Broncos Bring Taylor Rapp In For Workout: What His Return Would Mean for Denver’s Safety Room

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Taylor Rapp’s NFL arc: production, roles and recent setbacks
4. Why Denver is interested: roster context and immediate needs
5. Performance profile: strengths that matter and weaknesses to address
6. Scheme fit: how Rapp aligns with Vance Joseph’s defensive approach
7. Health, rehab and the timeline to game readiness
8. Roster mechanics: ways Denver can add Rapp and what each implies
9. Special teams: a crucial barometer for immediate value
10. Scenarios for Denver and Rapp: best-case, likely-case, worst-case
11. Comparisons within the roster: Rapp versus Key, Skinner and Anderson
12. What coaches will be watching in this week’s drills
13. The broader significance: veteran signings as strategic depth management
14. Fan expectations and the reality of midseason or late-camp veteran signings
15. Potential ripple effects: matchups, play-calling and injury insurance
16. Contract and cap considerations (overview, not specifics)
17. How this fits into larger team-building philosophies
18. What the timeline looks like from here
19. Final assessment
20. FAQ

Key Highlights

• The Broncos hosted veteran safety Taylor Rapp for a workout, signaling a possible return after he stepped away from the team in August; he previously signed and was released to address a personal matter.
• Rapp’s experience—more than 70 career starts, substantial snaps at free safety and in the box—answers a clear need behind starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, but concerns about his recent coverage play, missed-tackle spike and a 2025 knee injury will shape any roster decision.
• If re-signed, Rapp likely requires a multi-week ramp-up before being game-ready; Denver would need to clear a roster spot and could initially use the practice squad route while evaluating special teams and defensive snaps.

Introduction

The Broncos quietly auditioned a familiar face on Friday when they brought in veteran safety Taylor Rapp for a workout. The visit closed a short loop that began when Denver signed Rapp late in training camp only to release him days later so he could handle a personal matter. Head coach Sean Payton publicly kept the door open for his return. The workout suggests the door might swing fully open, but the practical path from gym session to game day includes medical checks, scheme re-learning and roster logistics.

Rapp arrives with a resume that blends extensive starting experience and special-teams value with recent performance volatility and a season-ending knee injury in 2025. The Broncos’ secondary already lists returning starters Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, but P.J. Locke’s exit in free agency left a third-safety role in flux. That vacancy makes Rapp an attractive option on paper. Reality requires a closer look: how Rapp’s strengths align with Denver’s needs, how quickly he can return to form, and whether re-integrating him produces more immediate impact than promoting younger alternatives already on the roster.

This report examines Rapp’s career trajectory, the specifics of Denver’s safety room, the tactical fit in Vance Joseph’s scheme, ramp-up timelines after injury, roster mechanics that could determine his status, and realistic scenarios for how a reunion could unfold.

Taylor Rapp’s NFL arc: production, roles and recent setbacks

Taylor Rapp entered the league as a second-round pick and built his early value on production and versatility. Across seven NFL seasons, he has played 93 games and started 72, registering peak production during his time in Los Angeles. The first four seasons produced 330 tackles, nine interceptions and 23 passes defended. Those counting stats reflect an impact player trusted to take on significant responsibilities in the box and at free safety.

Rapp’s usage has been split between roles. Pro Football Focus logged 2,268 snaps at free safety and 1,606 snaps in the box, evidence of the hybrid profile teams covet when they deploy a single player across multiple alignments. That flexibility creates matchup advantages: a player who can rotate down into the box on early-down run defense yet slide deep on passing downs reduces the need for subpackages and simplifies communication on the back end.

The past two seasons illustrate the danger of relying solely on counting stats. In 2024 he posted a career-low 2.4% missed tackle rate, an elite mark that showed crisp fundamentals and reliable tackling. That same season, however, evaluators noted coverage inconsistencies. The following year those coverage issues coincided with a dramatic deterioration in tackling efficiency: his missed tackle rate jumped to a career-high 21.2% in 2025, and a knee injury in Week 6 ended his season. The injuries and regression complicate any fast optimism about a veteran return.

Rapp’s path after Los Angeles included a low-cost contract in Buffalo, where he was the third option behind established veterans Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. That role reduced his snap count but kept him on a roster known for leveraging veteran leadership. His time in Buffalo reinforced his value as a seasoned pro who can help younger teammates and contribute on special teams. Special-teams value is a common reason teams sign experienced safeties late in camp; it buys roster flexibility and depth immediately while giving coaches time to evaluate defensive snaps.

Denver signed Rapp on Aug. 20 but released him less than a week later so he could address a personal matter. The short timeline left both sides with an incomplete evaluation. A workout now gives Denver a fuller view: medical clearance, conditioning baseline and whether he retains the instincts that earned him starters’ reps early in his career.

Why Denver is interested: roster context and immediate needs

Denver returns Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones as the clear starting pair. Hufanga provides playmaking ability and range; Jones brings physicality to the box and downhill run defense. The third-safety role that P.J. Locke occupied last season is the one that most directly concerns Denver’s coaches. Locke split snaps between free safety alignments and box work, mirroring the hybrid role Rapp played in his career.

Locke left in free agency. Devon Key performed well in relief when Locke missed time, including earning first-team All-Pro recognition for his special-teams play. That accolade makes Key a natural internal option to assume more defensive snaps. But experience matters when young options are asked to learn multiple alignments and the communication responsibilities that come with near-starting snaps. JL Skinner (a 2023 sixth-round pick) and Tycen Anderson have shown special-teams acumen and limited defensive snaps, but neither has accumulated the full slate of starting reps that would ease a transition.

Rapp’s experience gives him an edge in two areas Denver values: scheme familiarity and situational anticipation. He has substantial snaps in both box and deep alignments, which would allow coaches to deploy him as a true swing safety rather than forcing a rookie to learn incremental responsibilities under live-game stress. That buy-in matters across the regular season. Opposing offenses exploit miscommunication behind the line of scrimmage; a veteran who already knows how to call checks, disguise coverages and match personnel reduces those mistakes.

From a roster-construction perspective, the Broncos face a choice between promoting from within or betting on a veteran who needs time to return to game speed. Promoting Key, Skinner or Anderson avoids roster churn and preserves continuity in special teams. Signing Rapp would require clearing space and possibly placing him on the practice squad for a gradual ramp-up. That path is the practical reason Denver hosted a workout first: to determine what type of roster move would justify adding him back.

Performance profile: strengths that matter and weaknesses to address

Rapp’s profile combines traits teams prize in modern safeties with areas that invite scrutiny. Break down both sides and the picture that emerges is clear: he offers upside as a versatile chess piece but carries risk tied to recent play and injury.

Strengths

• Versatility: His snap distribution shows comfort both deep and in the box, enabling defensive coordinators to present multiple looks without rolling personnel changes.
• Experience: Over 70 starts and significant playoff and regular-season reps provide intangible benefits—read recognition, route anticipation and sideline leadership.
• Tackling fundamentals in peak form: The 2024 season’s 2.4% missed tackle rate indicates the technique and closing ability he can produce when healthy and confident.
• Ball production in early career: Nine interceptions and 23 passes defended across his first four seasons demonstrate playmaking instincts that still matter in turnover-driven defensive scheming.

Weaknesses and concerns

• Coverage consistency: Scouts and coaches flagged struggles in coverage that manifested as missed assignments and completion yields against him. That vulnerability compounds when facing NFL quarterbacks who exploit single-high safety windows.
• Recent tackling regression: The jump to a 21.2% missed-tackle rate in 2025 is notable and demands scrutiny. Reasons for spikes like this can include lingering injury effects, poor angles, fatigue or schematic responsibilities that put him in difficult one-on-one situations. Determining the root cause will be essential for Denver’s staff.
• Injury history: A season-ending knee injury in Week 6 of 2025 raises questions about quickness, change-of-direction, and confidence in contact. Medical clearance will be a gating factor.
• Conditioning: Having signed late in camp and addressing a personal matter before his release, Rapp’s conditioning level is unknown; a multi-week ramp-up would likely be required.

Evaluators weighing Rapp must decide whether the upside—a veteran who can play multiple safety roles and contribute on special teams—outweighs recent red flags. That decision includes a sequence of tests: medical, agility and positional drills, and a check of football instincts under Vance Joseph’s scheme.

Scheme fit: how Rapp aligns with Vance Joseph’s defensive approach

Rapp’s career tendencies line up neatly with the assignments typically required in the scheme run by Vance Joseph, who expects safeties to do more than occupy the deep half. Joseph’s concepts rely on safeties who can rotate into the box for run support, challenge tight ends and slot receivers in coverage, and communicate pre-snap adjustments across the backend.

Two aspects of Joseph’s scheme are particularly relevant:

• Hybrid safety usage: Joseph often deploys safeties in two-high or single-high shells, then slides one down into a box on early downs without making personnel substitutions. That approach rewards players comfortable with both free and box alignments. Rapp’s history—2,268 free-safety snaps and 1,606 box snaps—matches this demand.
• Communication and disguise: Joseph expects safeties to handle coverage checks and disguise responsibilities. A veteran who has called games and recognized route combinations reduces blown assignments.

If Rapp returns to full form, coaches could use him in third-safety packages that require quick recognition and the ability to handle physical run support. His presence would let Denver maintain fewer personnel subpackages on passing downs while rotating bodies on special teams. That sort of roster efficiency matters late in the season when injuries accumulate.

Coverage shortcomings, however, create exposure in matchups. Joseph’s scheme occasionally asks safeties to cover athletic tight ends and slot receivers in man or pattern-match concepts. Rapp’s lapse in coverage in recent seasons could force coaches to restrict his responsibilities or pair him with a more coverage-oriented linebacker or nickelback in specific subpackages. That would blunt some of the benefit of his versatility.

Ultimately, Rapp’s fit comes down to health and coaching. If his knee responds and he demonstrates reliable coverage in staged work, he offers an immediate, practical answer to a third-safety vacancy. If not, Denver risks adding a veteran who can slow the development of other younger pieces without providing commensurate on-field improvements.

Health, rehab and the timeline to game readiness

Medical clearance sits at the center of any decision. The Broncos hosted Rapp for a workout to assess his physical status; that visit will include a combination of in-person examinations, functional movement screens and position-specific drills. What coaches and trainers are trying to determine is not only whether the knee is structurally sound, but whether he can perform repeatable direction changes, plant-and-cut movements and contact absorption—all skills essential to playing safety at a high level.

Typical recovery considerations and evaluations:

• Strength and stability: Post-knee-injury tests measure quadriceps and hamstring symmetry, hip control and single-leg stability. Imbalances increase reinjury risk and reduce explosion.
• Change-of-direction and acceleration: Safeties must close to the ball and change direction quickly. Timed shuttle drills and cone work indicate whether Rapp’s agility matches game demands.
• Tackle simulation: Trainers will watch him take and deliver contact in controlled settings to gauge confidence and technique returning to full-speed hits.
• Cognitive processing: Reading and reacting to staged route combinations helps determine whether mental processing speed stayed intact during recovery.

Even with a clean medical report, most players require a multi-week ramp-up to regain timing with teammates, especially in a coordinator’s specific system. That timeline typically includes:

• Practice reps with the scout team or limited individual drills
• Special-teams phases to regain comfort in live tackling and wedge dynamics
• Team walkthroughs focused on communication and coverage calls
• Gradual participation in contact practices, if allowed under league and team policy

Given the late-camp signing and the personal matter that prompted his release, coaches will likely prefer to take a conservative approach. The practical path is the practice squad: it permits structured development, limited game eligibility via elevations, and reduced immediate pressure to perform. That route also allows Denver to clear a 53-man roster spot only when Rapp proves he can contribute on short notice.

Roster mechanics: ways Denver can add Rapp and what each implies

Adding Rapp back to the roster requires a deliberate move. Three primary pathways exist: signing him to the active 53-man roster, signing him to the practice squad, or bringing him on a short-term deal with the intent to evaluate in practice. Each has consequences.

1. Active roster signing

• Immediate availability for games, but Denver must clear a spot on the 53-man limit.
• Salary implications are higher; a veteran signing becomes part of the cap allocation for the season unless the contract is structured otherwise.
• Coaches must be confident Rapp is game-ready and can produce special-teams value right away.

2. Practice squad signing

• Permits a multi-week ramp-up with lower financial cost and roster commitment.
• League rules allow teams to elevate practice-squad players to the active roster on gameday a limited number of times per player per season (the exact limit has evolved, but teams can usually promote players multiple times under emergency elevations).
• Provides flexibility to test Rapp in practice, on scout team reps, and in special-teams settings without disrupting roster continuity.

3. Short-term tryout or futures deal

• Often used during the offseason or between roster cutdowns, these provide minimal commitment and buy time for evaluation.
• Less likely to be used now given the season recently starting and the Broncos’ immediate needs.

Given the facts—late signing and release, a workout rather than immediate re-signing, and the wording that Rapp will “likely need a multi-week ramp-up on the practice squad”—the practice squad route is both logical and common. It keeps Rapp within the building, protects depth, and allows coaches to monitor him closely.

Roster moves that could facilitate a practice-squad signing include:

• Releasing or waiving a fringe player
• Placing an injured player on injured reserve if he qualifies
• Trimming a veteran on the cusp to create space

Sean Payton’s earlier public openness to reuniting with Rapp signals a willingness to make such maneuvers if the player passes physical and shows promise in drills.

Special teams: a crucial barometer for immediate value

Special teams often determine whether a veteran gets a job right away. Devon Key’s All-Pro nod on special teams last season is a clear example: differentiation in that phase can elevate a depth player’s defensive snaps over the course of a season.

Rapp’s special-teams value is twofold. First, as a former starter who has also taken special-teams snaps, he brings tackling and alignment experience. Second, coaches prefer safeties who can contribute in kickoff, punt, and coverage units because those phases require the same tackling instincts and open-field tackling ability that Rapp once demonstrated.

If Rapp shows he can execute in special-teams reps—bursting on the wedge, handling block-shedding in punt return sets and finishing tackles—he gains immediate roster value even before defenders trust him in complex coverage schemes. Conversely, if his missed-tackle tendencies reappear on special teams, the staff will hesitate to elevate him defensively.

Historically, veteran safeties have prolonged careers by anchoring special-teams units. Coaching staffs use this as a low-risk way to integrate players and evaluate defensive utility on live plays without exposing the team to a full-time defensive role immediately.

Scenarios for Denver and Rapp: best-case, likely-case, worst-case

Best-case scenario Rapp passes medical checks, demonstrates adequate change-of-direction and tackling in drills, and quickly redevelops timing in team walkthroughs. Denver signs him to the practice squad for a short ramp-up. Within 2–3 weeks he is elevated on gameday for special teams and situational defensive snaps. Over the first month, he settles into the third-safety role, reducing pressure on younger options and providing consistent communication aligned with Vance Joseph’s game plan.

Likely-case scenario Rapp’s medical evaluation shows progress but not full game readiness. Denver signs him to the practice squad and uses limited elevations in low-risk situations. He contributes on special teams and in spot defensive packages while coaches maintain a rotational role for Devon Key and other young safeties. Over time he either strengthens his case and signs onto the active roster, or the team continues to spread reps among internal options.

Worst-case scenario Medical or performance concerns persist. Rapp fails to replicate range and tackling on the field, or the knee limits his ability to change direction at game speed. Denver declines to sign him or releases him after a short practice-squad stint. The team is left to rely on Key, Skinner and Anderson to fill the third-safety role, which could lead to inconsistent production against multiple-receiver sets or require scheme adjustments.

Comparisons within the roster: Rapp versus Key, Skinner and Anderson

Devon Key

• Strengths: Special-teams recognition, physicality, familiarity with Denver’s system.
• Limitations: Less overall starting experience than Rapp.
• Rapp’s edge: More starting reps and past production in a variety of roles. Key has upside through special teams and grew into defensive responsibilities; Rapp could be the safer, more polished option if healthy.

JL Skinner

• Strengths: Draft capital and developmental upside; special-teams contributions.
• Limitations: Limited defensive snaps; still gaining experience in coverage and alignment responsibilities.
• Rapp’s edge: Immediate experience and knowledge of calling checks under pressure.

Tycen Anderson

• Strengths: Special-teams experience and a background of situational defensive snaps with previous teams.
• Limitations: More of a role player than a consistent starter.
• Rapp’s edge: Rapp’s seven-year sample size includes game-to-game pressure that Anderson has not faced at the same scale.

Comparisons illustrate why Denver would consider Rapp: he brings a broader portfolio of on-field experiences that could shorten the learning curve and reduce miscommunication penalties. The tradeoff comes down to risk tolerance: do coaches prefer a veteran with a compacted timeline to regain form, or young players whose development might be slower but more sustainable?

What coaches will be watching in this week’s drills

Coaches and trainers will prioritize the following in any extended evaluation:

• Functional movement and single-leg stability: Is the knee symmetrical and reliable under unilateral load?
• Agility drills: Cone cuts, three-cone drills, and short-area quickness tests matter more than 40-yard times; safeties operate in tight spaces.
• Tackling in space: Controlled live reps where he must take angles and finish blocks will reveal whether the 2025 missed-tackle spike was a repeatable problem or an outlier.
• Coverage recognition: Route-tree simulations and reaction drills show whether his play speed in reading quarterbacks and receivers remains intact.
• Communication under pressure: How quickly he calls checks and aligns teammates during group walkthroughs and team reps.

If Rapp meets or exceeds expected thresholds across these categories, Denver’s staff will have the confidence to grant him more responsibility. If he struggles in any area, coaches will likely keep him on a conservative timeline.

The broader significance: veteran signings as strategic depth management

Teams routinely balance development with ready-now depth. Veteran signings like Rapp provide a stopgap that helps maintain defensive integrity while green players develop. The practice squad acts as an incubator; veteran additions allow teams to preserve flexibility while avoiding costly mistakes when injuries occur.

Denver’s interest in Rapp highlights a common NFL dynamic: late-camp volatility produces opportunities for experienced players with incomplete evaluations. The difference between a successful and unsuccessful addition often boils down to the structure of the integration—how coaches sequence reps, the player's buy-in to special-teams labor, and the timing of roster promotions. When those elements align, teams win short-term and long-term; they avoid putting inexperienced players into high-leverage defensive situations and preserve young players’ development timelines. When they misalign, roster churn and on-field miscues follow.

For Rapp, this is a re-evaluation at a career juncture. He can return as a steadying presence or fail to recapture earlier form. Denver’s staff must calibrate patience and urgency to avoid sacrificing either.

Fan expectations and the reality of midseason or late-camp veteran signings

Fans often interpret veteran workouts as definitive signs of imminent re-signing. The reality is more tactical. Workouts exist for medical clearance, conditioning checks and film-contextualized evaluations. Teams perform workouts on many players; only a subset joins the roster.

Expectations should remain measured. If Rapp returns, he will not automatically start. Instead, he will compete for reps in specialty packages and earn playing time through practice performance and special-teams contributions. If internal options outperform in limited game scenarios, the coaching staff may prefer youth and continuity over veteran familiarity.

The most realistic fan takeaway: a workout opens a possibility, not a guarantee. Denver’s defenders will benefit only if Rapp proves both physically and mentally capable of handling responsibilities without creating fresh liabilities.

Potential ripple effects: matchups, play-calling and injury insurance

If Rapp rejoins and reaches full form, his presence creates matchup flexibility. On early downs, coaches could slide him into the box to handle bigger running backs or no-huddle misdirection. On passing downs, his free safety reps would allow the Broncos to disguise coverages more easily.

From a play-calling perspective, Rapp’s versatility reduces the need for defensive substitutions in third-and-long scenarios. Fewer personnel changes speed up defensive alignment and limit offense opportunities to exploit mismatches. His return might also permit the Broncos to rotate Talanoa Hufanga into more single-high or in-the-box looks depending on opponent tendencies, giving coaches more levers over the course of a game.

Injury insurance is the other practical outcome. Safeties sustain high workloads, and depth is crucial over a 17-game slate. A healthy Rapp reduces the burden on Key, Skinner and Anderson, enabling coaches to preserve them for specific packages and prevent overexposure.

Contract and cap considerations (overview, not specifics)

Teams balance short-term need against long-term fiscal planning. Signing Rapp to the active roster would include veteran minimums and likely a short-term guarantee to secure his services through initial games. Placing him on the practice squad reduces upfront financial impact and gives Denver flexibility to choose the timing of elevations.

Cap space in late summer and early regular season tends to be limited. Thus, teams often favor low-risk, low-cost deals for veterans who need ramp-up time. Denver’s willingness to re-sign Rapp will reflect both their urgency at the safety position and the degree to which they value his immediate versus future contributions.

How this fits into larger team-building philosophies

Sean Payton and his staff have shown a willingness to mix veteran leadership with youth. That approach prioritizes readiness and situational football IQ while still providing developmental reps to younger players. Re-signing Rapp would be consistent with a philosophy that values experienced depth that can step in seamlessly when injuries strike.

At the same time, the Broncos must manage the developmental curve of Key, Skinner and Anderson. Over-indexing on veterans can block younger players’ growth. The ideal balance: integrate Rapp as a mentor and contingency while allowing internal options to gain real-game reps when appropriate.

What the timeline looks like from here

• Immediate: Workout results inform a decision—medical clearance, conditioning status and field performance determine the next step.
• Short term (1–3 weeks): If signed to the practice squad, expect multi-week ramp-up in individual reps, special teams, and team walkthroughs.
• Medium term (3–6 weeks): Possible elevations for special teams and limited defensive snaps, contingent on coaching staff comfort and game-plan needs.
• Long term (through season): Depending on performance and team injuries, Rapp could either secure the third-safety role or remain a rotational, situational piece.

Patience and intentional deployment will guide whether Rapp’s presence becomes meaningful.

Final assessment

Taylor Rapp’s workout with the Broncos is a logical step in testing an experienced option for a clear roster need. His career experience, hybrid-safety versatility and prior starters’ reps make him an attractive candidate to fill the void left by P.J. Locke. At the same time, a significant missed-tackle spike in 2025 and a season-ending knee injury require careful medical and performance evaluation.

A conservative, practice-squad-first approach best aligns with Denver’s interests. It buys time for Rapp to regain full fitness, preserves roster flexibility, and permits coaches to evaluate him in special teams and phased defensive roles. If Rapp returns to the tackling fundamentals he demonstrated in 2024 and shows improved coverage, he becomes a direct, game-ready answer to the third-safety question. If his physical limitations persist, the Broncos may rely on developmental alternatives already in-house.

Broncos fans should watch the coming weeks for two signals: whether Denver chooses to sign him and how quickly the coaching staff integrates him into live reps. Those outcomes will determine if this workout evolves into a meaningful reunion or remains a cursory step in the team’s ongoing roster evaluation.

FAQ

Q: Did Denver sign Taylor Rapp after the workout? A: At the time of the workout, no official signing had been announced. The workout serves to evaluate medical status, conditioning and positional readiness. The team would publicly announce any signing soon after making a decision.

Q: Why did the Broncos originally release Rapp shortly after signing him in August? A: The team released Rapp less than a week after signing him so he could address a personal matter. Head coach Sean Payton left open the possibility of re-signing if he became available again.

Q: If Denver signs Rapp, will he start right away? A: Unlikely. Rapp will probably require a multi-week ramp-up—especially after a recent knee injury in 2025. A more likely initial role is practice-squad integration with limited elevations for special teams and situational defensive snaps.

Q: What does Rapp offer the Broncos that current roster options don’t? A: Rapp brings substantial starting experience and proven versatility across both free-safety and box alignments. He offers immediate playbook familiarity in similar roles, which can shorten the learning curve compared with younger alternatives who have fewer starting reps.

Q: What are the main concerns about Rapp’s play? A: The primary concerns are his coverage consistency and a sharp increase in missed tackles in 2025 that culminated in a season-ending knee injury. Medical clearance and evidence of improved tackling mechanics will be prerequisites for a meaningful role.

Q: Could the Broncos promote Devon Key or JL Skinner instead of signing Rapp? A: Yes. Both are internal candidates. Devon Key demonstrated strong play, notably on special teams, and could see an expanded defensive role. Skinner and Tycen Anderson also provide depth. Denver must weigh experience and immediate readiness (Rapp) against developmental continuity (internal options).

Q: How quickly could Rapp be game-ready if signed? A: If medically cleared and conditioned, a conservative timeline would be 2–4 weeks of ramp-up for special-teams duties and limited defensive snaps. Full-time defensive responsibilities typically require several more weeks to integrate mentally with play-calling and communication.

Q: How do practice-squad elevations work if Denver signs him there? A: Practice-squad signings allow teams to elevate players to the active roster on gameday a limited number of times, permitting short-term use without immediately adding the player to the 53-man roster. Exact elevation limits have evolved across recent seasons; teams use this mechanism for contingency and evaluation.

Q: What should fans expect next? A: Fans should expect a public roster decision if Denver chooses to sign Rapp. Until then, coaches will use the next practice sessions and internal evaluations to decide whether to add him to the practice squad or pursue other options. The key indicators to watch are medical updates, special-teams snaps and any official roster moves.