ENGLEWOOD – Jahdae Barron is tight with Matthew McConaughey from his days at the University of Texas. Not that the Broncos rookie cornerback is looking ahead, but he was asked Thursday if the actor would attend the Super Bowl if they make it.

“I could probably get him to go,’’ Barron told The Denver Gazette after a practice at Broncos Park. “It won’t be hard. I could make a call.”

If the Broncos defeat New England in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High, they would advance to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8. That could be the first time McConaughey sees Barron play in person in the NFL.

Barron got to know McConaughey well in college due to the Texas alum being a huge Longhorns fan. He said they last spoke around the start of the New Year.

“I spoke to him probably around three weeks ago,’’ Barron said. “He’s checking on me.”

Before being taken with the No. 20 pick by the Broncos last April, Barron starred at Texas and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024 for being the nation’s top defensive back. The Longhorns made the College Football Playoff semifinals that season before losing 28-14 to eventual champion Ohio State.

So that means Barron has made the final four in football for two straight seasons.

“Blessed and amazing,’’ Barron said. “It’s a good opportunity to win something very memorable and remarkable. … I’m blessed but the job’s not finished. Obviously, we want more.”

In last Saturday’s 33-30 overtime win over Buffalo in a divisional playoff game, Barron played 12 snaps on defense, his least in a game all season. He’s not certain how much work he will get against the Patriots, but vows he won’t be nervous in his biggest game so far as a rookie.

“No nerves,’’ he said. “Just chill. Cool, calm and (collected).”

Speaking of a chill, the forecast for Sunday calls for a high of 24 degrees. That’s not exactly a typical temperature for the native of Corpus Christi, Texas, who grew up in Austin.

“It’s OK,’’ Barron said. “We get paid a lot of money for it, so it’s fine to go play in the cold. It’d be one thing if you’re doing it for free.”

Bryant upgraded to full participant

Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant, who suffered his second concussion in a month against the Bills and was lost for the game in the first quarter, was upgraded Thursday to being a full practice participant.

Bryant was listed as limited in Wednesday’s workout. By being upgraded, it could mean he has cleared the concussion protocol, putting him in a position to play against the Patriots.

Bryant suffered what he has called a “whiplash” concussion Dec. 21 against Jacksonville and sat out Dec. 25 vs. Kansas City. Against Buffalo, he caught three passes for 32 yards on Denver’s first four plays before being hurt.

Bryant wore a Guardian Cap over his helmet at Thursday’s practice. It remains to be seen if he will become the first Broncos player to don one in a game on Sunday.

The Broncos listed running back J.K. Dobbins (foot), center Alex Forsyth (ankle) and wide receiver Troy Franklin (hamstring) as limited practice participants for the second straight day. Dobbins, who hasn’t played since hurting his left foot Nov. 6 against Las Vegas and then having surgery, was designated for return from injured reserve on Monday. The Broncos are hopeful Dobbins, who had a team-high 772 yards rushing in 10 games in 2025, can play Sunday.

“J.K.’s a great player and it’s good to have him back and back in the locker room,’’ Forsyth said. “You know how much energy he brings to everybody, so it’s exciting.”

Forsyth replaced starting center Luke Wattenberg for the past three games when he had a shoulder injury. Wattenberg was designated for return from injured reserve Wednesday and has been a full participant in practice the past two days. He could return Sunday to the starting lineup.

Forsyth was lost for the game late in regulation against the Bills and was replaced by Sam Mustipher. He declined to discuss his injury or how the center situation will be handled against the Patriots, but he spoke well of Wattenberg returning.

“Luke has been attacking his recovery and everything really good and I’m excited to have him back,” Forsyth said. “He’s an iron man.”

Franklin, lost for the game in the second quarter against Buffalo, did not do a lot Thursday in the portion of practice open to the media. It remains to be seen if he will play on Sunday.

Moore “not surprised” by McDermott firing

Wide receiver Elijah Moore, on the Broncos practice squad, played nine games earlier this season for Buffalo. He was asked about the Bills’ firing of head coach Sean McDermott following the loss at Denver.

“I’m not surprised at all,’’ he told The Denver Gazette. “They haven’t won (enough). They got (quarterback) Josh (Allen, an eight-year veteran), and they’ve been trying to go at it for years. It’s sad enough sometimes when you have good people and good coaches but, if you don’t win, they’re going to figure out a way to win.”

Moore was elevated from the practice squad last Friday for the playoff game but was not active against his former team. He said he knew when the move was made he wouldn’t be active but that the Broncos did it to get him a full game check, which he appreciated.

Moore didn’t greet any Bills players prior to kickoff because he said that “before the game, we’re not friends.” He didn’t talk to them after the game because “they were upset” at the loss.

Briefly

Asked Wednesday about fan support at Sunday’s game, Broncos coach Sean Payton said, “They’re going to have plenty of rest after this one. Two weeks.” With Payton referring to the Super Bowl being two weeks after Sunday’s game, Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte said Thursday, “You can rest in Cancun, too.” … In the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos forced two turnovers. They then forced five against Buffalo. “Sean’s put an emphasis on it because now we’ve been seeing the turnovers and more attempts at the ball,’’ said outside linebacker Nik Bonitto. … Linebacker Alex Singleton led the Broncos with 14 tackles in that game. “You want to play your best games in January and that is the ultimate goal,’’ he said.