Broncos Part Ways With All-Pro Playmaker After Trade Deadline
The Denver Broncos shook up their roster ahead of their “Thursday Night Football” showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders, parting ways with veteran safety and special teams maven J.T. Gray
The Broncos were among the many teams that stood pat on making any trades, but Gray’s departure marked a noteworthy day to begin Week 9, nonetheless.
For the Broncos, it is the end of an era that lasted one game.
Broncos Waive Injured Former Saints S J.T. Gray
The Broncos signed Gray to their active roster from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad in October ahead of their Week 7 showdown against the New York Giants
The 2021 Pro Bowler and First Team All-Pro logged 21 snaps, all on special teams,
He had been listed as a non-participant on the Broncos’ first injury report in Week 10.
“#Broncos released J.T. Gray with an injury designation, per the wire,”
Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who, along with head coach Sean Payton, had Gray with the New Orleans Saints, spoke highly of the veteran after he signed with the team.
“J.T. Gray, in the 30-plus years I’ve been coaching, is the best coverage player that I’ve coached. Last year, he was a Second Team All-Pro. He’s been three times, All-Pro in the last five years. Pro Bowler,”
“He brings an added dimension to the coverage aspect of it. He’s a really good, well-rounded player, but coverage is what he does best. And so, listen. We had the ability to go out and get him. And, obviously, has some familiarity with our scheme, our system, obviously, with Sean and myself. And so, it just seemed like a natural “fit.”
Gray’s injury led to his release, but it was not the only notable one for the Broncos, who held a walkthrough on Tuesday after estimating practice participation on Monday.
Broncos Deliver Good News Despite Lengthy Injury Report
GettyBrandon Jones #22 of the Denver Broncos huddles with teammates before facing the Buffalo Bills.
The Broncos listed seven players as nonparticipants on Tuesday. Of that group, four progressed to l
DBs Brandon Jones (foot),
Ditto for wide receiver and All-Pro return specialist Marvin Mims, who suffered a concussion in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys
Moreover, the Broncos upgraded defensive linemen D.J. Jones (knee) and John Franklin-Myers (shoulder) and outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper (thumb) to full sessions. There was no progress from tight end
The Broncos will look to earn their eighth victory of the season on Thursday against the Raiders.
The Raiders traded wide receiver
NFL drops the hammer on Micah Parsons in a way that makes the Packers feel even worse after loss to the Eagles
The Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. And it was despite a great defensive effort, giving up only 10 points — which wasn’t enough in an uninspiring performance by the offense, which scored seven. To make things even worse, the NFL has just fined star edge defender Micah Parsons.
Parsons was punished for tripping on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. During the play, the refs didn’t call a penalty, but the league decided to fine Parsons $12,172 as part of its weekly round of punishments. The play was considered unnecessary roughness, and categorized as striking/kicking/tripping/kneeing.
Since the Packers acquired him from the Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons has been insanely productive. Against the Eagles, he generated seven pressures, and that was his fourth game this season with at least seven — he had a season-high 10 exactly against the Cowboys in Week 4.
The other Packers players to be fined this season have been safety Xavier McKinney, punished because of a taunting penalty during the Week 1 win over the Detroit Lions; linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, fined $6,891 because of a facemask penalty in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders; linebacker Quay Walker, punished for a hit on a quarterback in Week 7; and safety Evan Williams, fined $6,448 for unnecessary roughness by hitting the quarterback against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
NFL fines
While it’s tough to see football players losing money like that for normal plays, at least it goes to a good cause. The fines collected are donated to the Professional Athletes Foundation to support legends in need.
Players are notified of violations and may appeal any ruling. Appeals officers, such as former NFL players Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster, and Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA, hear cases. The decisions made are final and binding.
The potential violations include offenses against game officials, player safety rules or flagrant personal fouls, fighting, sportsmanship, uniform rules, and gang signing.
Last year, the Packers were among the least penalized teams in football in this area. In 2024, 543 plays resulted in fines, or 1.16% of all plays in the season.
