Lohner is expected to miss two weeks after undergoing a lower-body procedure, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports. Klis adds that Lohner's procedure was a routine cleanup and that he'll be fully ready for training camp. The second-year tight end spent his rookie season on the Broncos' practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January. Lohner was lauded by Denver coach Sean Payton as a standout performer while participating in rookie minicamp this May, and he'll look to impress once again when he's healthy this offseason.
Denver coach Sean Payton said that Lohner "stood out" during rookie minicamp, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports. Lohner was a seventh-round selection by the Broncos in the 2025 NFL Draft despite the fact that he played only one year of college football. The 6-foot-7 tight end spent much more time playing basketball and made the 2021 WCC All-Freshman Team in that sport, and Denver drafted him with the hope that his size and athleticism would eventually translate into the ability to be a productive NFL tight end. Payton lauded Lohner's growth and advanced learning curve during the team's recent rookie minicamp, adding that Lohner is in "great shape," per Rachel Vigil of AltitudeTV. Lohner spent all of his rookie campaign on the team's practice squad, and it's unlikely that he'll be a major factor for the Broncos during the upcoming season, but it sounds like Denver sees him as a potential piece of its future.
The Broncos signed Lohner to a reserve/future contract Monday, Aric DiLalla of the team's official site reports. The rookie seventh-rounder spent the entire season on the Broncos' practice squad after not making the 53-man roster following the conclusion of training camp. Lohner's lone elevation to the active roster came ahead of the Broncos' AFC divisional-round clash against the Bills, but he ended up being a healthy scratch. A future contract means Lohner will be on the Broncos' 90-man roster when the offseason officially kicks off Feb. 9, which will allow the Utah product to participate in OTAs and minicamp.