Adkins went without a target while taking the field for 25 of the Broncos' 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 34-26 win over the Packers.
Though Adkins never landed on injured reserve, he missed five consecutive games due to a knee issue before he was cleared to return to action Sunday. The 26-year-old's 37 percent offensive snap share was roughly on par with his rates from his first six appearances, but he largely served as a blocker during his time on the field; he ran just two routes on the day.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.
Adkins' availability for Week 15 was initially suspected when the Broncos waived fellow tight end Marcedes Lewis on Thursday. Adkins has been absent since Week 9 with a persistent knee injury, and his return to the lineup is a valuable addition to a Broncos team that is attempting to secure the AFC's top seed. Adkins has six receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets through six games this season. The 26-year-old's ability to block for the run and pass game is arguably more valuable to the team, but he also has solid receiving upside.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Logs limited practice Wednesday
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Adkins (knee) was limited in Wednesday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Adkins has missed the Broncos' last five games due to a knee injury, but his return to practice Wednesday -- albeit in a limited capacity -- is a sign that he is progressing in his recovery. He has two more chances to log a full practice and be cleared to play against the Packers on Sunday. Adam Trautman and Marcedes Lewis will continue to provide depth at tight end behind Evan Engram for as long as Adkins is sidelined.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Won't play at Las Vegas
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) is officially listed as out for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
Adkins did not participate at practice at all during the week, as he continues to tend to a knee injury he suffered in Week 8 versus the Cowboys. Adam Trautman and two-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram are currently the only two healthy tight ends on Denver's 53-man roster.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Not ready to return to practice
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
Adkins hurt his knee during a game against Dallas on Oct. 26. Though the Broncos have elected against placing Adkins on IR to this point, the tight end hasn't practiced since getting hurt and has missed four consecutive contests. Adam Trautman has worked as Denver's No. 2 tight end while Adkins has been out and will presumably continue to do so until Adkins returns.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Ruled out for Sunday
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
Adkins will miss his fourth consecutive game with a knee issue. The tight end has yet to practice in any capacity since suffering the injury in Week 8. The timetable for the tight end's return remains unclear, though the decision not to move him to IR means a return may not be as far out of sight as it seems.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Won't play Week 11
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Adkins will miss a third consecutive game due a knee injury that prevented him from participating in all three practices during Week 11 prep. Adam Trautman and Evan Engram will continue to serve as the Broncos' top tight ends on the active roster in Adkins' absence. With the Broncos on a bye for Week 12, Adkins will have more time to recover from his knee injury and try to be available for Week 13 against the Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 30.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Still unable to practice
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
Adkins has sat out Denver's last two contests with a knee injury he suffered in Week 8 versus the Cowboys, and his availability for Week 11 is now in jeopardy. He'll likely have to practice to some extent Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to suit up Sunday versus the Chiefs.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Sits out of Tuesday's walkthrough
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
Adkins has opened Week 10 prep with back-to-back DNPs as he continues to recover from a knee injury he sustained against the Cowboys in Week 8. He was unable to play against the Texans on Sunday, and he's unlikely to play Thursday against the Raiders unless he practices in at least a limited capacity Wednesday.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: No practice to begin week
Rotowire
Adkins (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
Adkins suffered the knee injury in Sunday's win over the Cowboys and did not return. His status for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Texans is likely in doubt, though he'll still have two days to increase his practice activity.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Cleared to play against Philly
Rotowire
Adkins (concussion) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Eagles.
Adkins entered the league's concussion protocol following the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Bengals. He increased his practice participation steadily over the week, and after a full session Friday, he's been given the green light to play in Sunday's road game, when he'll serve in a depth role at tight end behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Returns to practice
Rotowire
Adkins (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
Adkins was able to return to practice Thursday after suffering a concussion at some point during the team's Week 4 win over the Bengals. The tight end still needs to clear concussion protocol in order to play Sunday in Philadelphia.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Set to avoid IR
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Adkins (ankle) won't go on injured reserve to start the 2025 season, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.
Adkins has been working his way back from an ankle sprain, but head coach Sean Payton expects him to be able to return to action by Week 3. Payton said Thursday that the tight end is "too good a football player for us," thus stressing the importance of having him available as soon as possible.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Won't be ready to begin season
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Adkins (ankle) won't be ready for the start of the regular season, coach Sean Payton relayed Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports.
Adkins will be sidelined for more than a month due to a tightrope procedure on an ankle sprain. If he makes the team despite his injury, Adkins would provide depth in a tight-end room that also includes Evan Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Scores three touchdowns in 2024
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Adkins finished the 2024 campaign with 14 catches on 15 targets for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
Adkins appeared in all 17 games of the 2024 campaign after playing in just 10 games as a rookie in 2023. The 25-year-old tight end's three trips to the end zone ranked him third in receiving touchdowns for the Broncos, behind wide receivers Courtland Sutton (eight) and Marvin Mims (six) and tied with wideout Devaughn Vele. Adkins did not have a major role in the offense throughout the season, failing to catch more than one pass in all but two games. The South Carolina product remains under contract for the 2025 season before coming a restricted free agent in 2026.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Will not return
Rotowire
Adkins will not return to Sunday's matchup with the Raiders due to a hamstring injury, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
It is not clear how severe Adkins knee injury is at this point in time. While he is sidelined, Lucas Krull will be the only depth option at tight end behind Adam Trautman.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Healthy scratch for Week 13
Rotowire
Adkins (coach's decision) is inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans.
The 24-year-old tight end appeared in each of Denver's last two games, but it now seems as if he's fallen down the depth chart. The Broncos elevated Lucas Krull to their active roster Saturday, and with Adkins inactive, Krull will likely serve as the team's No. 3 tight end in Week 13. Adkins has appeared in eight games for Denver this season, catching four of his five targets for 22 yards and primarily playing on special teams.
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Broncos' Nate Adkins: Healthy scratch for Week 1
Rotowire
Adkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
A rookie undrafted free agent, Adkins made the Broncos' initial 53-man roster, but he'll be inactive for the season opener. Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz are currently ahead of Adkins on the depth chart.
