Broncos use injured reserve move to get to 53-man roster deadline, Frank Crum set for Week 5 return eligibility

The Denver Broncos began the regular season on injured reserve by placing third-year offensive tackle Frank Crum on the list during the roster cutdown process. The move, reported by Yahoo Sports and attributed to the team’s official release, helped Denver meet the league’s 53-man roster requirement ahead of the 6:00 PM (EST) deadline that closes the preseason.

In the NFL, injured reserve is used when a player is unable to contribute immediately but is still within a framework that can allow a return after a minimum eligibility period, depending on league rules and the specific designation. In Crum’s case, the report states he will be eligible to return starting Week 5, which affects how the Broncos plan their offensive line depth over the opening stretch of the season.

For a franchise, a roster cutdown is not only about keeping starters ready. It also determines how quickly a team can stabilize its line if injuries or performance issues appear in the early weeks. By moving Crum to injured reserve rather than keeping him on the active roster, the Broncos shifted one available spot away from the weekly 53-man picture while still retaining the option to bring him back once his eligibility window opens.

Crum’s status also matters because offensive tackle is one of the most structurally important positions in the passing game and in protecting the quarterback from edge rushers. Even when a team has depth, replacing a tackle can force line rotations, change blocking assignments, or alter the mix of personnel the Broncos can deploy in different down-and-distance situations.

The immediate on-field impact will be felt during the weeks before Crum can return. While this report does not specify the reason for the injured reserve placement, it is clear the Broncos treated the situation as one that warranted removing him from the active roster for at least the early part of the season.

Denver’s next steps will be driven by who receives reps in Crum’s absence and how the group performs once Week 5 approaches. If Crum is activated when eligible, the Broncos will then evaluate whether his return improves their protection consistency and ability to keep the right five on the field more often.

As the season progresses, the most practical watch point is whether Denver’s offensive line depth holds up through the opening schedule window. With Crum’s return eligibility tied to Week 5, that timeline can become a pivot for personnel planning, including how the Broncos manage late preseason additions and spot changes during the first month of games.