{"id":668512,"date":"2026-01-11T10:11:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T10:11:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/668512\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T10:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T10:11:22","slug":"broncos-designate-drew-sanders-for-return-from-injured-reserve-denver-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/668512\/","title":{"rendered":"Broncos designate Drew Sanders for return from injured reserve \u2013 Denver Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Broncos might be welcoming back another linebacker in the postseason.<\/p>\n

Third-year inside linebacker Drew Sanders, who suffered a foot injury on the second day of training camp<\/a>, was designated for return from injured reserve Saturday, opening a 21-day practice window in which the Broncos can activate him from injured reserve.<\/p>\n

This move comes four days after rookie inside linebacker Karene Reid returned to the 53-player roster from injured reserve after missing the final eight games of the season due to a hamstring injury incurred in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.<\/p>\n

Sanders chose surgery<\/a> after the injury, which led to him being carted off the field<\/a>. At the time Sanders was lost, Broncos coach Sean Payton estimated his recovery to be \u201cnorth of four to six weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

BRONCOS DIDN\u2019T HAVE SANDERS FOR MUCH OF 2024<\/p>\n

Prior to training camp, the Broncos hoped Sanders, a third-round pick in 2023, could provide depth and push for playing time after a frustrating 2024 in which he missed all but four regular-season games following a torn Achilles tendon suffered during an April 2024 workout.<\/p>\n

Sanders returned to practice in November 2024, but didn\u2019t make his on-field debut until Week 15 of that season against Indianapolis. He logged nine total tackles and a sack in five games \u2014 including the wild-card defeat at Buffalo last January.<\/p>\n

The Broncos shifted Sanders to inside linebacker on a full-time basis after his return from injured reserve last season, and he saw first-team work there during OTAs alongside Justin Strnad last year with Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw working their way back from injuries.<\/p>\n

In the wake of Sanders\u2019 injury, depth behind Singleton, Greenlaw and Strnad has primarily come from two undrafted rookies: Reid and Jordan Turner, who was recently promoted to the 53-player roster. Turner played in eight games down the home stretch of the season \u2014 including the last five in succession.<\/p>\n

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