Broncos activate 3 players from injured reserve for 'Thursday Night Football'

The Denver Broncos have activated three players from injured reserve to the 53-man roster ahead of their Thursday Night Football showdown with the New Orleans Saints in Week 7.

The Broncos activated outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) from IR in time for Thursday’s game.

With right tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) still sidelined, McGlinchey is returning at the perfect time for Denver.

Browning re-joins a pass rush rotation that has been featuring Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto with Jonah Elliss and Dondrea Tillman rotating in.

With star cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) ruled out, Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian are expected to serve as the team’s outside cornerbacks in New Orleans with Levi Wallace playing in the slot. Tremon Smith is a backup option and key special teams player. Kris Abrams-Draine has been a healthy scratch this season, so Mathis will likely provide depth tonight.

The Broncos had room for Browning and McGlinchey on the active roster after cutting inside linebacker Kristian Welch and safety Tanner McCalister earlier this week. McCalister returned on Denver’s practice squad. Welch opted to join the Baltimore Ravens. To make room for Mathis, the team waived rookie running back Blake Watson.

The Broncos’ game against the Saints will be streamed exclusively on Amazon’s Prime Video. Playing on the road, Denver is considered a slight underdog in Week 7.