D.J.

Jones

Jones’ absence is due to an ankle injury, leaving the Broncos’ defense without its starting nose tackle. DL Zach Allen (calf) is active as is WR Pat Bryant (hamstring) after missing two practice days. Allen has tallied 48 quarterback pressures and eight sacks so far this season. He has strong odds of increasing both sums against Raiders QB Geno Smith (foot), who enters Week 14 with the second-highest sack total (46) this year.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal includes $26 million fully guaranteed. Jones was set to hit free agent this week but Denver wasn’t letting the big man see the open market. Jones is a lane-clogger in the run game and has nine TFLs to his name in three years with the Broncos. He has just five sacks over that period but gets his hands up in the passing game, breaking up three passes in 2024. Jones also scooped up a fumble last year and forced three fumbles in the previous season. He will return as a staple of Denver’s run defense for 2025.

Also DNP for the Broncos was DT D.J. Jones. LB Baron Browning, DT Mike Purcell, S Justin Simmons, and LB Justin Strnad were all limited. Denver’s defense has struggled this season and getting all these defenders back to full health will be key. Clark and company will work to play for Week 6 against the Chiefs on Thursday.

He got in a limited session after missing practice on Thursday with this new shoulder injury. Kansas City’s running backs could find more space to operate if Jones is ruled out.

He was added with the injury today after a full practice yesterday. If Jones -- who got a huge contract this offseason to help control the run -- misses time, the Chiefs running backs could be in line for a bit of a matchup boost against Denver this week.

He did pass the concussion protocol according to Nathaniel Hackett, so it looks like he’s on the optimistic side of questionable. His return will not be a welcome sight for anyone expecting good things for Josh Jacobs and the rest of Vegas’ run game.

Denver’s major offseason nose tackle investment has missed back-to-back practices with a concussion suffered on Sunday Night Football. He appears to be on the doubtful side of questionable for Week 4’s game against the Raiders.

Jones got a three-year, $30 million contract in the offseason as Denver’s primary run stuffer. He had one pass defensed before leaving. They’re likely evaluating him for a concussion.

The interior defensive lineman market has been hot Monday, the first day of free agency. In Jones, the Broncos get a natural replacement for DT Shelby Harris, who was traded to the Seahawks in the Russell Wilson deal. Jones turned 27 in January and appeared in all 17 games for the Niners last year, registering two sacks and grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 20 interior defensive lineman with strong marks in run defense and pass rushing.

Jones was the starting one-technique on the 49ers’ star-filled defensive line. San Francisco will be trotting out Jones, DT Javon Kinlaw, DE Nick Bosa, and DE Arik Armstead this upcoming season. The talent is there for a bounce-back campaign. Jones will be 26 years old.