MCKENZIE LOSES ROLE AS TEAM’S PUNT RETURNER
When Isaiah McKenzie dropped his fifth punt of the season Sunday night, he lost more than the ball. He also lost his job.
Wide receiver Jordan Taylor will take over as the punt returner for the Broncos, coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday, ending — at least for now — a tumultuous run at the position for McKenzie, the rookie out of Georgia.
McKenzie’s ill-timed muffed punt against the Patriots, which came just 90 seconds into the game and on the heels of a three-andout by the Broncos’ defense to begin the game, led to a New England touchdown. The fifth-round pick also lost a punt at Kansas City on Oct. 30, a miscue that led to a Chiefs field goal in a 29-19 Broncos loss.
McKenzie was awarded the job as Denver’s top returner just two weeks into training camp. He showed promise at the position at times. He has averaged 9.3 yards on 20 returns this season, which ranks 12th in the NFL. He also showed big-play potential with a 44-yard return against the Philadelphia Eagles two weekends ago.
But none of that was enough to overcome his inability to master the position’s most important requirement.
“I want to get the ball caught,” Joseph said. “That’s the first job description for a punt returner. It’s to possess the ball. We want a 10-yard average — that’s a decent average — and after that it’s up to a guy to make a play, but we have to get the ball caught. We can’t have any more issues as far as muffing the punts. Jordan is going to be the guy until Isaiah can come out of not catching the football.”
Taylor’s experience returning punts in two NFL seasons has been limited to preseason games, but Joseph expressed confidence in his ability to secure the ball.
“He’ll do it right for us,” Joseph said.
Tight ends nursing injuries. Tight ends A.J. Derby (shoulder) and Jeff Heuerman (knee) missed Wednesday’s practice because of injury.
Joseph conceded depth is “an issue” if those two players are unable to compete against the Cincinnati Bengals. The injuries to Derby and Heuerman left Virgil Green as the only tight end on the active roster to practice Wednesday.
“We have to rectify that,” he said. “We have (Austin) Traylor on our practice squad, who we can bring up and can help us if need be.”
Running back Jamaal Charles, cornerback Aqib Talib and nose tackle Domata Peko sat out practice as part of their normal veteran’s rest day.
Quarterback Brock Osweiler (shoulder), offensive tackle Donald Stephenson (calf ) and wide receivers Demaryius Thomas (knee) and Cody Latimer (knee) were limited Wednesday.
Praising Mount. The Broncos on Tuesday released veteran outside linebacker Kasim Edebali.
Joseph said the move was made to create an opportunity for Deiontrez Mount, who was signed from the practice squad Wednesday. Mount was a sixth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2015 and was signed to Denver’s practice squad at the end of the preseason.
“Mount has had a great month and half of practice, rushing the passer and playing on (special) teams,” Joseph said. “So it was more about Mount earning an opportunity to be on the roster.”