WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.V. -- Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton always has a plan -- what he calls a "vision" -- for each player on the team's roster. But a surprise can still sneak up on Payton, 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 by the Baltimore Ravens out of Missouri, had flashed during training camp this year, the Broncos' plan for the 24-year-old was to keep him close. They put him on the practice squad to keep him available for the occasional elevation to the game-day roster, like they have done the past two weeks. But with a cut here and a spin there, Badie has become the most unexpected of sparks in what has otherwise been a largely dormant run game.
"He's been real decisive, he's had some big runs for us, he's smart, he knows the system, he's good in the passing game," Payton said of Badie. "He brings a lot."
Badie was moved to the active roster Wednesday morning when linebacker Alex Singleton (knee) was put on injured reserve. He has forced the Broncos' collective hand with the maximum impact he's made in very few chances, especially as the offense searches for some equilibrium with rookie Bo Nix at quarterback.
"All the work I put in, I'm grateful for the opportunity," Badie said. "I just want to help win games."
The Broncos (1-2) have had their share of run-game struggles early in the season. Heading into Sunday's game with 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 have come mostly on scrambles to escape pressure in the pocket, is also tied for second on team in carries (18) and has two of Denver's three rushing touchdowns.
Right behind Nix in rushing yardage is Badie. His 86 yards have come on only 10 carries, providing a double-take-worthy 28.8% of the team's rushing yardage in limited time. Nine of those 10 carries came as a practice squad elevation for this past Sunday's game in Tampa Bay. He gained 70 yards, including a 43-yard run -- the longest for the Broncos this season.
Badie breaks free! 💨
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) September 22, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JiuNxzNUoI
"[Badie] played great Sunday," Nix said. "Just another one of those guys in the backfield who can provide explosive plays."
Payton had been asked several times prior to Sunday's win over the Buccaneers about when Badie could see more carries. Badie's only carry beyond that Bucs game was a 16-yard run in the second quarter of the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even though it was the Broncos' longest carry of that game, Badie never touched the ball again.
Payton has admitted to being far more comfortable organizing 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) getting the bulk of the backfield work so far. But Badie might be convincing the veteran coach to alter his approach.
"... It's easy to work two backs into a rotation; it's hard with three," Payton said Sunday. "[Badie had] been practicing well. ... We'll keep working that combination."
Badie has been waiting for his chance since the Broncos signed him off the Ravens' practice squad with two games to play in the 2022 season. He had two touches for Denver after arriving that season -- 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 flashed impact ability in practice and training camp this past summer, often breaking free for the longest runs in team drills.
"I always felt like I could play," Badie said after practice Wednesday. "I feel like I had a great camp. ... I got prepared, always be prepared. Just make the most of my opportunities."
The Broncos certainly need some juice in the run game and seem poised to see if Badie can continue to provide an impact with additional work. Williams and McLaughlin have struggled so far, each averaging a lackluster 2.2 yards per carry and each losing a fumble. Williams has six carries over three games this season for no gain or negative yardage, while McLaughlin has four. Payton has said the blame should be spread around to the backs for not always picking the right running lane and the offensive line for not creating enough creases for the backs to run through.
Denver is 22nd in the league in rushing (99.7 yards per games) and 20th in yards per carry (4.2). Prior to Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, the team ranked 27th and 25th, respectively. The Broncos are also one of seven teams who 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 in the game," Badie said. "A lot of people say acceleration into preparation, and I just prepared for my name to be called."