The Denver Broncos have shaken up their roster coming out of their win over the New York Jets in London in Week 6 and before hosting the New York Giants in Week 7, and they looked to two of their AFC rivals to do it, signing J.T. Gray and Karsen Barnhart.
The moves come just two days after Broncos head coach Sean Payton suggested the team could explore trade options before the November 4 deadline.
Gray is a former First Team All-Pro who Payton knows well.
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GettyJ.T. Gray #48 of the New Orleans Saints reacts following the play against the Atlanta Falcons.
News of the Broncos’ decision to sign Gray first emerged on Monday out of New Orleans. An undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints out of Mississippi State in 2018, Gray was also a Second Team All-Pro in 2019 and 2024.
Gray played for Payton and Broncos special teams coach Darren Rizzi in New Orleans.
“The Broncos signed JT Gray from the Ravens practice squad, per source,” NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported on X on October 13.
DNVR’s Zac Stevens called Gray a “big addition” for the Broncos’ special teams units.
“Denver needs some help on ST and Gray has been an All-Pro for Darren Rizzi in New Orleans,” The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel posted on X in his corroborating report.
It was in that final campaign with Payton that Gray earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors for his work on special teams. The 29-year-old safety by trade saw action in all 17 regular-season games for the Saints in 2024, but he has yet to play this season.
Broncos Add Former Chargers OL to Practice Squad Roster
GettyKarsen Barnhart #61, Jamaree Salyer #68, and Will Dissly #89 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate a touchdown against the Detroit Lions.
Barnhart’s signing came after a workout in a four-player group, with the former Los Angeles Chargers O-lineman joining Denver’s practice squad. An undrafted free agent out of the National Champion Michigan Wolverines, Barnhart was released from the Chargers in August.
“#Broncos have signed offensive lineman Karsen Barnhart to practice squad, source said. Denver worked him out yesterday,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans reported on X on October 14. “Former CFP national champ w Michigan, spent last year on Chargers’ practice squad. Another OL body for Denver.”
Barnhart and Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins were teammates in LA during the 2024 season. Barnhart has yet to suit up for a regular-season contest in his young career.
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OL lineup for these snaps: RT Corey Stewart (#65) RG Jamaree Salyer (68) C Zion Johnson (77) LG Karsen Barnhart (61) LT Trey Pipkins (79)
His pre-draft profile from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted Barnhart’s versatility.
“Barnhart is likely an interior line prospect as a pro. He has decent size and length as a guard, but he doesn’t play with enough pop into contact. He’s missing twitchy, sudden hands to snap into pass rushers and run defenders for early leads in the rep,” Zierlein wrote before the 2024 draft, giving the prospect a seventh-round draft ceiling.
“Barnhart is an adequate technician on double-teams and single blocks but rarely uproots and dumps opponents at the point of attack. He’s an athletic pull-blocker but fails to excite enough in any phase.”
Broncos Must Make More Roster Moves
GettyDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton looks on before facing the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Broncos have had to shuffle their offensive line around in the wake of Ben Powers’ bicep tear, which has landed him on injured reserve. His replacement, Matt Peart, struggled. Barnhart remains an unlikely replacement, but he does provide depth if someone else moves up.
Still, the Broncos are expected to remain active in fleshing out their roster.
“Means corresponding moves are coming for both active roster + psquad — team’s at 53 and 17 there, respectively,” Evans said in another post.
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