The Denver Broncos have signed tight end Orson Charles, ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported Wednesday.
Charles (6-3, 257 pounds) entered the league as a fourth-round pick out of Georiga with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012. He went on to spend time with the New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns before landing in Denver.
The Broncos have been hit hard by tight end injuries this summer, placing Austin Fort and Bug Howard on injured reserve. Jake Butt (knee) has not played in the last two preseason games and Jeff Heuerman (shoulder) was held out of practice Wednesday.
Charles has been used primarily as a blocking tight end in the NFL. Over the last five seasons, he has caught just 14 passes for 185 yards.
Charles will be competing with Heuerman, Butt, Noah Fant, Troy Fumagalli and Moral Stephens for a spot on the 53-man roster. Denver will likely carry at least three tight ends, with the potential of another on the practice squad.
Charles can also play fullback, which might help his chances of making the team. Starting fullback Andy Janovich (pectoral) is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season and offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello has hinted that a tight end may fill in at fullback until Janovich returns.
This signing could be bad news for undrafted rookie George Aston, who was the only healthy FB on the roster before Charles arrived.
