Nate Adkins Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Broncos vs Raiders game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 28, 2025
Ruled out for Sunday
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
Adkins will miss his fourth consecutive game with a knee issue. The tight end has yet to practice in any capacity since suffering the injury in Week 8. The timetable for the tight end's return remains unclear, though the decision not to move him to IR means return may not be as far out of sight as it seems.
Nov 26, 2025
No practice to begin week
Adkins (knee) did not practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has missed Denver's last three games with the knee issue. He has yet to practice in any capacity since suffering the injury, so there should be significant doubt about his status for Denver's Week 13 matchup against the Commanders.
Nov 14, 2025
Won't play Week 11
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
ANALYSIS
Adkins will miss a third consecutive game due a knee injury, which prevented him from participating in all three practices during Week 11 prep. Adam Trautman and Evan Engram will continue to serve as the Broncos' top tight ends on the active roster in Adkins' absence. With the Broncos on a bye for Week 12, Adkins will have more time to recover from his knee injury and be available for Week 13 against the Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 30.
Nov 12, 2025
Still unable to practice
Adkins (knee) did not participate at practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has sat out Denver's last two contests with a knee injury he suffered in Week 8 versus the Cowboys, and his availability for Week 11 is now in jeopardy. He'll likely have to practice to some extent Thursday or Friday to give himself a chance to suit up Sunday versus the Chiefs.
Nov 5, 2025
Will miss second straight
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Denver's game against the Raiders on Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Adkins is set to miss his second straight game. He has been unable to practice in any capacity since originally suffering the injury, so it's unclear when he may be able to return. Adam Trautman played a season-high 73 percent of offensive snaps in Adkins' absence in Week 9, and he should see an expanded role once again.
Nov 4, 2025
Sits out of Tuesday's walkthrough
Adkins (knee) did not participate in Tuesday's walkthrough practice.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has opened Week 10 prep with back-to-back DNPs as he continues to recover from a knee injury he sustained against the Cowboys in Week 8. He was unable to play against the Texans on Sunday, and he's unlikely to play Thursday against the Raiders unless he practices in at least a limited capacity Wednesday.
Nov 4, 2025
No practice to begin week
Adkins (knee) was estimated to be a non-participant in Monday's practice, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins was sidelined with the injury in Week 9 and will now have a short turnaround ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Raiders. He'll likely have to log at least one limited session in the next two days to have a chance to suit up on game day.
Oct 31, 2025
Won't play vs. Houston
Adkins (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Adkins was unable to practice all week due to a knee injury he sustained against the Cowboys in Week 8. With Lucas Krull (foot) on injured reserve and Adkins sidelined for Week 9, Adam Trautman will see an elevated role on offense as the TE2 behind Evan Engram, and the Broncos could elevate Caleb Lohner or Marcedes Lewis from the practice squad to the active roster for Sunday's road game.
Oct 29, 2025
No practice to begin week
Adkins (knee) did not practice Wednesday, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins suffered the knee injury in Sunday's win over the Cowboys and did not return. His status for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Texans is likely in doubt, though he'll still have two days to increase his practice activity.
Oct 26, 2025
Dealing with knee injury
Adkins (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest against the Cowboys, Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins suffered an apparent knee injury in the second half, and his status for the rest of the game is now up in the air. In his absence, Evan Engram will continue to handle the majority of the workload at tight end versus Dallas.
Oct 21, 2025
Two catches in Week 7 win
Adkins played 26 of the Broncos' 81 snaps on offense and finished with two catches for 20 yards on three targets in Sunday's 33-32 win over the Giants.
ANALYSIS
Adkins recorded a 16-yard touchdown reception in the Broncos' 13-11 win over the Jets in London in Week 6, but he's otherwise offered little fantasy utility in his backup role at tight end behind starter Evan Engram. Through five appearances on the season, Adkins has played fewer than half of the Broncos' offensive snaps on each occasion and has produced a 6-48-1 receiving line on nine targets.
Oct 3, 2025
Cleared to play against Philly
Adkins (concussion) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Eagles.
ANALYSIS
Adkins entered the league's concussion protocol following the Broncos' Week 4 win over the Bengals. He increased his practice participation steadily over the week, and after a full session Friday, he's been given the green light to play in Sunday's road game, when he'll serve in a depth role at tight end behind Evan Engram and Adam Trautman.
Oct 2, 2025
Returns to practice
Adkins (concussion) was a limited participant at practice Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Adkins was able to return to practice Thursday after suffering a concussion at some point during the team's Week 4 win over the Bengals. The tight end still needs to clear concussion protocol in order to play Sunday in Philadelphia.
Oct 1, 2025
Absent from practice Wednesday
Adkins (concussion) did not practice Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Adkins played 34 offensive snaps and another four on special teams in Monday night's win over the Bengals, securing two of his three targets for five yards. Adkins has minimal fantasy value.
Sep 17, 2025
Log full practice Wednesday
Adkins (ankle) was a full participant at practice Wednesday, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has been held back to some extent since he underwent a tightrope procedure to address a sprained ankle back in July, but it now appears he's finally back to full strength and ready to make his 2025 debut. If starting tight end Evan Engram (back) is unable to play Sunday against the Chargers, Adkins could be in line for an expanded role.
Sep 12, 2025
Ruled out for Week 2
Adkins (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against Indianapolis.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has been working his way back from a tightrope procedure that he underwent in July on an ankle sprain and missed Week 1 against Tennessee. The veteran tight end did manage a pair of limited practice sessions to end the current week, so he appears to be making progress despite being ruled out for Week 2. Denver's tight-end room Sunday will consist of Evan Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
Sep 11, 2025
Returns to practice Thursday
Adkins (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
ANALYSIS
Adkins underwent a tightrope procedure on an ankle sprain in July, which prevented him from participating in training camp and in the week leading up to the Broncos' regular-season opener against the Titans this past Sunday. He returned to practice Thursday, and while it's unclear whether he'll be cleared to play against the Colts on Sunday, he should at least be ready to suit up for the Broncos' Week 3 clash against the Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 21, per Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette. Adkins appeared in 17 regular-season games for Denver in 2024 and posted 14 catches (on 15 targets) for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
Aug 21, 2025
Set to avoid IR
Adkins (ankle) won't go on injured reserve to start the 2025 season, Luca Evans of The Denver Post reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins has been working his way back from an ankle sprain, but head coach Sean Payton expects him to be able to return to action by Week 3. Payton said Thursday that the tight end is "too good a football player for us," thus stressing the importance of having him available as soon as possible.
Aug 14, 2025
Won't be ready to begin season
Adkins (ankle) won't be ready for the start of the regular season, coach Sean Payton relayed Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins will be sidelined for more than a month due to a tightrope procedure on an ankle sprain. If he makes the team despite his injury, Adkins would provide depth in a tight end room that also includes Evan Engram, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
Jan 9, 2025
Scores three touchdowns in 2024
Adkins finished the 2024 campaign with 14 catches on 15 targets for 115 yards and three touchdowns.
ANALYSIS
Adkins appeared in all 17 games of the 2024 campaign after playing in just 10 games as a rookie 2023. The 25-year-old tight end's three trips to the end zone ranked him third in receiving touchdowns for the Broncos, behind wide receivers Courtland Sutton (8) and Marvin Mims (6) and tied with wideout Devaughn Vele. Adkins role did not have a major role in the offense throughout the season, failing to catch more than one pass in all but two games. The South Carolina product remains under contract for the 2025 season before coming a restricted free agent in 2026.
Dec 17, 2024
Hits pay dirt against Indianapolis
Adkins caught his lone target for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-13 win over the Colts.
ANALYSIS
Adkins' trip to the end zone was his third score of the season, each coming on the tight end's only reception in a contest. Through 14 games, the 25-year-old has failed to record more than one catch in any of his appearances. With that said, Adkins played 29 of 63 offensive snaps against the Colts, ahead of both Adam Trautman (27) and Lucas Krull (24). Due to his inconsistent usage and minimal production, Adkins remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Chargers.
Nov 18, 2024
Posts one catch, TD in Week 11
Adkins secured his lone target for a 12-yard touchdown in Sunday's 38-6 win over the Falcons.
ANALYSIS
Adkins started the Denver's avalanche of scoring Sunday, catching his second touchdown of the season early in the first quarter against Atlanta. The 25-year-old tight end has recorded just six receptions for 34 yards and two scores over the course of the first 11 games of the 2024 campaign. Adkins' role as the No. 2 tight end in Denver's passing offense has predictably not resulted in much production this season. He should remain off the fantasy radar in a Week 12 matchup with the Raiders.
May 9, 2024
Chance for roster spot improves
Adkins will have the chance to win a roster spot in Denver as a depth tight end, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Adkins appeared in 10 games for the Broncos in 2023, though he exited Week 18 early with a hamstring injury. Healthy again, he'll look to maintain a spot on the roster as primarily a special-teams contributor.
Jan 7, 2024
Will not return
Adkins will not return to Sunday's matchup with the Raiders due to a hamstring injury, Zac Stevens of TheDNVR.com reports.
ANALYSIS
It is not clear how severe Adkins knee injury is at this point in time. While he is sidelined, Lucas Krull will be the only depth option at tight end behind Adam Trautman.
Dec 3, 2023
Healthy scratch for Week 13
Adkins (coach's decision) is inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
The 24-year-old tight end appeared in each of Denver's last two games, but it now seems as if he's fallen down the depth chart. The Broncos elevated Lucas Krull to their active roster Saturday, and with Adkins inactive, Krull will likely serve as the team's No. 3 tight end in Week 13. Adkins has appeared in eight games for Denver this season, catching four of his five targets for 22 yards and primarily playing on special teams.
Sep 10, 2023
Healthy scratch for Week 1
Adkins (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
A rookie undrafted free agent, Adkins made the Broncos' initial 53-man roster, but he'll be inactive for the season opener. Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich and Chris Manhertz are currently ahead of Adkins on the depth chart.
Download the app