Broncos activate Coleman and Cooper; Badie, Elliss to IR
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos activated running back Jonah Coleman and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper on Oct. 24, 2026, the team announced Saturday. Denver placed running back Tyler Badie and outside linebacker Jonah Elliss on injured reserve in corresponding roster moves. The team also elevated safety Taylor Rapp and defensive back Sean Fresch Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game against the Cardinals at 2:05 p.m. MT on CBS. The transactions were announced by the Broncos on Saturday afternoon.
Coleman had been on injured reserve since being placed on the list ahead of Week 3 and missed the last four games before his activation. In his last game action, Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he recorded 58 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The Broncos designated him to return from injured reserve on Wednesday after he returned to practice. His activation restores depth to Denver’s backfield following Badie’s move to injured reserve.
Cooper was removed from the Commissioner’s Exempt list and could make his season debut on Sunday, the team said. He has recorded at least eight sacks, eight tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits in each of the last three seasons. His return adds a veteran edge to Denver’s edge-rush rotation. The timing gives the Broncos an additional option on the outside as they prepare for the Cardinals.
Badie and Elliss will each be required to miss at least the next four games under injured reserve rules, the team noted, and both would be eligible to return as early as Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Sean Payton indicated this week that Elliss’ injury is not expected to be season-ending. The moves created short-term roster openings that Denver filled from its practice squad and active list. The Broncos will monitor recovery timelines and roster needs as the season progresses.
Rapp and Fresch were elevated from the practice squad in the corresponding moves. Rapp made his Broncos debut in Week 6 and played 65 snaps against the Seattle Seahawks, establishing himself quickly in the safety rotation. The team also ruled out safety Talanoa Hufanga on Friday for the game, the Broncos reported. Fresch has now been elevated for three games and has played 33 percent of Denver’s special teams snaps over the last two weeks; he would need to be promoted to the active roster to appear in games beyond Week 7.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The activations and injured reserve placements create immediate roster clarity for the Broncos ahead of Sunday’s game. Coleman’s return provides Denver with a back who has shown scoring ability in limited action this season, helping offset the loss of Badie for at least a month. Cooper’s reinstatement off the Commissioner’s Exempt list restores a proven pass-rush contributor who has posted consistent production in recent seasons, which should help the front seven. Elevating Rapp and Fresch underscores Denver’s reliance on young defensive backs for depth and special teams support while the team manages injuries.