The Denver Broncos altered their roster before of their Week 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens. They persuaded fullback and Super Bowl winner Michael Burton to “take one for the team,” as 9News’ Mike Klis put it in an X post on November 1.
The Broncos announced that Burton had been cut to make room on the 53-man roster for offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton.
In a follow-up report, Klis said that Burton “bailed” the Broncos out of a “roster bind.”
“The bind: Backup offensive guard Calvin Throckmorton had exhausted his three practice-squad game-day elevates. So to deploy him again on Sunday in Baltimore, he has to be on the active 53-man roster,” Klis wrote on November 1.
“Thanks to Burton, room was created. Burton, a 10-year fullback, was dismissed from the Broncos’ 53-man roster on Friday in what appeared to be a procedural action. Burton, who is not subject to waivers, is officially a free agent who will be re-signed to the Broncos’ practice squad on Saturday and activated for Sunday’s game against the Ravens.
Burton, 32, is in his second season with the Broncos. He was drafted in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions in 2015 and won a ring with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022.
Burton plays for Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s New Orleans Saints in 2020.
The 6-foot-247-pound talented lead blocker has previously played for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders. He has played in all eight Broncos games this season, catching all five targets thrown his way.
Sunday will be his second practice squad call-up of the season, with one more remaining. He was called up for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Broncos Cut Michael Burton, bolster the offensive line With Calvin Throckmorton.
The Broncos have suffered injuries along their offensive line. But it has primarily been at right tackle. Starter Mike McGlinchey, intended swing tackle, and gigantic tight end Quinn Bailey were all on injured reserve at one point, along with starting centre Luke Wattenberg.
Bailey is done for the season, and Wattenberg is still on injured reserve, despite performing side work during practice in Week 9.
Throckmorton’s teammates at the guard position have been healthy.
“Throckmorton has only played three offensive snaps in the three games since being upgraded. “He’s also played on 12 special teams snaps,” Klis added. “But Throckmorton would be the first one in if any of the Broncos’ two starting guards, Ben Powers and Quinn Meinerz, or centre Alex Forsyth are shaken up for a few plays.”
Throckmorton, 28, was an undrafted free agent in 2020 who signed with Payton’s Saints. He saw his first regular-season action in 2021. Throckmorton played there for two seasons before dividing the 2023 season between the Carolina Panthers and the Tennessee Titans.
Broncos Face Atypical Ravens Team
The Ravens have a deep defensive heritage. However, the 2024 Ravens have inverted the script. Baltimore is second in scoring offence.
This would be the franchise’s highest placement since the 2019 season.
This would be their third top-five finish in franchise history. In contrast, the Ravens rank 26th in scoring defence. They’ve given up 20 or more points in three of their last four games, and 30 or more in the other two.
One opponent, the Buffalo Bills in Week 4, has failed to score at least 23 points against the 2024 Ravens. The Ravens are 32nd against the pass and 1st against the run.
That is worrisome for Burton, Javonte Williams, and the running game.
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