The Broncos signed a running back to their active roster.

Denver claimed Cody Schrader off waivers on Monday from the Texans, per the NFL’s transactions wire. The second-year pro appeared in one game for the Rams in 2024 and another in 2025. The Broncos signed Schrader in a corresponding move after placing safety Brandon Jones (pectoral) on injured reserve.

Schrader entered the NFL undrafted in 2024 after a standout senior year at the University of Missouri. The 5-foot-9, 214-pound running back finished the 2023 NCAA season with 276 carries for 1,627 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Schrader also spent time on NFL practice squads with the 49ers and Jaguars.

The Schrader signing bolsters running back depth in Denver after starter J.K. Dobbins (foot) went on injured reserve in November. The Broncos have leaned heavily on rookie RJ Harvey in his absence. Reserves Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie have also entered the rotation.

Officiating gripes

Broncos coach Sean Payton took issue with two officiating decisions on Sunday in a home win, 34-26, over the Green Bay Packers.

Late in the second quarter, wide receiver Troy Franklin caught a screen pass from quarterback Bo Nix. Franklin ran 10 yards before getting swung down to the turf by Packers safety Javon Bullard. Officials blew a whistle despite Franklin never touching the ground.

Franklin rolled over a defender and ran into the end zone. But he was not awarded a touchdown, and the drive continued at the Green Bay 7-yard line.

“(Franklin) scores another touchdown that they miss, and we end up kicking a field goal in that situation,” Payton said on his Monday teleconference call with reporters. “Those are the calls that are hard to … I’m just going to say I disagree with the call. How’s that?”

In the third quarter, cornerback Riley Moss got called for defensive pass interference covering Green Bay wide receiver Matthew Golden. Moss batted away the ball and might have pulled slightly on Golden’s arm. But it was hardly enforceable contact.

“(Moss) continues to compete,” Payton said. “I can’t say the word, but it begins with an ‘A,’ relative to that call. And it’s just, holy cow.”

Allen record

Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen tied his career high in a game with six quarterback hits against the Packers. Allen also became the second defensive lineman in NFL history to record at least 40 quarterback hits in back-to-back seasons — joining retired NFL star J.J. Watt.

Watt is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2010s. He logged 114.5 sacks over a 12-year pro career between the Texans and Cardinals. Watt was formerly teammates with Allen in Arizona.

“A lot of hard work went into that,” Allen said on Monday. “That was definitely a goal of mine this year. I was teasing J.J. about it: ‘You’re technically a (defensive) end. I’m the first (defensive) tackle to do it.’ He was like: ‘No, no, no.’ … I play with really great players and am able to get a lot of great matchups.”

Briefly

The Jets signed safety Keidron Smith off the Broncos practice squad on Monday, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Smith appeared in nine games for Denver a year ago but none this season. … The Broncos are a 3-point favorite at home over the Jaguars on Sunday.