If the Denver Broncos have a roster concern despite being the AFC's number one seed, it is at the running back position. There was already concern following the loss of J.K. Dobbins to a significant foot injury, but after the team's win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, news trickled in of RJ Harvey having to leave that game with a rib injury.
It remains to be seen what long-term effects that injury could have on the rookie running back, who has been terrific for the team this season. But to pad the roster, the Broncos claimed running back Cody Schrader off waivers on Monday.
Though Schrader has had a quiet career in the NFL, the time he spent in Jacksonville this season could be a key reason or even the reason, this move was made.
The Broncos will be the fourth team that Schrader has played for in 2025 alone. He signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers. He was waived that summer and was claimed by the Los Angeles Rams. After being waived by the Rams at the end of the preseason, he was signed by the Jaguars, who the Broncos will play in Week 16.
Could Sean Payton have made this move in order to pick the brain of Schrader and see what he can learn about Liam Coen's tendencies? It's certainly possible.
Who is new #Broncos RB Cody Schrader? @CecilLammey @JoshuaDover break it down... "Dover & Cecil" 10a to 2p M-F... Join The Tribe pic.twitter.com/PdP9gtsyve
— Denver Sports 104.3 (@DenSports1043) December 17, 2025
The Jaguars waived Schrader earlier this month and he was claimed by the Houston Texans, who waived him less than a week later. He now comes to Denver, who may have also been looking to one-up the Jaguars with the signing. Following the Jaguars' Week 15 win over the New York Jets, it was announced that rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten would undergo surgery for a fractured finger.
It's quite possible that the Jaguars would have brought Schrader back due to his familiarity with their system but Payton and the Broncos beat them to the punch. Instead, the Jaguars opted to sign veteran running back DeeJay Dallas.
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Following the signing of Schrader, the Broncos released running back Sincere McCormick from their practice squad, whom they had just recently signed. There are plenty of moving parts at the running back spot in Denver. The team will hope that Harvey is ready to go on Sunday against Jacksonville, but the addition of Schrader seems to point to a strategic move by Payton for this specific opponent more than anything else.
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