Muti returns; Glasgow on IR

Tuesday brought a flurry of roster moves for the Broncos ahead of Denver’s Week 10 home game against the Eagles.

The Broncos activated guard Netane Muti from the Covid/reserve list and added cornerback Michael Ojemudia and inside linebacker Justin Strnad to that list. Plus, they placed guard Graham Glasgow on injured reserve (fractured ankle) and signed guard/ center Austin Schlottmann to the active roster from the practice squad.

General manager George Paton and coach Vic Fangio weren’t done there. Cornerback Duke Dawson was waived, while wide receiver David Moore and tight end Caleb Wilson were released from the practice squad. Tackle Casey Tucker (26, no NFL game experience) and inside linebacker Avery Williamson (29, seven-year pro with 85 career starts) took their spots as the new signees to the practice squad.

Muti had played subbing for Glasgow earlier in the year, starting at right guard in Weeks 2 and 4, but rookie Quinn Meinerz figures to get the nod at the position on Sunday at Empower Field considering Muti is just returning to practice after missing two games. Glasgow is out for the rest of the season.

Dawson, acquired via trade with New England in 2019, appeared in 26 games (four starts) for the Broncos across ’19 and ’20 before tearing his ACL against Carolina in Week 14 last year. He was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday. Meanwhile, Ojemudia has not played at all in 2021 and was nearing return from a preseason hamstring injury before heading on the COVID list.

Defensively, the Broncos will miss Strnad the most among the players shelved Tuesday. The second-year pro stepped up amid the team’s rash of injuries at inside linebacker, though his role has been limited the past two games. He has 33 tackles in 2021.