Sanders (foot) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Saturday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.
Sanders, a 2023 third-round pick from Arkansas, was sidelined for the entire regular season due to a foot injury sustained in training camp. However, it now appears he could return for the Broncos' playoff run. If activated to the active roster prior to Denver's divisional-round matchup next weekend, Sanders will likely operate as one of the team's top reserve inside linebackers.
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Broncos' Dre Greenlaw: Expected back for divisional round
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Greenlaw (hamstring) is expected to suit up for the Broncos' divisional round matchup, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Coach Sean Payton said that the team will "see most everyone back" in time for whatever home matchup the Broncos draw in the divisional round. The return of the linebacker would bolster a defense that already leads the NFL in sacks with 68. Greenlaw's return means that Karene Reid and Justin Strnad will likely see a reduction in defensive snaps.
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Broncos' Nik Bonitto: Sets career high in sacks in 2025
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Bonitto recorded 46 tackles (31 solo), including 14.0 sacks, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles across 17 games in 2025 with the Broncos.
Bonitto continued to dominate as a pass rusher while recording a career-high 14.0 sacks, which was fifth-most in the NFL this season. The 26-year-old linebacker led all Broncos defenders in sacks, as he and fellow edge rusher Jonathon Cooper continued to work together as one of the best edge-rush duos in the league. Bonitto signed a four-year extension in September, so he'll continue to be a centerpiece of the Broncos' formidable defensive unit in 2026 and beyond. The Oklahoma product should remain a solid IDP option for fantasy purposes next season.
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Broncos' Jonathon Cooper: Finishes 2025 with 8.0 sacks
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Cooper recorded 50 tackles (23 solo), including 8.0 sacks, and four passes defensed over 17 games in 2025.
Cooper continued to be a key contributor for Denver's top-tier pass rushing unit in 2025, recording the second-most sacks of any Broncos defender behind only Nik Bonitto (14.0). The 28-year-old linebacker signed a four-year extension in 2024, keeping Cooper and Bonitto under contract together for the foreseeable future. Cooper's continued development should help him to build upon his performance as one of the leaders of Denver's defense in 2026.
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Broncos' Zach Allen: Records 7.0 sacks in 2025
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Allen finished the 2025 regular season with 38 tackles (14 solo), including 7.0 sacks, and six passes defensed across 17 games.
Allen had another strong season with the Broncos, as the seventh-year defensive lineman continued to be a difference maker as a member of the team's formidable defense. The 28-year-old proved that he could still disrupt an opponent's game plan with his ability to get to the quarterback. Allen's 7.0 sacks were his second most in a single season and the fourth-highest total among Broncos defenders this season. Allen's signed a four-year extension with Denver in August, so he'll reprise his role as a key defensive contributor for the 2026 campaign following Denver's 2025 postseason run.
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Broncos' Riley Moss: Logs career high in defensed passes
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Moss posted 80 tackles (57 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and 19 passes defensed (including one interception) over 17 games in 2025.
Moss finished a solid third season with the Broncos, leading the team in passes defensed and recording the first sack of his young career. The 25-year-old cornerback's 80 tackles counted for the third-highest total among Broncos defenders behind only linebacker Alex Singleton (135) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (106). Playing opposite of arguably the best corner in the game in Patrick Surtain, Moss did a solid job helping to make Denver's secondary one of the strongest units in the league this season. The Iowa product will enter the final year of his rookie deal next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Moss should continue to stay busy during the 2026 campaign as offenses choose to shy away from throwing in Surtain's direction.
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Broncos' Talanoa Hufanga: Sets career high in tackles
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Hufanga recorded 106 tackles (67 solo), including 2.0 sacks, 11 passes defensed and one forced fumble over 17 games in 2025.
Hufanga's first year with the Broncos was undoubtedly a success, as the veteran safety finished the season with the second-most tackles of any Broncos defender behind only Alex Singleton (135). The 25-year-old signed a three-year deal with Denver in 2025 after spending the first four years of his career in San Francisco, and he has proven to be a key contributor for the Broncos in just his first season with the team. Looking ahead to the 2026 campaign, Hufanga will look to build upon his strong start in the Mile High City, helping the Broncos to continue to boast one of the league's best defenses again next season.
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Broncos' Karene Reid: Activated from IR
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The Broncos activated Reid (hamstring) to the 53-man roster from injured reserve Tuesday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports.
Reid had been a full participant in practice the last three weeks, so had he not been activated Tuesday his 21-day window would have expired, causing him to revert to season-ending IR. Instead, the undrafted rookie will stand to handle a role on special teams during the postseason, beginning in the AFC divisional round.
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Broncos' P.J. Locke: Leaves game with leg injury
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Locke (leg) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chargers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Locke is being evaluated on the sidelines by medical staff to determine whether he can return to Sunday's game. JL Skinner and Devon Key are in line for more snaps at safety for as long as Locke is out of the game.
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Broncos' John Franklin-Myers: Unavailable for Week 18
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Franklin-Myers (hip) is inactive for Sunday's contest against the Chargers, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official website reports.
Franklin-Myers was limited at practice throughout the week while nursing a hip injury, and he'll now be forced to take a seat in the team's regular-season finale. In his absence, Malcolm Roach is a top candidate to garner a start on the defensive line versus Los Angeles.
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Broncos' Karene Reid: Out again for Week 18
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Reid (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Reid remains on injured reserve, though his 21-day practice window was opened Dec. 17, meaning the Broncos will need to make a decision on Reid early next week. The rookie linebacker has logged 171 snaps on special teams across 10 games this season, producing five tackles (four solo).
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Broncos' John Franklin-Myers: Tagged as questionable Week 18
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Franklin-Myers (hip) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Franklin-Myers had his practice reps limited during Week 18 prep due to a hip issue, and his status for Sunday's game may not be known until the Broncos announce their list of inactive players approximately 90 minutes before the 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff. Jordan Jackson, Eyioma Uwazurike and Malcolm Roach would be in line for more snaps on the Broncos' defensive line if Franklin-Myers is not cleared to play.
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Broncos' Dre Greenlaw: Won't play Week 18
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Greenlaw (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Greenlaw was unable to practice all week due to a hamstring injury and will miss a second consecutive game as a result. A Broncos win Sunday would result in Denver clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye, which would give the veteran linebacker more time to recover from his injury. Justin Strnad will likely start alongside Alex Singleton at inside linebacker in Greenlaw's absence.
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Broncos' John Franklin-Myers: Working through hip injury
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Franklin-Myers (hip) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.
Franklin-Myers may have picked up the injury during the Broncos' win over the Chiefs on Christmas Day, during which he played only 14 snaps (11 on defense, three on special teams) without recording a tackle. He'll have two more chances to log a full practice and likely avoid an injury tag for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Chargers.
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Broncos' Alex Singleton: Just four tackles Christmas Day
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Singleton finished Thursday's 20-13 win over the Chiefs with four tackles (two solo).
Singleton played 42 of 43 defensive snaps (97.7 percent), but his four tackles were a season low. The veteran linebacker is up to 128 tackles (51 solo), including 1.0 sacks, three pass defenses and one forced fumble through 15 regular-season games. The Broncos wrap up the regular season in Week 18 against the Chargers, when they'll look to lock up the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into the playoffs.
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Broncos' Karene Reid: Unavailable for Week 17
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Reid (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup with the Chiefs.
Reid will remain sidelined in Week 17, although he was able to log multiple full practices again during the week. The safety will shift his focus to potentially returning for the team's final game of the regular season against the Chargers on Jan. 4.
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Broncos' Dre Greenlaw: Won't play Christmas Day
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Greenlaw (hamstring) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Chiefs.
Greenlaw was unable to participate in any of the walkthrough practices during Week 17 prep due to a hamstring injury he sustained against the Jaguars on Sunday. The veteran linebacker is not considered a candidate for injured reserve, but the injury is severe enough that he is in jeopardy of being sidelined for Week 18 against the Chargers. Justin Strnad will likely start alongside Alex Singleton at inside linebacker for as long as Greenlaw is sidelined.
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Broncos' Dre Greenlaw: Not likely bound for IR
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Greenlaw (hamstring) was listed as a DNP on Tuesday's estimated practice report but is not expected to be placed on injured reserve, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.
Greenlaw sustained a non-contact hamstring injury during Sunday's loss to the Jaguars. There isn't a clear timeline for his return, and while a stint on injured reserve isn't on the table at this time, the veteran linebacker is trending toward not being available for Thursday's AFC West matchup against the Chiefs. Justin Strnad would be the top candidate to start at inside linebacker alongside Alex Singleton if Greenlaw were to miss time.
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Delarrin Turner-Yell: Sent to practice-squad IR
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Denver placed Turner-Yell (knee) on the practice squad injured list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Turner-Yell was injured in Sunday's loss to the Jaguars and will be required to miss at least the final two games of the regular season and the first two games of the playoffs. The 26-year-old has appeared in 31 regular-season games for Denver since the start of the 2022 season.
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Broncos' D.J. Jones: Posts third sack of 2025
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Jones registered seven tackles (four solo), including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defense during the Broncos' 34-20 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday.
Jones was credited with his third sack of the season late in the fourth quarter, when he took down Trevor Lawrence for a minimal loss. Jones' 3.0 sacks match a career high that he set in 2020 (across 14 regular-season games) as a member of the 49ers. He'll have two more opportunities to set a new career high in sacks, and he has a prime chance to do so Christmas Day against a Chiefs team that is dealing with multiple injuries to the offensive line and down to its third-string quarterback.
