The Broncos bolstered their special teams and practice squad with new additions.   

Denver signed special teams ace J.T. Gray to the active roster from the Ravens’ practice squad, the team announced Tuesday. Gray played his first seven NFL seasons for the Saints. He earned a Pro Bowl nod, plus first-team All-Pro honors and twice made the second team. 

Gray, 29, played under Broncos special teams coordinator Darrien Rizzi while in New Orleans. The Saints released Gray back in September.   

The Broncos have struggled on special teams this season, besides mostly strong performances by kicker Wil Lutz and rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw. Last week, in a 13-11 win over the Jets in London, the Broncos gave up a 72-yard return and another that was almost brought back for a touchdown.   

OL shakeup 

On Tuesday, the Broncos placed reserve left guard Matt Peart on injured reserve (knee) and signed Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad. Peart replaced starting left guard Ben Powers in a Week 6 win over the Jets, but struggled with penalties. Powers is also on injured reserve (biceps). 

Throckmorton is a sixth-year player with 49 games played between the Saints, Panthers, Titans and Broncos. He signed in Denver as a free agent in 2024. Throckmorton was elevated last week from the practice squad against the Jets. 

Practice squad 

The Broncos on Tuesday signed offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart to the practice squad. Barnhart, 24, worked out for the team earlier this week.   

He played at the University of Michigan and won the national championship during his senior season. Barnhart went undrafted in 2024 and previously spent time on the Chargers’ practice squad.  

The Broncos also signed defensive end Garrett Nelson to their practice squad. Nelson played at the University of Nebraska and initially signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2023. He played on practice squads in Miami and Cincinnati. Nelson joined the Broncos for training camp this year and was released.  

Briefly 

The Broncos placed linebacker Garrett Wallow on injured reserve, the team said Tuesday. Wide receiver Thayer Thomas was designated practice squad/injured. … Wide receiver Treylon Burks, waived from injured reserve last week by the Titans, tried out for the Broncos on Tuesday, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. Burks fractured his collarbone in training camp. … The Broncos opened as a 7.5-point betting favorite against the Giants on Sunday.