Broncos elevate DBs Brent Austin, Sean Fresch Jr. for Week 5 game vs. Chargers
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos elevated defensive backs Brent Austin and Sean Fresch Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday’s Week 5 matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team announced Saturday. Both players received their first NFL elevations. The game is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. Mountain.
Denver signed Austin as an undrafted free agent out of California in May and added him to the practice squad in August. He appeared in all three preseason games for the Broncos, recording eight total tackles. The team noted Austin earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2025 and, across stops at James Madison, South Florida and Cal, compiled 110 total tackles, three interceptions, two pick sixes, 24 passes defensed, a fumble recovery and two forced fumbles.
Fresch initially joined the Broncos in June, and Denver signed him to the practice squad in August. He played in all three preseason games, recording three total tackles and returning three punts. The team said Fresch played five collegiate seasons at Rice and spent the last two years playing in the United Football League.
The Broncos will face the Chargers on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. Mountain. The elevations provide Denver with additional depth in the secondary and potential special-teams options for the game. Both players will be available to the coaching staff as the team finalizes its active roster for the matchup.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Elevating Austin and Fresch gives the Broncos immediate, low-risk depth while rewarding two players who contributed during the preseason and on the practice squad. Austin brings a track record of production from his college stops and showed up on special teams in preseason action, while Fresch’s recent work as a punt returner and his UFL experience add versatility. Those traits make both players logical choices for game-day elevations as Denver prepares for the Chargers matchup.