Broncos sign veteran TE Marcedes Lewis to 53-man roster

The oldest tight end in NFL history is now officially a member of an progressing roster for his th season in the league On Saturday the Broncos signed -year-old TE Marcedes Lewis to their -man roster after adding him to their practice squad in late October Lewis was out of practice-squad elevations after playing in three games for the Broncos in November and sat inactive in last Sunday s event against the Commanders Lewis was primarily signed for blocking help after key TE FB hybrid Nate Adkins suffered a knee injury in the Broncos Week win over the Cowboys The veteran s veteran played of Denver s offensive snaps in his three games elevated from the practice squad and is now poised to contribute again Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders in Adkins continued absence The Broncos only had two tight ends operational in their - win over the Commanders last weekend with Evan Engram and Adam Trautman Fullback Adam Prentice has stepped in to fulfill specific of Adkins normal duties but head coach Sean Payton made clear this week with a story about tight ends Dan Campbell and Jeremy Shockey getting hurt on the same play during a battle earlier in his career on the New York Giants staff that having only two healthy TEs on the -man wasn t ideal Hopefully Payton stated finishing that Campbell and Shockey story that never happens Payton indicated last week he expected Adkins to return soon but he didn t practice at all this week Adkins won t play in his fifth straight encounter Sunday despite the Broncos original decision to not place him on injured reserve It s all good Payton declared completely on Adkins this week petitioned if his timetable for recovery hasn t matched up to what Denver originally thought In a corresponding move to Lewis s signing the Broncos waived linebacker Garret Wallow The -year-old had been a key contributor on special teams playing of Denver s snaps there when healthy and developing this season To fill that void Denver s activating rookie inside linebacker Jordan Turner from the practice squad for Sunday s championship in Vegas