Michael

Bandy

Nix was methodical all afternoon, working his way downfield time and time again against the vaunted Packers defense. The Broncos’ signal-caller played turnover-free football and didn’t take a sack while leading his offense to five separate scoring drives on the day. Nix got the Broncos on the board in the second quarter when he connected with practice squad vet Michael Bandy for a 20-yard score on a catch-and-run, and added another five-yard touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey before halftime. He would add two more touchdown passes in the third quarter — one to Courtland Sutton and another to Troy Franklin — to given the Broncos the lead heading into the fourth. They would hold onto that lead the remainder of the game and now enter Week 16 with a 12-2 record. Nix’s four touchdown passes tie a career-high. He’ll be a low-end QB1 in Week 16 against a Jaguars defense that tends to create a pass funnel for opposing offenses.

A tale as true as time: the third quarterback was released at last cuts and found his way to the practice squad. Joining Ehlinger on the Broncos practice squad are: G Calvin Throckmorton, CB Reese Taylor, LB Jordan Turner, FB Adam Prentice, WR Michael Bandy, WR A.T. Perry, CB Jaden Robinson, S Delarrin Turner-Yell, ILB Garret Wallow, TE Caleb Lohner, OL Joe Michalski, LB Levelle Bailey and CB Quinton Newsome.

This wouldn’t seem like massive news if taken without the context of the current state of the Denver wide receiver room. Courtland Sutton has been ruled out with a concussion, Jerry Jeudy is questionable with illness, and rookie Marvin Mims is questionable with a hamstring injury. The fact that the team added two wide receivers to the active roster the day before the game seems to hint at the possibility they are planning to be without both Jeudy and Mims. Final word will come when the team releases their Week 17 inactives ahead of their late afternoon kickoff against the Chargers.

The team also signed WR Michael Bandy. Hinton’s stay on the PUP list only lasted a few days which is good news for a player fighting for a roster spot this summer. The addition of Marvin Mims via the draft knocked him further down the depth chart. Coming off a season with 24 catches for 311 yards, Hinton may be on the outside looking in when the Broncos cut their roster down.

Bandy was a preseason standout but ultimately got cut by the Chargers as they narrowed down to their 53-man roster. He was signed to the team’s practice squad and has since been promoted to the active roster. With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen out this week, Bandy earned career-highs in targets and receptions. Assuming both receivers are out in Week 10, Bandy is worth stashing in deeper leagues.

Kelley sprained his MCL in Week 6 and will now miss a minimum of four games. With the Chargers on bye in Week 8, that means he will be out through Week 11, at minimum. Preseason standout WR Michael Bandy was signed to the active roster in a corresponding move after being elevated for three consecutive weeks. Bandy’s signing could indicate Keenan Allen will be held out this week as the team heads into their bye week, with final word not expected to come until 90-minutes prior to Sunday’s afternoon kickoff. Recent addition Sony Michel will serve as the change of pace back behind Austin Ekeler.

Bandy showed out in three preseason games for LA, finishing second among all receivers with 18 receptions on 23 targets for 174 yards and two scores against second and third-string defenders. Bandy’s preseason performances could help him find a home on another team’s practice squad.

Rightfully so. Bandy (5'11/190) is on the undrafted free agency watch list after an 88-1,698-14 receiving line last year. The Toreros can sling the football around FCS fields, so Bandy should post another big season in 2019 before heading into the pre-draft process. Bandy, of course, will need to shred athletic testing to sneak into the actual draft. If that doesn’t work out, Bandy plans on going to law school.