KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Cleared for Action: Team reporter Elisa Hernandez confirmed that LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga were full participants in Wednesday’s practice.
- Visual Proof: Video footage shows Greenlaw sprinting without limitations, dispelling concerns about his hamstring tweak.
- Run Defense Fix: The return of these two “enforcers” is critical to stopping the Bills’ rushing attack, which gashed Denver for 210 yards last postseason.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos’ defense isn’t just hoping to be ready for Josh Allen; they are officially locked and loaded. After weeks of speculation regarding the status of their biggest offseason acquisitions, the definitive answer arrived on the practice field Wednesday.
In a video update shared by team reporter Elisa Hernandez, linebackers Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga were seen going through individual drills at full speed. This is the “green light” Broncos Country has been waiting for.
“Moving Like He Never Left”
Greenlaw, who tweaked his hamstring in the Week 18 finale against the Chargers, looked explosive in the footage. Hernandez noted that the linebacker showed “zero hesitation” during change-of-direction drills. This aligns with Sean Payton’s optimism earlier in the week, but seeing the veteran hit top gear offers concrete proof.
For a defense preparing to face the physical running style of Buffalo’s James Cook and Josh Allen, Greenlaw’s presence is non-negotiable. His speed sideline-to-sideline is the primary counter to the plays that embarrassed Denver last January.
“You can feel the energy shift when those guys are in the huddle. Dre brings a violence to the game that is contagious. seeing him flying around today… yeah, we’re ready.” — Vance Joseph, Defensive Coordinator
Hufanga’s Return Completes the Puzzle
While Greenlaw’s hamstring was the headline, Talanoa Hufanga’s return from a minor ankle sprain is equally vital. The All-Pro safety acts as the “eraser” in the secondary. Against a quarterback like Allen who extends plays, Hufanga’s instinctual playmaking prevents scrambles from turning into touchdowns.
With both enforcers back, Denver’s defense — which ranked No. 1 in points allowed at home this season — is whole again. The excuse of being “banged up” is gone. On Saturday, they face the team that ended their season last year, but this time, they have the personnel to punch back.
Playoff Implications
The Bills are currently 1.5-point favorites, largely due to their playoff experience. However, a fully healthy Broncos defense at Mile High changes the calculus. If Greenlaw and Hufanga play their usual snap counts, Buffalo’s run-heavy game plan faces a much stiffer test than the “turnstile” defense they saw in 2025.
