The Denver Broncos are promoting running back Blake Watson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, coach Sean Payton announced Tuesday.
Denver had room for Watson on the active roster after waiving cornerback Levi Wallace on Tuesday. If Wallace clears waivers, he will be a candidate to return on the practice squad.
Watson (5-9, 195 pounds) signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of Memphis this spring. He made the team’s initial 53-man roster this summer but was a healthy scratch for five of the team’s first six games before being bumped down to the practice squad.
With Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) sidelined last week, Watson was elevated from the practice squad and served as the team’s No. 3 running back behind Audric Estime and Javonte Williams. Watson rushed four times for 10 yards and hauled in one catch for 13 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers last week.
It remains to be seen how the backfield will shake out going forward. One of Williams, Estime, McLaughlin or Watson will likely be inactive on game days. Payton has indicated that he wants to see more of Estime and Watson, so the team might have a surprise scratch at RB in Week 17.
