week 4: None
• Week 5: CB Brent Austin, CB Sean Fresch Jr.
• Week 6: CB Sean Fresch Jr., S Taylor Rapp

2025:

• Week 1: LB Levelle Bailey, FB Adam Prentice
• Week 2: FB Adam Prentice (2), LB Garret Wallow
• Week 3: FB Adam Prentice (3), LB Garret Wallow (2)
• Week 4: LB Garret Wallow (3)
• Week 5: None
• Week 6: OL Calvin Throckmorton
• Week 7: None
• Week 8: LB Jordan Turner
• Week 9: WR Michael Bandy, TE Marcedes Lewis
• Week 10: TE Marcedes Lewis (2), CB Reese Taylor
• Week 11: TE Marcedes Lewis (3), LB Jordan Turner (2)
• Week 13: None
• Week 14: LB Jordan Turner (3)
• Week 15: WR Michael Bandy (2), QB Sam Ehlinger
• Week 16: QB Sam Ehlinger (2), S Delarrin Turner-Yell
• Week 17: LB Levelle Bailey (2), WR Michael Bandy (3)
• Week 18: LB Levelle Bailey (3)
• Divisional Round: TE Caleb Lohner, WR Elijah Moore
• Conference Championship: WR Michael Bandy (1st in postseason, WR Elijah Moore (2nd in postseason)

2024:

• Week 1: FB Michael Burton, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
• Week 2: RB Tyler Badie, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (2)
• Week 3: RB Tyler Badie (2), DB Tanner McCalister
• Week 4: LB Levelle Bailey, DB Tanner McCalister (2)
• Week 5: LB Levelle Bailey (2)
• Week 6: OT Cam Fleming, IOL Calvin Throckmorton
• Week 7: ILB Kwon Alexander, IOL Calvin Throckmorton (2)
• Week 8: ILB Kwon Alexander (2), IOL Calvin Throckmorton (3)
• Week 9: ILB Kwon Alexander (3), FB Michael Burton (2)
• Week 10: FB Michael Burton (3), ILB Zach Cunningham (1)
• Week 11: ILB Zach Cunningham (2), S Keidron Smith (1)
• Week 12: ILB Zach Cunningham (3), OL Nick Gargiulo (1)
• Week 13: OL Nick Gargiulo (2)
• Week 15: OL Nick Gargiulo (3), CB Reese Taylor (1)
• Week 16: DL Matt Henningsen (1), RB Blake Watson (1)
• Week 17: DL Matt Henningsen (2), WR David Sills  (1)
• Week 18: DL Matt Henningsen (3)
• Wild-card Round: G/C Nick Gargiulo

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