REPORT: The Denver Broncos Will Not Activate Their 2nd-Year Tight End off Injured Reserve

The 8-8 Denver Broncos have had a tumultuous season in Sean Payton’s first year as head coach and Russell Wilson’s (likely) last season as their starting quarterback.

Denver will not activate their promising second-year tight end in their season-finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Denver Broncos will not activate their tight end off injured reserve

Greg Dulcich will not be activated off injured reserve before Wednesday’s deadline and will remain on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Dulcich suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the next four games.

Dulich was activated off injured reserve and played in Week 6. Unfortunately, he reaggravated his hamstring injury in Week 6 and was placed on injured reserve on October 21.

Dulcich was designated for return from the injured reserve on December 13, but his 21-day window to be activated off the injured reserve expired on Wednesday.

Dulcich finished his second season with three receptions on four targets for 25 yards in two games.

This is Dulcich’s fourth hamstring injury

Dulcich has been limited to 12 games in his first two seasons in the NFL due to four hamstring injuries. He suffered a hamstring injury during training camp of his rookie season and missed the first five games. He returned to action in Week 6 and played the next 10 games until he reinjured his hamstring and missed the last two games of the 2022 season.

Dulcich finished his rookie season with 33 receptions on 55 targets for 411 yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Sean Payton was asked last Monday what Dulcich can do to limit his hamstring injuries:

“It’s something that our medical people and everyone involved are working hard on,” Payton said. “Getting to that proper weight, strength, and all the things that allow him to stay healthy.

“He’s a tremendous worker, so he’s going to do whatever it takes. We’ll just have to wait, but we kind of go from there.”

Who was his replacement?

Adam Trautman took over as the starting tight end this season. Denver acquired Trautman during the offseason, reuniting with Sean Payton. Trautman wasn’t very effective in the passing game. He has 21 receptions on 34 targets for 183 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

What now?

The Denver Broncos hope that Dulcich will do a better job of managing his hamstrings in the future. He is a very talented player. Sean Payton’s offense does better when they have a tight end that can be a threat in the passing game.

Hopefully, Dulcich will not have any more issues with his hamstrings in the future and be healthy next season and beyond.

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