Broncos ILB Dre Greenlaw active at practice for first time in weeks, but scratched for Colts matchup

On Monday, as uncertainty continued to reign around Dre Greenlaw’s status, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said reporters would see the free-agent linebacker “sooner than later.”

“Sooner,” it turns out, was four days.

Greenlaw was dressed and active for Friday’s viewing portion of practice open to media members, the first time he’s been seen taking the field since the week of Aug. 18 ahead of the Broncos’ final preseason game. It’s an encouraging sign for Denver, as the organization hasn’t put Greenlaw on short-term injured reserve despite his absence.

Still, Greenlaw was predictably designated out for the Broncos’ matchup with the Colts on Sunday. The linebacker has primarily been seen doing rehab work on a side field across the last few weeks and was inactive last week. His health has been touch-and-go since he tore his quad in offseason work, and since he re-injured the area in late July.

The Broncos have taken a clear long-term approach with Greenlaw. Agent J.R. Carroll previously told The Denver Post that Greenlaw’s had no issues with the organization’s plan for him, and said the team has done “an excellent job managing his expectations.”

Denver signed Greenlaw to a three-year, $31.5 million deal in free agency after six standout years with the San Francisco 49ers. Greenlaw hasn’t played a healthy season since tearing his Achilles in a fluke moment in February 2024’s Super Bowl. When active, he’s a physical sideline-to-sideline threat as a tackler with excellent skills in coverage.

Greenlaw’s return to practice Friday could well mean he’s on track to suit up for Week 3 against the Chargers, a highly important early-season AFC West matchup against one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Justin Herbert.

Evan Engram full-go: After coming up hobbling and grabbing at his calf last Sunday against the Titans, tight end Engram was fully cleared to play against the Colts.

After initially heading to the medical tent in the second half against Tennessee, Engram came back to play a single snap but told The Denver Post in the locker room Friday that it just “didn’t feel right” and jogged off to examine his calf. He’s fully healthy for the trip to Indianapolis, though, and will look for more involvement than a three-catch Week 1 Broncos debut.

“He’s going to be one of those matchups that we want to take advantage of,” Payton said.