With LB Dre Greenlaw suspended, Broncos elevate rookie Jordan Turner to face Cowboys

Broncos undrafted rookie linebacker Jordan Turner will make his NFL debut on Sunday.

With Dre Greenlaw serving a one-game NFL suspension, Denver on Saturday elevated Turner from the practice squad to face the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High.

The Broncos opted to give Turner his first elevation over linebacker Levelle Bailey, who was brought up from the practice squad for the opener against Tennessee but hasn’t played since.

The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Turner, who played at Michigan State, was invited to to Denver’s rookie minicamp in May as a tryout player and was signed after looking good in the three practices. He was waived Aug. 26 but signed the next day to the practice squad.

The Broncos’ primary inside linebackers on Sunday will be Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad, who has filled in for Greenlaw for much of the season. Greenlaw sat out the first six games with a quad injury, returned for last Sunday’s 33-32 win over the New York Giants, and then was suspended for going after referee Brad Allen and threatening him verbally following the game.

The Broncos have had undrafted rookie Karene Reid active as an inside linebacker all season, and that again will be the case Sunday. They also had linebacker Garret Wallow active for five games, three when he was elevated from the practice squad and two after he was signed to the 53-man roster. But Wallow was placed on injured reserve after being hurt against the New York Jets in Week 6.

Strnad, Moss fined by NFL

The NFL officially announced Saturday that Strnad was fined $15,486 for making contact with referee Allen after last Sunday’s game.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk on Thursday that Strnad incurred a fine for the incident that occurred during the celebration after Wil Lutz hit a game-winning 39-yard field goal on the final play. However, Vincent did not provide an amount.

Neither Strnad and Broncos coach Sean Payton would comment during the week on the linebacker having been fined.

The NFL also announced Saturday that cornerback Riley Moss was fined $8,253 for unnecessary roughness for a facemask penalty early in the third quarter against the Giants.

The fines of Strnad and Moss are the first ones for Broncos players this season that the NFL has announced for on-field incidents.

Another Dallas defender ruled out

The Cowboys’ woeful defense has been depleted even more.

After ruling four defensive players as out for Sunday’s game, Dallas on Saturday added to the list part-time starting safety Juanyeh Thomas, who had been listed as questionable Friday with a migraine.

The Cowboys, who rank No. 32 and last in the NFL in total defense, on Friday had listed as out two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs (concussion), starting safety Donovan Wilson (elbow, shoulder), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (knee) and cornerback Shavon Revel (knee). On Saturday, they placed Diggs on injured reserve.

The Cowboys also announced Saturday that center Cooper Beebe, who had been listed as questionable Friday, won’t play. And they elevated defensive back Corey Ballantine and running back Malik Davis from the practice squad.

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Tomasson's scouting report: Broncos vs. Cowboys

The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson gives his scouting report for Sunday’s game between the Broncos (5-2) and Cowboys (3-3-1) at Empower Field at Mile High: Offense If the Broncos look anything like they did in the fourth quarter of last Sunday’s 33-32 win over the New York Giants, when they scored all of their points, […]

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Broncos fines: LB Justin Strnad docked $15,486, CB Riley Moss $8,253

The NFL announced Saturday that Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad was fined $15,486 for making contact with an official after last Sunday’s 33-32 win over the New York Giants. NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent told Pro Football Talk on Thursday that Strnad incurred a fine for making contact with referee Brad Allen during the celebration […]