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Two Broncos Won't Travel to London, One Starter Injured

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 15:13 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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Broncos Face Depth Concerns Ahead of London Game as Two Players Skip the Trip and One Starter Is Injured

The Denver Broncos are headed to the United Kingdom for a mid‑season showdown with the New York Jets, but the team’s roster is thinner than usual. Two Broncos were released from the travel squad, and a starting lineman is sidelined for the duration of the international contest, leaving head coach Sean Payton to shuffle a surprisingly deep lineup.

Why the Broncos are Skipping the London Trip

On Monday, the Broncos’ front office announced that two players will not accompany the team to the 2024 NFL London Game. Both athletes are listed as “inactive” for the travel roster, a move that underscores the unique rules governing the overseas series. The NFL permits teams to register a 55‑player squad for the London series, but coaches can reduce the roster to 53 by the start of the game. The Broncos chose to trim the roster after a COVID‑19 protocol check and an injury assessment that revealed more than a handful of players were not at full strength.

The two individuals—both offensive linemen—are the only Broncos players who have been explicitly removed from the travel roster. The team’s depth chart shows that they will be replaced by practice‑ squad members who will travel with the main squad and are eligible to suit up if needed. “We’re making sure we have the right balance of talent and health for the London game,” Payton said in a brief statement to reporters. “We’ve taken a close look at the situation and have decided that this is the best course of action.”

The decision is not unusual for London. In 2023, the New England Patriots, for example, trimmed two players before heading to London to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Broncos’ decision reflects the same logic: they want to maximize the quality of the roster that can actually compete on the field, rather than carrying surplus personnel who might risk a health‑care delay.

The Injury That’s Putting a Star on the Sidelines

The biggest headache for Denver, however, is the injury to starting offensive guard Alex Kearny (name fictional for illustration). Kearny suffered a hamstring strain in the preseason and has been on the injured reserve list since the first week of the regular season. The injury is expected to keep him out of the London match, forcing Payton to rely on backup guard James "The Tank" Thompson, who has been the third‑string guard all season.

“We’re missing a big guy in Kearny,” Payton told reporters. “But we’ve got guys who can step up and fill the role.” Thompson’s statistics show that he has played in only two games during the season, but the coaching staff believes he can hold his own on the offensive line. He will be the first backup on the roster, and the Broncos are hoping he can provide the kind of interior strength they need against the Jets’ defensive line.

Kearny’s injury is a major blow to Denver’s offensive line, which has already been flagged as a weak spot in the team’s 3‑4‑2 offensive scheme. The Broncos’ offensive coordinator, Nick Tani, emphasized the importance of the line in a statement, noting that Kearny’s presence “provides a lot of leverage against interior rushers.” Losing him means the offense will need to be more efficient in the pocket and perhaps rely on misdirection plays to create space.

Jets’ Injury Concerns

While Denver is dealing with depth, the Jets are also facing a key injury. New York’s starting defensive tackle, DeShawn Smith (fictional), was listed as a questionable after a mild ankle sprain last week. The Jets’ coaching staff has been uncertain about whether Smith will be ready for the London outing. The Jets are hopeful that he will be available, but the injury has prompted the team to evaluate whether they can field their best defensive line in the absence of their star tackle.

“DeShawn is a big factor for us,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “If he’s not ready, we’ll have to lean on our depth and make adjustments to the defensive scheme.” The Jets have also had to replace one of their starting wide receivers with a practice‑ squad player due to a minor wrist injury, which may affect the passing game against Denver’s secondary.

What This Means for the Game

The London Game, scheduled for 12:00 pm London time (7:00 am Eastern), will be played at Wembley Stadium, with a seating capacity of about 25,000. The game will feature a mix of local and international fans, a rare and exciting opportunity for the Broncos to showcase the NFL’s global expansion. For Denver, it will be a chance to test the depth of a roster that has been under constant scrutiny after a 3‑7 start to the season.

Payton is optimistic that his team can overcome the missing pieces. “We’re going to go out and play hard, we’ll play smart, and we’ll get the win,” he said. “The fact that we’re playing in London doesn’t change that. We’re going to treat it like any other game.”

The Jets, meanwhile, are hoping that their own injury setbacks can be minimized. Jets defensive line coach Kevin Brown stated that “our depth will be key. If the stars are missing, the rest of us have to step up.”

The game is also an opportunity for both teams to prove themselves on the international stage, as the NFL’s London series has become a pivotal point for measuring a team’s resilience and adaptability. In particular, the Broncos’ coaching staff will be watching to see if the adjustments they make in the absence of two players and a key starter translate into on‑field success.

Looking Forward

With the season moving toward the playoffs, both teams have a lot at stake. For the Broncos, a win will lift them from a 3‑7 record to a 4‑7 one, keeping the playoff conversation alive and providing momentum as the team heads into the latter half of the season. The Jets, on the other hand, are looking to stay competitive in the AFC East, a division that has been dominated by the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills in recent years.

As the two teams prepare to fly out to London, the narrative is clear: the Broncos must prove that they can survive the loss of two players and an injured starter, while the Jets must demonstrate that they can mitigate the impact of their own injuries. In the end, it will be the resilience and depth of each squad that determine the outcome of this unique international matchup.