By Luca Evans

Copyright denverpost

The Broncos’ quartet of impact free-agent signings combined to play all of 31 games in 2024.

A few games into 2025, the health of two of those veteran additions continues to be a serious question.

Inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw was again working individually on a side field and inactive for the team’s Wednesday practice. It was a step back from Friday’s return to action at practice, as Greenlaw seemed to be making progress in his rehab from a quad injury. Meanwhile, tight end Evan Engram was completely absent from the viewing period of practice Wednesday, as his usage has fluctuated through the first couple of games of the season.

Engram sustained a calf injury in the second half of the Broncos’ season opener against the Titans on Sept. 6. He briefly returned for a play before missing the rest of the game. He upgraded to a full participant in practice last week and played 42% of the team’s offensive snaps against the Colts, but that remains a far cry from a career snap rate upwards of 70%.

Engram told The Denver Post in the locker room in Indianapolis this weekend that he felt “good” after rehabbing his calf. It’s unclear if Wednesday’s absence is related to the same injury.

The Broncos have managed well enough offensively through two games despite infrequent contributions from Engram (four catches for 33 yards), currently sitting ninth in the NFL in points per game. The Chargers’ secondary, though, will present all kinds of challenges for second-year quarterback Bo Nix.

Los Angeles just swarmed Raiders quarterback Geno Smith into a three-interception day in Week 2, and sits at third in the NFL in scoring defense. Engram presented himself throughout the offseason as a reliable safety valve over the middle for Nix. His absence would leave Denver without a much-needed weapon in a key divisional game.

The Broncos, though, are in an even more unstable situation with Greenlaw and their current inside linebacker corps. Head coach Sean Payton said reporters would see Greenlaw “sooner than later” on Sept. 8 after Week 1, but Greenlaw has yet to be a full go in practice since training camp. The Broncos haven’t put the ILB on injured reserve, but will end up having wasted a roster spot if Greenlaw remains out through Week 4’s matchup with the Bengals.

The Colts shredded Denver’s starting duo of Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in coverage Sunday. Without Greenlaw, there’s no immediate personnel upgrade or answer to lingering issues at the heart of Vance Joseph’s defense.

This story will be updated.

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