According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Denver Broncos are elevating veteran safety Taylor Rapp and return specialist/cornerback Sam Fresch Jr. from the practice squad for Sunday’s game vs. the Arizona Cardinals.
Per source, Broncos have elevated S Taylor Rapp from practice squad for second straight game to help fill void of injured Hufanga.
— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) October 24, 2026
Rapp started and played significant snaps in place of veteran starting safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was sidelined with an injury last week vs. the Seahawks and will do the same this week vs. the Cardinals. The experienced veteran played well in his first game with the Broncos and will be called on to do the same this week vs. the Cardinals. This is the second of the max three practice squad elevations for Rapp, so he can be elevated one more time before he will need to be added to the 53-man roster in order to play.
According to reports, Talanoa Hufanga is expected back next Sunday vs. the rival Kansas City Chiefs, but we will need to wait and see how he progresses throughout the week.
As for Sam Fresch Jr., he will provide depth at cornerback and in the kicking game as a returner. With star cornerback Pat Surtain II listed as questionable, the elevation of Fresch Jr. seems to put his status trending in the wrong direction for tomorrow’s game vs. the Cardinals. Surtain II practiced on a limited basis all week, but the team could decide to hold him out for one more week in hopes of having him ready for next Sunday’s key divisional matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. If Surtain II does not go, look for Riley Moss to be 100% and start with Jahdae Barron filling in for Surtain II for the third straight week.
Still, we will need to keep an eye on his status in the lead-up to tomorrow’s game vs. the Cardinals.
So, look for Rapp to get the start once again tomorrow at safety, and we will need to keep an eye on the status of star cornerback Pat Surtain II prior to the game tomorrow. If he cannot go, Fresch Jr. will provide depth at corner for the Broncos, while Jahdae Barron will likely get another start in place of the sidelined Surtain.