The Denver Broncos activated running back Audric Estime (ankle) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster on Saturday, the team announced.
Estime (5-11, 227 pounds) injured his ankle in the team’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. After sitting out the last four games, Estime became eligible to return ahead of a Week 6 showdown with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Estime will now return to serving as the team’s third-string running back behind Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin. Blake Watson will presumably be a healthy scratch again now that Estime has returned.
Denver picked Estime in the fifth round of this year’s NFL draft out of Notre Dame. He rushed twice for 14 yards and one first down in his NFL debut.
The Broncos also promoted safety Tanner McCalister from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday. The team had room for Estime and McCalister on the active roster after placing center Luke Wattenberg and wide receiver Josh Reynolds on injured reserve.
Denver’s game against Los Angeles will be regionally televised on CBS. Despite playing at home with a three-game winning streak, the Broncos are considered underdogs against the Chargers this week.
