The Denver Broncos promoted veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis and guard Calvin Throckmorton to the active roster for Thursday’s road game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos (12-3) also elevated inside linebacker Levelle Bailey and wide receiver Michael Bandy from the practice squad for the game, waived running back Cody Schrader and placed starting center Luke Wattenberg (shoulder) on injured reserve.
The Chiefs (6-9) signed linebacker Cole Christiansen from the practice squad to the active roster, elevated wide receiver Jason Brownlee and offensive tackle Matt Waletzko from the practice squad and placed receiver Nikko Remigio (knee) on injured reserve after he did not practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Wattenberg, 28, had started all 15 games for the Broncos this season. He has played in 51 games (29 starts) since Denver had selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Lewis, 41, has played in four games (one start) for the Broncos this season with no targets and 66 snaps on offense.
Denver was thin at tight end with reserve Nate Adkins (knee) ruled out for the game after not practicing this week and Adam Trautman, the backup to starter Evan Engram, making the injury report on Wednesday because of illness and being estimated as a non-participant.
Jacksonville selected Lewis 28th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Only Aaron Rodgers is older than Lewis among active NFL players this season.
Lewis has 437 career receptions for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns in 289 regular-season games (230 starts) for the Jaguars (2006-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-22), Chicago Bears (2023-24) and Broncos. He also has 16 catches for 153 yards and one TD in 10 playoff games (all starts).
Throckmorton, 29, has appeared in nine games this season as a reserve. He has played in 57 career games (27 starts) for the New Orleans Saints (2021-22), Carolina Panthers (2023), Tennessee Titans (2023) and Broncos (2024-present).
