ENGLEWOOD — Eyioma Uwazurike is back.
The Broncos defensive lineman was cleared for NFL reinstatement Monday following a year-plus suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. He joined training camp at Broncos Park and worked out on the side field during practice. The team waived safety Jordan Sterns to make room on the 90-man roster.
Uwazurike missed the entire 2023 season for betting on NFL games in 2022.
On Monday, the fourth-round draft pick (‘22) issued a statement upon returning to the team.
“I am grateful to the Denver Broncos and the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to resume my NFL career,” Uwazurike said. “I’ve learned from this situation and taken steps to ensure it will never happen again. It is a privilege to play in the NFL, and I hope others can learn from my mistake. I will not take this second chance for granted and am fully committed to making a positive impact with the Broncos both on and off the field.”
Coach Sean Payton said the team ultimately reinstated Uwazurike because he “handled this well and took full responsibility.” Uwazurike was among 10 NFL players last season with suspensions related to sports gambling.
“We’re in that period of time where there’s a lot of mistakes being made relative to … the gambling policy,” Payton said after the team’s ninth training camp practice with fans in attendance. “I think the league, and the communication they provided with him, we’re grateful for (it). He was out a year and so our job now is to make sure that we’re slow to get him ready back. Because he’s missed quite a bit. … I think he understands certainly the mistake he made and he’s really appreciative to be back here with this team.”
Uwazurike adds intriguing depth to an already stout front seven.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound run stuffer projects to play on the interior defensive line. He posted 17 total tackles over eight game appearances as a rookie. But Uwazurike will now require significant practice before consideration for playing time.
“Just like all of these guys, he went through a pretty extensive physical,” Payton said. “I just think you’ve got to be careful of putting him back out there right away. He’ll be in the meetings of course now. He’ll be involved in everything because he’s here on our roster. But I do think we’ve got to look really further out and say: When do we expect him to play in a preseason game?”
McLaughlin wisdom
Broncos second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin made the roster last season after a breakout performance in their exhibition opener against the Cardinals. He scored a rushing and receiving touchdown.
McLaughlin has advice for Broncos rookies making their preseason debut Sunday at the Colts.
“I would say that (Cardinals) game, I just went out there and played. I didn’t let anything get to me. It felt like I was playing backyard football. … Just go out there and enjoy it. As long as you give your 100 percent, you don’t need to be down on yourself. … That’s what I’ve been preaching to the rookies.”
Camp schedule
The Broncos have planned out their remaining camp practices this week.
“Tomorrow, we’ll install short yardage; third and 1 and fourth and 1,” Payton said following Monday practice. “Then I believe Wednesday, we have a second round of third down, defense and offense, coming. Thursday we have a second round of red zone, defense and offense, coming. … Then on the final day, it’ll be a focus on Indy.”