Broncos tight end Greg Dulcich returned to practice for the first time since he aggravated a hamstring injury in mid-October against Kansas City.
Dulcich has up to 21 days to practice before he must be activated from injured reserve or shelved for the rest of the season, but he was a full participant Wednesday, leaving open the possibility he returns as early as Saturday night at Detroit.
“We’ve studied body weight, gait, how he runs, what’s different from college,” Payton said of Dulcich, who’s played in only parts of Denver’s season opener and a Week 6 loss to Kansas City due to recurring right hamstring injuries that date to his rookie season. “He’s flown everywhere with his rehab. I do think we’ve got a real good handle relative to moving forward. He’s seen a lot of specialists.
“A lot of times, ‘How much weight is the chassis meant to carry?’ I say that respectfully. And then pay attention to it. He’s been diligent, extremely diligent in the recovery and everything he’s needed to do.”
In Dulcich’s absence, the Broncos have missed almost any semblance of a down-the-field receiving threat from the tight end position. As a rookie, Dulcich had 33 catches for 411 yards and a pair of touchdowns over 10 games. He missed the first five and final two game because of hamstring injuries.
“He gives us speed and an element that’s uniquely different” Payton said. “Quite honestly, our young guy, Lucas (Krull) is really doing a good job with a similar type of role, if you will. But it was good to have (Dulcich) out there today and it certainly will help.”
Other injury updates. The Broncos on Wednesday were without outside linebacker Nik Bonitto (knee) and safety P.J. Locke (neck). Neither were present during the portion of practice open to reporters.
Bonitto sported a brace on his left knee during the latter stages of Sunday’s win against Los Angeles after he was injured early in the game.
The extent of Bonitto’s injury is not known, but when asked if he may need a stint on injured reserve, Payton said, “No, no, no. We’ll keep you posted, though.”
Running back Samaje Perine (knee/rest) also did not participate, while outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (ankle) was limited.
One other face around Broncos practice Wednesday: Safety Caden Sterns, who has been out since a Week 1 patellar tendon tear. He watched practice from the sideline.
Baby Wilson. Russell and Ciara Wilson didn’t travel back to Denver on Sunday after the Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers.
Instead, they went to the hospital to welcome their fourth child, Amora Princess Wilson.
“We got two wins in 12 hours,” Wilson told reporters Wednesday. “It was a good day for the Broncos, good day for the Wilsons. It was a blessing.”
Ciara was at the game, too, and then headed for the hospital after it ended.
“It was around that time, so we knew it was going to happen, so when we got the schedule we were like, ‘This could happen in L.A.,’” Russell Wilson said. “Sure enough it did. It’s just a blessing to have another child, I have four of them with ‘C’ and we’re super grateful.”
Had the baby come earlier, Wilson said, he still would have played.
“I would have gone to the game,” he said with a smile. “We have winning to do.”
Wilson wasn’t the only offensive player to welcome a child over the weekend. Payton indicated left guard Ben Powers and his wife did, as well.
“Ben doesn’t have 2.8 million (social media) followers, though, so less people know about Ben’s baby” Payton quipped. “Those two guys both had baby girls.”
International games expanding. The Broncos and other teams in the NFL will soon be playing an international game every other year on average.
The NFL on Wednesday approved an expansion of the annual international slate from four games to eight by 2025. That means 16 slots for an international game each year. A team can’t be compelled to play overseas multiple times in a year, so half the league could be playing internationally each season.
The NFL also approved a 2024 game in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which will mark the first time a game’s been played in that country.
Denver most recently played internationally in 2022, beating Jacksonville in London. Its international partner country is Mexico, but no games are being played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City currently as the grounds undergo renovations ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
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