ENGLEWOOD — Cody Schrader is on his fifth NFL team in less than two full seasons.

The newest Broncos running back, signed Tuesday to their active roster, explained the challenges of chasing his NFL dream on the roster edge.

“You get to one place, and you feel like you’re a part of it. Then the next day, you’re out. That’s difficult,” Schrader told The Denver Gazette after Wednesday’s practice at Broncos Park. “Especially these last couple of weeks have been tough. Because I’ve been flying back and forth, living out of a suitcase and hotels. But it’s all part of the grind.

“It’s still a blessing. A lot of people would die to be in my shoes.”

Schrader, 26, went undrafted out of Missouri in 2024 after a breakout senior year. The Division-II transfer exploded in his final college season with 1,627 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Schrader rushed for 205 yards on 35 carries against Tennessee and called it “the eye-opening moment that made me think I could get a shot in the league.”

Broncos cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine, who played at Missouri for two seasons (2022-23), was a former teammate of Schrader.

“I’m happy for (Schrader). He deserves it,” Abrams-Draine told The Denver Gazette. “I remember he was a leader on the offense. He ran hard. He fought through injuries. He was a walk-on, and he earned his stripes.”

Last year, the 49ers signed Schrader as an undrafted free agent. He didn’t make the team. The Rams claimed and cut Schrader before placing him on their practice squad. Los Angeles promoted Schrader to the active roster in Week 18. Schrader also returned a kickoff for 23 yards in a playoff game.

Schrader appeared in one game this season with the Rams before the Jaguars signed him off L.A.’s practice squad. Schrader spent 14 weeks in Jacksonville but did not appear in any games. The Jaguars eventually waived him. He got picked up by the Texans, and a week later, Schrader was released yet again.

“I just met (Schrader) for the first time. I’m glad he’s with us,” coach Sean Payton said Wednesday. “I know there was a lot read into that (signing). Trust me, that was the furthest thing from our mind. It was more about this stretch run, making sure we’re healthy and we have depth there.”

The speculation as noted by Payton? Maybe Denver signed Schrader just to get the inside scoop on Jacksonville ahead of their Sunday matchup at Empower Field. But Schrader also dismissed the idea.

“I respect the game too much to do any of that,” Schrader told The Denver Gazette.

Schrader is thankful for all the head coaches — Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Liam Coen, DeMeco Ryans and now Payton — that he’s learned from since entering the league. Schrader is confident in his skill set being “quick and explosive” with “really good vision” to succeed in the NFL. He enters Week 16 against the Jaguars on Denver’s active roster.

“Whenever an opportunity comes, I’m going to capitalize on it,” Schrader said.

Injury report

The Broncos received mostly positive health news Wednesday.

Inside linebacker Justin Strnad did not practice with a foot injury suffered in Week 15 against the Packers. Left guard Ben Powers (biceps) continues to work his way back from injured reserve and was limited.

Six players with injury designations were listed as full participants: wide receiver Pat Bryant (hamstring), running back RJ Harvey (ribs), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (neck), wide receiver Marvin Mims (biceps), inside linebacker Karene Reid (hamstring) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle). Reid has been designated for return from injured reserve.

Nix philanthropy

Quarterback Bo Nix is using his platform again to raise money for charity.

Last year, Nix raised at least $10,000 for ALS research with the proceeds from shirts and sweatshirts with the ‘Bolieve’ slogan. On Tuesday, Nix posted another philanthropic effort on social media to benefit the Denver Rescue Mission and its mission “to bring an end to homelessness in metro Denver and Northern Colorado.”

Nix, on his official website, is offering shirts and sweatshirts with the slogan: OVERDOGS. Nix referenced the phrase during his postgame TV interview on CBS after beating the Packers, 34-26, after being 2.5-point underdogs. All proceeds will benefit the Denver Rescue Mission.

“It was just an opportunity to give back to our community,” Nix said Wednesday. “I think it just fits with the saying: ‘Underdogs and overdogs, they’ve been battling for a while.’ And it’s just good every once in a while, especially in a holiday season, to be able to give back.”

Briefly

The Broncos signed offensive lineman Nash Jones to their practice squad Wednesday, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. … Cornerback Pat Surtain is confident that reserve safety P.J. Locke will thrive in the absence of starting safety Brandon Jones (injured reserve; pectoral). Surtain said: “He knows what it’s like to be in this position and in his role.” … Surtain added that his diving interception against Green Bay on Sunday “was probably my most cerebral interception” of his NFL career.