Broncos activate OLB Baron Browning, CB Damarri Mathis and T Mike McGlinchey from injured reserve

NEW ORLEANS – Denver regained two starters ahead of a primetime battle.

The Broncos activated outside linebacker Baron Browning and activated Mike McGlinchey from injured reserve ahead of a “Thursday Night Football” matchup against the Saints, the team announced Thursday.

Denver also activated cornerback Damarri Mathis from injured reserve.

The Broncos waived running back Blake Watson in a corresponding roster change. Denver had two additional open spots on its 53-man roster Thursday.

Denver also elevated inside linebacker Kwon Alexander and guard Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the active roster for the game in New Orleans.

The Broncos also signed defensive lineman Tanner McCalister back to the practice squad.

Browning and McGlinchey each suffered injuries in Week 2 and are now eligible to play Thursday night against the Saints.

Browning recorded five tackles and one tackle for loss in 58 snaps earlier this season. He recorded 4.5 sacks in 10 games last season.

McGlinchey started the first two games of the season at right tackle before suffering an injury late in the loss to the Steelers.

Mathis has not played yet this season after suffering an injury in the preseason. He started in six games last year and has appeared in 33 contests for Denver since being drafted in 2022.

Alexander is a nine-year veteran who has started 88 career games and recorded 631 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, five fumble recoveries and nine interceptions. He signed with the Broncos' practice squad before Week 4 but has never appeared in a game for the Broncos.

Throckmorton was named to the Week 6 game in Denver but did not participate in the contest. He has started 27 games and appeared in 46 contests over the last three years.

Watson, a rookie, appeared in the Broncos' game against the Raiders but did not carry the football.