The Denver Broncos are taking a calculated approach to their AFC Divisional Playoff game at home against the Buffalo Bills, which was quite evident in their latest set of attention-grabbing roster adjustments.
The Bills eliminated the Broncos from the 2024 postseason, but that was in Buffalo.
Payton and the Broncos boast the AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage, but the wily head coach felt the need for even more options on the roster.
Broncos Beat Potential ‘Chess Move,’ Add Elijah Moore to Roster
GettyElijah Moore #8 of the New York Jets reacts against the New England Patriots.
The Broncos announced via their official website on January 16 that they elevated wide receiver Elijah Moore from their practice squad to the game-day roster to face the Bills.
Notably, Moore began the 2025 regular season with the Bills. He played in nine games for the franchise, catching nine passes for 122 yards. The Bills released Moore on November 26, and the Broncos signed him to their practice squad on December 2.
Moore did not get into any regular-season games for the Broncos.
He could make his debut against one of his former teams with a trip to the AFC Championship Game on the line.
“Good team,” Moore said of the Bills, per 9News’ Mike Klis in a post on X on January 13, well ahead of the Broncos’ announcement that he would be on the game-day roster. “Going to be a great matchup. I like us.”
Moore, 25, was the 34th overall pick in the 2021 draft by the New York Jets.
An undersized, but speedy and dynamic playmaker, Moore has also played for the Cleveland Browns during his career.
Moore had eight receptions for 111 yards on 14 targets in a Week 11 loss to the Broncos last season while with the Browns. The veteran has a 209-2,274-9 career line as a receiver and also adds value as a return man.
The Broncos also beat the Bills to the speculative punch.
“The chess move for the Bills this week would be to sign Elijah Moore off the Broncos practice squad,” NFL Network’s Michael F. Florio noted in a post on X on January 12.
Ex-College Basketball Player Caleb Lohner Called Up
GettyCaleb Lohner #84 of the Utah Utes catches a touchdown pass over JD Drew #3 of the Utah State Aggies.
The Broncos’ roster shuffle continued on offense, where, along with Moore, they tapped rookie tight end Caleb Lohner for a game-day roster spot. Denver selected Lohner with the No. 241 overall pick in the 2025 draft.
He did not play during the regular season and logged 57 career snaps in college.
“Developmental project coming from the basketball world and attempting to prove he can stick in football,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the draft.
“There will obviously be an emphasis on fundamentals and technique early in his career. His ball skills are natural, though, and his athleticism is a huge plus. He’s a likely practice squad stash early in his career, but we’ve seen a number of hoopers make the transition over the years. Lohner could be the next in line if he proves he has the toughness for the NFL game.”
Lohner gets the nod after the Broncos decided not to activate fellow tight end Lucas Krull from injured reserve. The Broncos are otherwise healthy at the tight end spot and most other positions on their roster heading into Saturday’s showdown with the Bills.
Broncos Add Former Bills Veteran, Converted Basketball Player in Roster Shake-Up