DENVER BRONCOS

With Greg Dulcich still sidelined, Lucas Krull has an opportunity

May 23, 2024, 10:08 PM | Updated: 10:10 pm

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Lucas Krull found himself with an opportunity this week.

Greg Dulcich, who still remains a great hope of the Denver Broncos’ tight end room, was not available for practice, instead working out on a side field. And while Sean Payton expects the third-year UCLA product to be ready at some point during OTAs and minicamp over the next three weeks, it remains yet another hurdle for the oft-injured Dulcich.

“He’s close. He’s had all the work done,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “We’re encouraged. I think you’ll see him sooner than later, and we want to be smart.”

It wasn’t just hamstring problems for Dulcich last season, but a foot injury he suffered upon his return to practice last December after missing 11 of the Broncos’ first 13 games.

“His rehab has gone well,” Payton said. “It’s not going to be (that) we don’t see him until training camp.”

But for now … enter Lucas Krull.


Lucas Krull


KRULL CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF SEAN PAYTON

Making a handful of receptions Thursday, Krull was perhaps the most consistent aspect of the Broncos’ offense as it cycled through quarterbacks Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson.

“I thought he’s had a good week,” Sean Payton noted.

At one point, Payton had a brief on-field chat with Krull.

“I said, ‘If you didn’t notice, everyone in the media was looking down at their rosters to see who [No.] 85 was,'” Payton shared.

“‘Someday soon, they’re going to know who 85 is.’ He’s looking sharp.”

There were glimpses of this last year for Krull, of course. He caught a touchdown pass against New England. He was a leaping Jack Jones pass breakup away from a 43-yard touchdown catch from Jarrett Stidham in last season’s season finale.

And despite the lengthy history of Greg Dulcich, the Broncos didn’t import a big-ticket free agent on a tight end. Nor did they use a draft pick on the position. They effectively stood pat, re-signing Adam Trautman while releasing Chris Manhertz.

There’s a path to playing time for Krull, who got his first taste of the NFL as an undrafted rookie on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad in 2022 before joining the Broncos’ practice squad at the start of the 2023 regular season.

“I think this journey is just beginning for me,” Krull said in January.

It appeared to take another step forward this week.

Denver Broncos

Shedeur Sanders attends the quarterfinal game of the Emirates NBA Cup between the New York Knicks a...

Jake Shapiro

Shedeur Sanders not focused on going No. 1, has other ideas

Shedeur Sanders might be the best quarterback in his class but the odds of him going first in the NFL Draft have been slipping since the college football season ended

5 hours ago

Ashton Jeanty Broncos draft...

Will Petersen

Another ESPN mock draft has Broncos landing Ashton Jeanty

Like his colleague Mel Kiper Jr. did last month, ESPN's Field Yates thinks Ashton Jeanty could fall to the Broncos at No. 20 overall

7 hours ago

Maxx Crosby Russell Wilson...

Andrew Mason

NFL insider: ‘It’s possible’ Russell Wilson could be back in the AFC West

Russell Wilson, back in the AFC West? Longtime NFL insider Mike Sando of The Athletic says this could be in the cards, pointing to a possible reunion with new Raiders coach Pete Carroll.

10 hours ago

Sean Payton Andy Reid Broncos Bills Chiefs...

Will Petersen

Broncos’ goal should now be winning the AFC West in 2025

The Broncos winning the division was never realistic in the middle of a K.C. dynasty, but that's coming to a close, and Denver's window is just opening

17 hours ago

Bo Nix...

Andrew Mason

Is Bo Nix already pushing toward one of the top two QB tiers? One prominent national analyst says yes

Is Bo Nix approaching the second tier of NFL quarterbacks? One prominent national analyst, Fox Sports and NFL Network's Peter Schrager, says he is.

1 day ago

Jonathon Cooper...

Jake Shapiro

Broncos could open season in Philly against Super Bowl champs

The Philadelphia Eagles are slated to host eight games in the fall of 2025 which means the Denver Broncos could be playing in the league's first game of the year

1 day ago

With Greg Dulcich still sidelined, Lucas Krull has an opportunity