Sean Payton Provides Staggering Update on Injured Broncos Playmaker
The Denver Broncos' passing-game production from the tight end group has been downright lamentable this season. Things might have been different if the second-year tight end Greg Dulcich wasn't frustratingly stuck on injured reserve again.
Dulcich has been plagued by fragile hamstrings since the Broncos invested a third-round pick on him in 2022, but head coach Sean Payton remains hopeful that the 23-year-old will return to the roster before this season concludes.
"I think we'll see him again this year, yeah," Payton told reporters on Thursday.
In Dulcich's absence, veteran Adam Trautman currently leads the way for the Broncos tight ends, but with only 11 catches for 69 total yards and one touchdown. Behind Trautman has been undrafted rookie Nate Adkins with four receptions, and primary blocking tight end Chris Manhertz has caught just one solitary pass.
Without the extra punch and explosiveness downfield that Dulcich was supposed to provide, Payton has been forced to rely on the serviceable blocking capabilities of the tight ends he's got left. Dulcich's lingering injury issue continues to puzzle Payton greatly — it also has led to the young player to outside medical opinions.
"There's a process," Payton said about Dulcich's recovery from a severe hamstring injury. "I know he's one of the guys that's working his tail off... He's seeing specialists. You look closely at—you also look closely at other things like gait. How much weight should he be at? He's a little heavier than he was in college, like most players. All that stuff we're working on, but he's making progress."
So long as the Broncos are moving the ball effectively on the ground, perhaps Dulcich's absence can be mitigated. No Broncos moves were forthcoming at the trade deadline to acquire an additional pair of hands at the position either, so the only hope for help at tight end comes in the form of Dulcich returning in time to make an impact down the stretch.
Dulcich can't be relied on from an availability point of view until he proves otherwise and over a sustained period of time. It's of paramount importance that the former UCLA Bruin gets back on the field this season, especially for his career outlook.
Adding an explosive pass-catching tight end into the mix down the stretch would be an effective trump card for Payton to play, so the Dulcich situation is likely intriguing and frustrating in equal measure. Even if Dulcich returns to any kind of tangible success this season, fans can still fully expect the Broncos to address the tight end position during both free agency and the draft process.
Albert Okwuegbunam would sure come in handy for the Broncos right about now...
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