Denver Broncos Have Five Players on Injured Reserve
The Broncos currently manage roster depth while key players face extended absences due to injury.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Football
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The Denver Broncos have moved five players to injured reserve, including three athletes placed on season-ending IR. Additionally, Jonathon Cooper remains on the commissioner’s exempt list as he awaits a legal trial.
Why it matters
Managing player availability is critical for team depth during the regular season as coaching staffs rotate athletes to fill gaps. Maintaining a competitive active roster requires navigating the specific rules regarding short-term and long-term injury recovery timelines.
The Broncos have 77 total players under contract across their 53-man active roster and 17-man practice squad. Five players currently sit on injured reserve, while three of those individuals are designated for season-ending recovery.
The players
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional football franchise that competes in the National Football League.
Jonathon Cooper
Jonathon Cooper is a professional football player who is currently placed on the commissioner's exempt list.
Caleb Lohner
Caleb Lohner is a player on the Denver Broncos roster who is currently serving a stint on short-term injured reserve.
The details
Frank Crum and Caleb Lohner are currently on short-term injured reserve, meaning they are eligible to return after missing four games. Michael Deiter, Matt Henningsen, and Levelle Bailey are sidelined for the remainder of the season due to quad, Achilles, and leg injuries, respectively.
Timeline
Drew Sanders was cut from injured reserve before Week 1.
The team roster status was updated during Week 3.
Caleb Lohner is expected to be out until mid-season.
Jonathon Cooper faces a trial by jury in mid-November.
The Big Picture
This situation follows the established framework of the NFL Commissioner's Exempt List policies. The organization is using the mechanism to address a player's absence due to a felony assault case while keeping him off the active 53-man roster.
The absence of these five players forces the Broncos to lean heavily on the remaining 53-man active roster and 17-man practice squad. Caleb Lohner remains unavailable for fantasy lineups or rotation duties until his expected return around mid-season.
The takeaway
Maintaining roster flexibility remains the primary challenge for NFL teams throughout the duration of the regular season. Fans should monitor injury reports closely as players on short-term IR become eligible to return to the active lineup after four games.
Further reading
For more on roster management and team depth, visit Football.
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