Broncos Playmaker Designated to Return Off Injured Reserve

The Denver Broncos are getting a playmaker back at just the right time.

The Denver Broncos are starting the clock on tight end Greg Dulcich. The young injury-plagued playmaker has been on injured reserve for two months, nursing a lingering hamstring, but Dulcich has been designated to return.

Head coach Sean Payton dished on what a (hopefully) healthy Dulcich brings to the Broncos' offense. 

“He gives us speed [which is an] element that’s uniquely different," Payton said on Wednesday. "Quite honestly, our young guy, [TE] Lucas [Krull], is really doing a good job with a similar type of role, if you will. It was good to have him [Dulcich] out there today, and it certainly will help.”

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Dulcich suffered the initial hamstring injury in Week 1, and was subsequently placed on short-term IR, before returning to the field in Week 6. In that first game back, he aggravated the injury, and was placed back on IR until now. 

With Dulcich suffering some terrible injury misfortune and the Albert Okwuegbunam trade long in the rear-view, Payton has turned to Lucas Krull as a young tight end who can bring an element of speed and explosiveness. However, Dulcich is a much smoother athlete and an uber-talented pass-catcher. 

If he's healthy, Dulcich is a no-brainer to see the field in front of every tight end, especially in passing situations. Starter Adam Trautman has had a couple of decent games this season as a receiver, catching a touchdown pass last week in L.A. — his third of the year. 

But Trautman is only averaging 7.9 yards per catch and just 12.5 receiving yards per game. He's a solid blocker, but he's added little to the Broncos' passing attack. 

Dulcich has the upside to be a potential star in this league. But that ceiling has been lowered precipitously by a serious penchant for hamstring injuries. 

As a third-round pick last year, Dulcich was a high-impact player when he was on the field. But that when was spotty, as he missed seven games to injury in 2022. 

Payton isn't about to show his hand relative to Dulcich's outlook for Week 15's road tilt with the Detroit Lions, but going by how the Broncos have managed the return of previous players off IR and the PUP list, it'd be an upset if the young tight end isn't activated in time to play. While Dulcich has licked his wounds and rehabbed on IR, the Broncos' medical staff has been faced with the task of figuring out why he keeps suffering these severe hamstring injuries. 

“We’ve studied body weight, gait, how he runs, and what’s different from college," Payton said of Dulcich. "He’s flown everywhere with his rehab. I do think we have a really good handle relative to moving forward. He’s seen a lot of specialists. A lot of times [it’s about] how much weight is the [body] meant to carry. I say that respectfully. Then, [it’s about] paying attention to it. He’s been really diligent—extremely diligent—in the recovery and everything he’s needed to do.”

In 12 career games (seven starts), Dulcich has totaled 36 receptions for 436 yards (12.1 avg) and two touchdowns. Comparing Dulcich's career production to Trautman's through 12 games, all of which he's started in Denver, it's clear to see why the Broncos have left no stone unturned in their search to figure out how to stave off the injury bug's unique obsession with the former UCLA star. 

So far, so good on Dulcich's return. He was a full participant in the Broncos' Wednesday practice. A good omen. 

A player can be placed on IR and return to the active roster twice in a single season. This will be the second time for Dulcich this season. 

NFL teams can only activate eight total players from IR throughout the regular season. When Dulcich is added to the 53-man roster (could be as soon as Friday), he'll count as the fourth Bronco activated this season, along with safety P.J. Locke and wideout Brandon Johnson. 

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