Marcedes Lewis signs back to practice squad. McGlinchey added to injury report. Broncos hold CFL tryouts.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — When Sean Payton arrived in Denver in 2023, he brought with him a reputation as an offensive genius.

In his previous 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, his offenses with Drew Brees as his quarterback ranked No. 1 in scoring and No. 1 in total yards in the same season twice. He ranked in the top five in scoring for an impressive nine seasons, most recently in both 2019 and 2020.

With the Broncos, Payton seems to have evolved into more of a complementary offensive game planner and play caller.

Or did you not notice the Broncos’ three scoring drives of 14 plays and nearly 9 minutes, 14 plays and more than 9 minutes, and 19 plays and more than 10 minutes – that’s right, 19 plays and 10 minutes – while building a 24-7 fourth-quarter lead last week against the Raiders?

“I think if you really do your homework on what we did — and you’re referencing New Orleans — all of those good teams were in the Top 10 in rushing,’’ Payton said. Actually, four of those five scoring offenses ranked 16th or lower in rushing. “I think you saw the explosive but also, it’s understanding your current players, understanding what it takes to win each game and there were a number of games that we played like we’re playing now at times.


“We were further along probably with a veteran quarterback (Brees), but most importantly it’s utilizing the skill sets we have here and then also understanding how the game’s unfolded. Making decisions a week ago, how’s the game unfolding? So each week that can change. You always have an idea maybe how you think it’s going to unfold, but you have to be ready to adjust. Yes, it’s different right now offensively, and in a good way.”

Indeed, in 2016 when the Saints ranked No. 1 in total yards and No. 2 in scoring? Their defense ranked No. 31 in points allowed. While this year’s Broncos rank 14th in scoring, their defense is No. 4. Only once in Payton’s now 18 years as head coach has his team ranked in the top five in both scoring and points allowed – the COVID season of 2020 when his Saints went 12-4 and were upset at home in the Divisional Round by Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Bucs.


McGlinchey has shoulder injury

The Broncos’ final injury report of the week revealed starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey missed practice Friday with a shoulder injury. He is listed as questionable for the game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. McGlinchey didn’t seem overly concerned in the locker room after practice.


Bryant, Powers out

The Broncos will play without rookie receiver Pat Bryant against the Packers because of a hamstring injury. Payton said if it were a playoff game Bryant would play, but in an attempt to get him 100% healed the medical team decided it was best to rest him this week.

And while starting left guard Ben Powers returned to practice this week after missing the previous eight games over nine weeks with a biceps injury, he won’t play this week.

“But he’s getting there,’’ Payton said.



Marcedes returns

Veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis cleared waivers Friday and according to a source was signed back to the Broncos’ practice squad. Lewis, 41, has played four games for the Broncos, all in the blocking tight end role, in this his 20th NFL season. He has used up his three practice squad elevations, so to play for the Broncos again this season they’ll have to promote him back to their 53-man roster.



Tryouts

The Broncos worked out 10 players with an eye on their offseason, 90-man roster they will begin to set immediately after season’s end. Former Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan was among them. There were also eight Canadian Football League players who tried out: Defensive lineman Andrew Chatfield, linebackers Braxton Hill and Devin Veresuk, receivers Dohnte Meyers and Isaiah Wooden, and defensive backs Dustin Talbert, Robert Carter and Trey Vaval. Defensive end Dawson Scott of Southern Arkansas was the 10th player.