Malcolm Roach was already known to be out for Week 1. The veteran defensive lineman will be unavailable through at least the first month of the campaign. 
The Broncos announced on Saturday that Roach was placed on injured reserve. A grade two calf strain will thus keep him sidelined through Denver’s first four contests at a minimum. Roach played every regular and postseason game in 2024, his debut Broncos campaign. That will not be the case this time around.
Denver’s defensive front will be expected to remain one of the league’s best through the early portion of the season and beyond, with Zach Allen, D.J. Jones and John Franklin-Myers each set to reprise their roles as starters. Still, being without Roach will deal a blow to the Broncos’ D-line. The 27-year-old handled a 42% snap share on defense last season and set a new career high in tackles (43) and sacks (2.5).
Roach is owed $2.75MM this season, the final one of his deal. The former UDFA would stand to benefit from another productive campaign with respect to his market value, just like Franklin-Myers. Plenty of time remains for a return at some point, but Roach’s absence could hurt his free agent stock while also leaving Denver shorthanded along the defensive interior for a stretch.
In a corresponding move, quarterback Sam Ehlinger has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. The former Colts passer was among Denver’s roster cuts last week but he remained in place by signing to the team’s taxi squad. That decision came after two offers were made by outside suitors for a spot on their 53-man rosters. Ehlinger elected to stay put, and Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette notes the Broncos planned to make room for him on the active roster in the near future. That opportunity has now arrived.
Bo Nix will handle starting duties in 2025 while looking to build off his impressive rookie season. Jarrett Stidham will once again operate as Denver’s backup, but Ehlinger is now in place to serve as the team’s third-string (and, on gamedays, emergency QB3) option.