After the Broncos lost outside linebacker Bradley Chubb to a season-ending torn ACL, the team worked out three edge defenders: Jeremiah Attaochu, Sam Acho and Nate Orchard. KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis was the first to report those workouts.
Denver ended up signing Attaochu, a former second-round draft choice who has totaled 12 sacks in his career.
“Obviously with losing Bradley, we had a spot open there and needed a fourth outside linebacker,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said Wednesday. “We worked out some guys and we thought he [Attaochu] was the best fit for us right at this moment.”
Attaochu will join an outside linebackers room that includes Von Miller, Malik Reed and Justin Hollins.
Orchard was a star on “Hard Knocks” while competing for a roster spot with the Browns in 2018. He totaled five sacks during his time in Cleveland.
Acho is a veteran pass rusher who spent the last four years with the Bears, playing under Fangio from 2015-2018. He has totaled 17 sacks in his career.
Of note, Denver did not work out Dekoda Watson, a veteran edge defender who went to camp with the Broncos this summer. Watson was cut by Denver in August and he worked out for the Ravens on Tuesday.
After the addition of Attaochu, Denver’s 53-man roster is now full.
