The Denver Broncos are heading into Week 16 with some much-needed reinforcements - and just in time, too. While a few injuries still linger, the team is in relatively solid shape for this stage of the season, and the return of two key players could provide a timely boost as Denver gears up to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Let’s start with the offensive line, where the Broncos are getting a big piece back. Starting left guard Ben Powers has officially been activated from injured reserve after missing a significant chunk of the season with a biceps injury he suffered back in Week 5 against the Eagles.
Up until that point, Powers had been a fixture in the lineup, never missing a start since joining the team. His return marks the end of a roughly 12-week recovery window - right on schedule.
Don’t expect Powers to jump right back into an every-snap workload, though. Head coach Sean Payton has already indicated that Powers will be on a snap count this week, which means we’ll likely see some continued action from Alex Palczewski, who’s filled in admirably during Powers’ absence. Palczewski has held his own, and the Broncos now have the luxury of rotating between a proven starter and a capable backup - a rare bit of depth at a position group that’s been tested across the league all season.
On the other side of the ball, Denver is also welcoming back safety Delarrin Turner-Yell, who’s set to make his long-awaited return to game action. This isn’t just a short-term injury comeback - Turner-Yell has been out since Week 17 of the 2023 season, when he tore his ACL on New Year’s Eve. He missed the entire 2024 campaign and has spent nearly two full years grinding his way back from one of the toughest injuries in football.
Now, he’s finally ready to suit up again. The Broncos elevated Turner-Yell from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s matchup, and his return couldn’t come at a better time.
With Brandon Jones recently placed on injured reserve, the safety room is thin, and Turner-Yell’s presence adds some much-needed depth - especially on special teams, where he’s made his biggest impact to date. The former fifth-round pick has 42 career tackles, most of them on kick and punt coverage, and he brings energy and physicality to a unit that thrives on both.
Meanwhile, linebacker Justin Strnad has been ruled out for the week. While he's not a starter, Strnad plays a key role on special teams and as a depth piece in the linebacker rotation. His absence will be felt, but the return of Powers and Turner-Yell helps soften the blow.
Bottom line: the Broncos are getting healthier at just the right time. With the playoff picture still in flux and every game carrying heavy implications, having veterans like Powers and Turner-Yell back in the fold gives this team a little more stability - and maybe even a spark - heading into the final stretch.