Updated Jan. 20, 2026, 6:47 p.m. MT

Story update: To make room for WR Brandon Johnson on the practice squad, Denver released C Michael Dieter. View our original post below.

After suffering multiple injuries at wide receiver, the Denver Broncos are bringing back a familiar face ahead of the AFC Championship game.

The Broncos are signing receiver Brandon Johnson to their practice squad, KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis first reported on Tuesday. Denver will need to make a corresponding move to make room for Johnson.

Johnson (6-2, 195 pounds) originally entered the league with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of UCF in 2022. After hauling in six receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown in seven appearances as a rookie, Johnson’s role expanded under new coach Sean Payton in 2023 as he totaled 19 catches for 284 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.

Johnson failed to make Denver’s 53-man roster following training camp in 2024 and he landed on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice squad. He made three appearances that season, grabbing one catch for nine yards. After being cut by the Steelers in August, Johnson spent most of the 2025 season on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ practice squad.

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After being cut by the Bucs in December, Johnson returned to Pittsburgh’s practice squad. Because he was not on an active roster at the end of the Steelers’ season, Johnson was eligible to join the Broncos after his practice squad contract expired in Pittsburgh.

Pat Bryant suffered his second concussion in less than a month during Saturday’s divisional round win over the Buffalo Bills and Troy Franklin left the game with a hamstring injury. Following those injuries, the Broncos were down to three healthy WRs on the active roster: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims and Lil’Jordan Humphrey.

Broncos practice squadQB Ben DiNucciRB Cody SchraderRB Deuce VaughnWR Brandon JohnsonWR Michael BandyWR A.T. PerryWR Elijah MooreWR Kyrese RowanTE Marcedes LewisTE Caleb LohnerTE Patrick Murtagh OL Calvin ThrockmortonOL Geron ChristianC Michael DeiterDL Jordan MillerILB Levelle BaileyCB Jaden RobinsonDB Tanner McCalister

Stay tuned as we wait to see how Denver makes room.

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