Broncos-Titans inactives: McLaughlin a healthy scratch for first time

DENVER — Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin is a healthy scratch for the first time in his three-season career as the team faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 1.

McLaughlin, listed as the No. 4 running back, is down, while No. 3 running back Tyler Badie is active. Teams typically activate three running backs, so one of them was likely to sit for the game. But McLaughlin was listed as the No. 2 kickoff returner with Badie as the No. 3, so, there was some intrigue as to which of the needs would be prioritized — or whether the Broncos would have two running backs up on the active-game-day roster.

The third-year running back was inactive last year in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but that was due to an injury suffered four days earlier in a win over the Indianapolis Colts.

Two Broncos draft picks are also inactive: third-round pick Sai’Vion Jones and fourth-rounder Que Robinson. This means that in the moment, Jones is at the bottom of the defensive-line depth chart and Robinson is the No. 5 edge rusher.

FULL LIST OF BRONCOS INACTIVES FOR WEEK 1:

• TE Nate Adkins
• OT Frank Crum
• QB Sam Ehlinger (in uniform as emergency No. 3 QB)
• ILB Dre Greenlaw
• DL Sai’Vion Jones
• RB Jaleel McLaughlin
• Edge rusher Que Robinson

Titans #TENvsDEN inactives presented by @RockyLawFirm https://t.co/Kgezl7aOVa

— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 7, 2025

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