WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. – Tyler Badie is a speedy guy, but what didn't come quick was moving up with the Broncos.
The running back, originally a 2022 sixth-round pick by Baltimore, was plucked off the Ravens’ practice squad by Denver in December 2022 and in the finale caught a 24-yard touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Chargers the first time he touched the ball in a regular-season NFL game. But after that, Badie spent all of 2023 on Denver’s practice squad and didn’t get into a game.
Badie then started this season on the practice squad. And after being elevated for the past two games, he finally on Wednesday was signed again to the 53-man roster.
“I always felt like I could play,’’ Badie said after a practice at The Greenbrier in advance of Sunday's game at the New York Jets. “I’m just making the most of my opportunities, but I also have a great O-line. They help me out a lot.”
In his first game this season after being elevated from the practice squad, Badie took his first rushing attempt for 16 yards in the second quarter on Sept. 15 against Pittsburgh. But he got no more carries the rest of the game and only a two-yard reception as the Broncos lost 13-6.
In last Sunday’s 26-7 win at Tampa Bay, Badie had two carries for seven yards through three quarters. But he was a workhorse in the fourth quarter, carrying seven more times for 63 yards to finish with 70 yards. "He makes a quick decision and hits it as hard as he can,' guard Quinn Meinerz said of Badie's runs.Badie’s key play was a 43-yard jaunt to the Buccaneers’ 32-yard line. He was clocked by Next Gen Stats as going 20.99 mph, the second fastest for a ball carrier in Week 3 of the NFL.
“I’m very fast,’’ said Badie, who closed his college career by rushing for 1,604 yards for Missouri in 2021 while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. “Shoot, I wish I would have scored. But I got a little tight. My legs were a little tight. Definitely I pride myself on being fast.”
Badie’s showing was good enough for him to be signed to the 53-man roster when linebacker Alex Singleton was placed on season-ending reserve due to a torn ACL. Badie is averaging 8.6 yards this season on his 10 carries while starter Javonte Williams is averaging 2.2 yards on 24 attempts and top reserve Jaleel McLaughlin 2.2 on 18. Broncos coach Sean Payton didn't offer specifics on how he will use Badie against the Jets, but he likes what he has seen from him.
“He’s been really decisive,’’ Payton said. “He’s had some big runs for us. He’s smart. He knows the system. He’s good in the passing game. He brings a lot.”
Badie’s first big play in the passing game came Jan. 8, 2023, after he was signed by the Broncos, and they were playing out the string. He caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the third quarter.
“It was kind of surreal, first touch, touchdown,’’ said Badie, whose only other touch in that game was one rush for no yards. “I was pretty surprised.”
After that it was a waiting game for Badie. Hampering his chances to make the roster last year was undrafted rookie McLaughlin earning a spot alongside veterans Williams and Samaje Perine.
This season, the Broncos added two more rookies to the initial 53-man roster in Audric Estime, a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame, and Blake Watson, undrafted out of Memphis. They earned spots alongside Williams and McLaughlin ahead of Badie.
Badie said he had a "great" training camp and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi agreed. He said the Broncos were "lucky to keep him" to start the season on the practice squad.
"I think we knew that there was going to be a day this season where he was going to be called up and get his opportunities,'' Lombardi said. "I don’t think any of us were surprised at what he did. He’s a guy that we certainly held in high regard. I was excited when his opportunity came up. I kind of excepted him to show out like he did.”
Estime suffered a sprained ankle in the Sept. 8 opener at Seattle and was placed on injured reserve. And with the Broncos not believing Watson was ready to play, Badie got two of his three allowed elevations before being promoted.
“I just prayed for my opportunity and when it came, I just had to be ready,’’ he said.
Now that Badie is on the active roster, it remains to be seen what will happen following the return of Estime, who must miss at least two more games. It doesn’t seem likely the Broncos would have five running backs on the 53-man roster in addition to fullback Michael Burton.
In the meantime, count rookie quarterback Bo Nix as among those excited to have Badie on the offense.
“He played great Sunday,’’ Nix said. “He provides extra depth for us at back. He’s just another one of those guys in the backfield that can provide explosive plays. We’re happy to get him and continue his production.”
Badie certainly was explosive on his 43-yard run even if he didn’t score.
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