Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. — Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton at all times has a plan — what he calls a “vision” — for every participant on the group's roster. But a shock can nonetheless sneak up on Payton, whether or not the coach admits it or not.
And shock, shock, three video games into the 2024 season, working again Tyler Badie has seemingly come out of nowhere.
After Badie, a 2022 sixth-round decide by the Baltimore Ravens out of Missouri, had flashed throughout coaching camp this 12 months, the Broncos' plan for the 24-year-old was to maintain him shut. They put him on the apply squad to maintain him accessible for the occasional elevation to the game-day roster, like they've accomplished the previous two weeks. But with a minimize right here and a spin there, Badie has change into the most surprising of sparks in what has in any other case been a largely dormant run sport.
“He's been real decisive, he's had some big runs for us, he's smart, he knows the system, he's good in the passing game,” Payton mentioned of Badie. “He brings a lot.”
Badie was moved to the energetic roster Wednesday morning when linebacker Alex Singleton (knee) was placed on injured reserve. He has pressured the Broncos' collective hand with the most affect he is made in only a few possibilities, particularly as the offense searches for some equilibrium with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback.
“All the work I put in, I'm grateful for the opportunity,” Badie mentioned. “I just want to help win games.”
The Broncos (1-2) have had their share of run-game struggles early in the season. Heading into Sunday's sport with the New York Jets (1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, CBS), Denver is the solely group in the NFL whose main rusher is a quarterback. Nix, whose 107 rushing yards have come totally on scrambles to flee strain in the pocket, can be tied for second on group in carries (18) and has two of Denver's three rushing touchdowns.
Right behind Nix in rushing yardage is Badie. His 86 yards have come on solely 10 carries, providing a double-take-worthy 28.8% of the group's rushing yardage in restricted time. Nine of these 10 carries got here as a apply squad elevation for this previous Sunday's sport in Tampa Bay. He gained 70 yards, together with a 43-yard run — the longest for the Broncos this season.
Badie breaks free! 💨
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JiuNxzNUoI
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2024
“[Badie] played great Sunday,” Nix mentioned. “Just another one of those guys in the backfield who can provide explosive plays.”
Payton had been requested a number of instances previous to Sunday's win over the Buccaneers about when Badie might see extra carries. Badie's solely carry past that Bucs sport was a 16-yard run in the second quarter of the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even although it was the Broncos' longest carry of that sport, Badie by no means touched the ball once more.
Payton has admitted to being way more snug organizing a two-player rotation at working again, with Javonte Williams (24 carries for 52 yards) and Jaleel McLaughlin (18 carries for 40 yards and a landing) getting the bulk of the backfield work to date. But Badie may be convincing the veteran coach to change his method.
“… It's easy to work two backs into a rotation; it's hard with three,” Payton mentioned Sunday. “[Badie had] been practicing well. … We'll keep working that combination.”
Badie has been ready for his likelihood since the Broncos signed him off the Ravens' apply squad with two video games to play in the 2022 season. He had two touches for Denver after arriving that season — a run for no achieve and a 24-yard landing reception in the season finale. He then spent 2023 on the Broncos' apply squad.
According to a number of of his teammates, Badie repeatedly flashed affect capability in apply and coaching camp this previous summer time, usually breaking free for the longest runs in group drills.
“I always felt like I could play,” Badie mentioned after apply Wednesday. “I feel like I had a great camp. … I got prepared, always be prepared. Just make the most of my opportunities.”
The Broncos definitely want some juice in the run sport and appear poised to see if Badie can proceed to offer an affect with extra work. Williams and McLaughlin have struggled to date, every averaging a lackluster 2.2 yards per carry and every shedding a fumble. Williams has six carries over three video games this season for no achieve or unfavorable yardage, whereas McLaughlin has 4. Payton has mentioned the blame ought to be unfold round to the backs for not at all times choosing the proper working lane and the offensive line for not creating sufficient creases for the backs to run by.
Denver is twenty second in the league in rushing (99.7 yards per video games) and twentieth in yards per carry (4.2). Prior to Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, the group ranked twenty seventh and twenty fifth, respectively. The Broncos are additionally certainly one of seven groups who've one or fewer rushing touchdowns from their working backs after three weeks. Badie hopes he may help enhance these numbers beginning Sunday towards the Jets.
“I like to have fun in the game,” Badie mentioned. “A lot of people say acceleration into preparation, and I just prepared for my name to be called.”
