Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders was back on the practice field Saturday for the first time in 5 1/2 months.

Denver designated Sanders to return from injured reserve. He had last practiced July 26 in training camp, when he suffered a torn ligament in his foot and then had surgery.

The Broncos did not put Sanders on injured reserve until rosters were set for the regular season, enabling him to potentially return in the 2025 season. By designating Sanders for return, the Broncos opened a 21-day window for him. They will need to decide by the end of the period whether to activate Sanders or shelve him for the season.

The Broncos have a bye in the wild-card round of the playoffs and will play in a divisional game next Saturday or Sunday.

Sanders has battled injuries since being a third-round pick by Denver in 2023 out of Arkansas, and has appeared in just 21 games. Sanders played in all 17 games as a rookie but got into four in 2024 after having suffered a torn Achilles tendon in April 2024.

After Sanders was injured in July, Broncos coach Sean Payton said he would be out at least four to six weeks. But his recovery has taken longer than expected.

A source told The Denver Gazette on Friday that the Broncos could designate for return from injured reserve tight end Lucas Krull on Wednesday. He has been out since suffering a fracture in his left foot in practice Oct. 2 and then having surgery.