Denver made a tough call right at the wire, officially placing third-year offensive tackle Frank Crum on injured reserve as the team finalized its 53-man roster. This move was crucial to hit that 6:00 PM EST deadline, forcing the Broncos to make a difficult decision just as the season looms large. It’s always a punch to the gut when a player lands on IR before the season even truly begins, and it definitely shakes things up for the offensive line depth.
The Injury That Changed Frank Crum’s Outlook
Man, talk about a gut punch: Crum caught a leg injury back in that preseason Week 2 game against the Green Bay Packers. It’s the kind of early season setback that just crushes you, especially when you’re fighting for a spot and trying to build on your previous years. Following that unfortunate Week 2 incident, Crum was completely sidelined. He was kept out of practice for the entire past week, which is never a good sign. To add to the concern, he wasn’t even active in the Broncos’ preseason finale victory over the Minnesota Vikings. That absence from the finale really signaled that something serious was going on and paved the way for this roster decision.
A Developmental Project’s Unexpected Detour
Crum joined the Broncos as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Wyoming in 2024, and he’s been a classic developmental project for Assistant Head Coach Zach Strief and Offensive Line Coach Chris Morgan. These guys have been pouring time and effort into him, hoping to mold him into a solid contributor. Over his first two seasons with Denver, Crum really worked to prove his worth, becoming one of the key backups to Mike McGlinchey at right tackle. He’s seen the field in 17 regular season games, even earning two starts in that time. That’s solid experience for a developmental guy, which makes this leg injury even more frustrating. It definitely puts a pause on his progress and leaves the coaching staff to adjust their plans for the immediate future.
What This Means for the Broncos’ Season Kickoff
With Frank Crum heading to injured reserve, the Broncos’ offensive line depth takes an immediate hit right before the regular season kicks off. While Crum has been a backup, his experience with 17 regular season games and two starts meant he was a known quantity the team could rely on. Now, without him, the coaches will need to lean on other personnel to fill that void, especially behind Mike McGlinchey. This early season challenge means the rest of the offensive line unit really needs to step up and stay healthy. It’s a sudden hurdle for the Broncos as they prepare to open their 2026 campaign, and all eyes will be on how they adapt without Crum.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mile High Report.
Leave a Reply