After placing running back RJ Harvey (knee) on injured reserve last week, the Denver Broncos have nine players on IR as they approach Week 9 of the 2026 NFL season.

Six of those players — Harvey (knee), wide receiver Pat Bryant (ankle), offensive tackle Frank Crum, tight end Caleb Lohner, running back Tyler Badie (thumb) and outside linebacker Jonah Elliss (ankle) — are on short-term IR, which means they are eligible to return after four games (although Lohner's expected to have an extended absence).

Bryant is eligible to return in time for this week's game against the Carolina Panthers. Badie and Elliss will be eligible to return in Week 12, and Harvey can return in Week 13.

Another player, offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo, is on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. He also became eligible to return after four games, but hasn't returned to practice yet.

Denver has three players on season-ending IR: center Michael Deiter (quad), defensive end Matt Henningsen (Achilles) and linebacker Levelle Bailey (broken leg). The club previously cut linebacker Drew Sanders from IR before Week 1.

Broncos on short-term IR

1. OT Frank Crum (leg) [Eligible since Week 5]

2. TE Caleb Lohner (foot) [Eligible since Week 5]

3. WR Pat Bryant (ankle) [Eligible in Week 9]

4. RB Tyler Badie (thumb) [Eligible in Week 12]

5. OLB Jonah Elliss (ankle) [Eligible in Week 12]

6. RB RJ Harvey (knee) [Eligible in Week 13]

Broncos on season-ending IR

1. C Michael Deiter (quad)

2. DE Matt Henningsen (Achilles)

3. LB Levelle Bailey (broken leg)

Broncos on resersve/PUP list

1. OL Nick Gargiulo (knee) [Eligible since Week 5]

NFL clubs are allowed to designate up to eight players to return from IR each season. Denver has used three of those designations so far this season on Crum, Lohner and running back Jonah Coleman. The rookie running back returned in Week 7 after a four-game absence. Crum and Lohner have not yet started their 21-day practice windows.