National Football League

How do the Broncos plan on replacing new TE Jeff Heuerman?

Published May. 11, 2015 11:49 p.m. ET

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He figured to be a role player at tight end for the Broncos this season.

Now, the Broncos need to figure out how to Jeff Heuerman after the Ohio State product was lost for the season with an ACL injury.

A "quantity over quality" approach could end up being Denver's answer. Per the team's website, Gary Kubiak's Texan teams had four tight ends on the Week 1 roster five times, and carried three tight ends in the other seasons (2008, 2012, 2013). In 2011 and 2012, current Bronco James Casey started at fullback, but he's listed as a tight end/fullback on the roster now.

Casey is one candidate to step up. So is former Kubiak disciple Owen Daniels and younger options Virgil Green, Dominique Jones, and Jo Don Duncan.

Duncan is an interesting case. He's a former D-II player from Dixie State who went undrafted, but the Broncos' site says the team could use his 270-pound frame as a willing blocker.

The team also cautions that a free agent addition would also make sense. Former Bengal Jermaine Gresham and former Raider Nick Kasa are two available names.

(h/t Denver Broncos)