The Denver Broncos elevated two players from their practice squad ahead of Saturday's divisional playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, and they are two players no one would have guessed.
First off, the Broncos ruled out tight end Lucas Krull (foot) and linebacker Drew Sanders (ankle) for the game. Neither was a big surprise and neither would have been a big part of the game plan had they been healthy. But looking for an additional spark, the Broncos turned to their practice squad.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore and tight end Caleb Lohner were each elevated from the practice squad. Neither has played in a game for the Broncos this season.
In the case of Moore, the timing of his call-up is interesting as he played for the Bills in nine games this season. The Bills waived him in late November after the signing of Brandin Cooks. The Broncos signed him to their practice squad one week later.
Bills, decimated with WR injuries, could use Elijah Moore now but they waived him Nov. 26. He's now on Denver's practice squad and providing plenty of info. On Bills to #Broncos. “I did all I can in meetings. They asked me questions. Whatever they asked, I gave it to them.”
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) January 16, 2026
He caught nine passes for 112 yards for the Bills this season but he has over 200 career catches. The Broncos could easily be leaning on Moore's experience playing in Buffalo to gain an advantage on how to defend against them in this game.
Lohner, on the other hand, is the former basketball player the Broncos used a seventh-round pick on this past spring. He has yet to play in a game this season and with Evan Engram, Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins all healthy, it's incredibly interesting that the Broncos would turn to him now.
7th-rookie Caleb Lohner may be about to make his NFL debut. In a playoff game no less. #Broncos are elevating Lohner from their practice squad for game against the Bills per source. The 6-7 former college hoops player spent the year developing. Let’s see what he’s got.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) January 16, 2026
This could be a case of Sean Payton seeing something he can exploit in this game, or it could be a case of the head coach playing mind games. Either way, it's something to keep an eye on ahead of this game.
READ: 4 Broncos defenders who will be most responsible for slowing down Josh Allen, Bills
Both Moore and Lohner could be on the gameday inactive list ahead of kickoff on Saturday, but if either of them is active for this matchup, it will be highly intriguing to see how Payton plans to use them in his game plan.
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