The Broncos had previously told quarterback Sam Ehlinger they would sign him to the 53-man roster when there was a chance. That chance came Saturday.

On the day before Sunday’s opener against the Tennessee Titans at Empower Field at Mile High, the Broncos promoted Ehlinger from the practice squad, and he will continue to be third string behind starter Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham. To make room on the roster, Denver placed defensive tackle Malcolm Roach on injured reserve with a Grade 2 calf strain.

As expected, the Broncos also elevated linebacker Levelle Bailey and fullback Adam Prentice from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

When the Broncos released Ehlinger on Aug. 26, a source had said he received two offers to join another team’s 53-man roster but turned each one down before signing with Denver’s practice squad on Aug. 27. A source said Saturday that Ehlinger did not get any new offers, but that the Broncos had been planning to put him on the 53-man roster when possible.

A roster spot became open after Roach was hurt in Thursday’s practice. Roach now must miss at least the next four games.

With linebacker Dre Greenlaw out due to a quad injury, Justin Strnad is expected to replace him in the lineup against the Titans. Bailey and undrafted rookie Karene Reid will provide depth as reserves.

Greenlaw was hurt in a July 31 practice and did not play in any of Denver’s three preseason games. He did not practice in the week leading up to Sunday’s game.

When a source was asked Saturday how long Greenlaw will be out, the response was “not long.” The source said “there’s a chance” he could play next Sunday at Indianapolis.

With Michael Burton being on season-ending injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, Prentice is Denver’s only available fullback. He was signed Aug. 17, waived Aug. 26 and then signed to the practice squad Aug. 27.

Strnad ready to replace Greenlaw

At least Strnad won’t be coming in cold this time.

In 2022 and 2023 and in the first three games of 2024, the Broncos linebacker didn’t play a single snap from scrimmage. But after Alex Singleton suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury in Week 3, Strnad went on last season to play 676 snaps on defense, which included getting eight starts.

Now, Strnad is ready to step in on Sunday for Greenlaw and play alongside Singleton.

“Last year definitely helps going into it,’’ Strnad said. “Just getting all the reps that I did last year.”

Strnad was a fifth-round pick by the Broncos in 2020, and is the team’s fourth-longest tenured player. He was on injured reserve as a rookie due to a wrist injury, played 316 snaps on defense in 2021 and then played only on special teams in 2022 and 2023.

Through it all, Strnad has continued to want to stay in Denver. After his rookie deal ran out following the 2023 season, he has signed one-year deals in each of the past two years even though there never has been any certainty about how much he would play on defense.

“You come in each and every day and work your tail off and prepare when you’re called upon,’’ he said.

Now, Strnad is in line to play a significant role Sunday. How fired up is he?

“Very excited,’’ he said. “Week 1, baby. You can’t be more excited.”

Perry making ‘strides’ since broken ankle

Broncos wide receiver A.T. Perry said he has “made great strides” since suffering a broken right ankle in spring drills.

Perry started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He was activated on Aug. 12. Then he was waived on Aug. 26 before signing with Denver’s practice squad the next day.

“I broke my ankle,’’ Perry told The Denver Gazette about his injury. “Guys fell on me in practice while I was going to block somebody. Two big guys fell on top of me. It didn’t hurt at first but once I started walking and everything, that’s went I felt the pain.”

Perry then began the rehab process.

“I didn’t expect I was able to come back this fast and be able to run again so fast and feel good,’’ he said. “So it’s a blessing.”

While with New Orleans in 2023, Perry caught 12 passes for 246 yards for an impressive average of 20.5 yards per catch. But he was waived by the Saints in August 2024 and then spent last season on Denver’s practice squad.

“Coaches are always talking to me and telling me how bad they want me here and how they want to develop me as a player and everything, so I’m really grateful to make the squad and be able to come back on the practice squad,’’ he said.