Tyler Badie stepping up for the Broncos' struggling rushing attack?

WHITE SULFUR SPRINGS, WV – Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton always has a plan – what he calls a “vision” – for every player on the team's roster. But Payton can still pull off a surprise whether the coach admits it or not.

And surprise, surprise, three games into the 2024 season, running back Tyler Badie has seemingly come out of nowhere.

After Badie, a 2022 sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens out of Missouri, emerged during this year's training camp, the Broncos' plan for the 24-year-old was to keep him around. They added him to the practice squad to keep him available for occasional inclusion in the gameday squad, as they have done over the past two weeks. But with a cut here and a spin there, Badie has become the most unexpected spark in an otherwise largely dormant running game.

“He was really decisive, he had some big runs for us, he's smart, he knows the system, he's good in the passing game,” Payton said of Badie. “It brings a lot.”

Badie was elevated to the active roster Wednesday morning when linebacker Alex Singleton (knee) was placed on injured reserve. He has forced the Broncos' collective hand with the most impact possible on very few chances, especially as the offense looks for some balance with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback.

“All the work I’ve put in, I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Badie said. “I just want to help win games.”

The Broncos (1-2) had some run game problems early in the season. Heading into Sunday's game against the New York Jets (1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, CBS), Denver is the only team in the NFL whose leading rusher is a quarterback. Nix, whose 107 rushing yards came largely from scrambles to escape pressure in the pocket, also ranks second on the team with 18 carries and has two of Denver's three rushing touchdowns.

Badie is right behind Nix in mileage. He gained his 86 yards on just 10 carries, accounting for a double-take-worthy 28.8% of the team's rushing yards in limited time. Nine of those 10 appearances were to add to the practice squad for last Sunday's game in Tampa Bay. He gained 70 yards, including a 43-yard run – the longest run for the Broncos this season.

Badie breaks free! 💨

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JiuNxzNUoI

– Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2024

“(Badie) played great on Sunday,” Nix said. “Just one of those guys in the backfield that can make explosive plays.”

Payton had been asked several times before Sunday's win against the Buccaneers when Badie might see more carries. Badie's only carry beyond the Bucs game was a 16-yard run in the second quarter of the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although it was the Broncos' longest carry of the game, Badie never touched the ball again.

Payton has admitted that he is finding it far easier to organize a two-player rotation at running back, with Javonte Williams (24 carries for 52 yards) and Jaleel McLaughlin (18 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown) doing the bulk of the work so far Take over backfield work. But Badie could convince the experienced coach to change his approach.

“…It's easy to fit two defenders into a rotation; with three it’s difficult,” Payton said Sunday. “(Badie) practiced well. … We’re going to continue this combination.”

Badie has been waiting for his chance since the Broncos signed him from the Ravens' practice squad with two games remaining in the 2022 season. After arriving this season, he had two touchdowns for Denver – a run for no gain and a 24-yard touchdown reception in the season finale. He then spent 2023 on the Broncos' practice squad.

According to several of his teammates, Badie repeatedly demonstrated his power in practice and training camp last summer, often going for the longest runs during team drills.

“I always felt like I could play,” Badie said after practice on Wednesday. “I feel like I had a great camp. … I have prepared, always be prepared. Just use my opportunities.”

The Broncos certainly need some pizzazz in the run game and appear ready to see if Badie can continue to make a splash with extra work. Williams and McLaughlin have struggled so far, each averaging a lackluster 2.2 yards per carry and losing a fumble each. Williams has six runs with no gain or negative yards in three games this season, while McLaughlin has four of those. Payton has said the blame should be placed on the defensive linemen for not always choosing the right path and on the offensive line for not creating enough offensive lines for defenders to run through.

Denver ranks 22nd in the league in rushing (99.7 yards per game) and 20th in yards per carry (4.2). Before Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, the team was ranked 27th and 25th, respectively. The Broncos are also one of seven teams that have one or fewer rushing touchdowns from their running backs after three weeks. Badie hopes he can help improve those numbers starting Sunday against the Jets.

“I like to have fun with the game,” Badie said. “A lot of people say the preparation is being accelerated, and I was just getting ready for my name to be called.”