According to Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, he expects defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike to be back with the team soon.

The former fourth-round selection was suspended last year for gambling, but the State of Colorado and Arapahoe County will not be filing gambling charges against the Broncos defensive lineman. He had his hearing with the league today and it sounds like Payton believes Uwazurike will be reinstated and able to rejoin the team shortly.

Payton added that Uwazurike is in good shape so that is a plus considering he has been away from the team for about a year now. With that said, it will be a long road ahead for him, and his odds of making the team currently are probably low. However, with his size, athleticism, and strength, he seems like a lock to be one of the players the Broncos keep on their practice squad this season.

He is listed at 6-6, 320 pounds which makes him the biggest player the Broncos have on their roster currently, and is 26 years old. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and was expected to add some size, strength, athleticism, and depth to the defensive line. He did not play a ton during his rookie year and was viewed as a potential breakout candidate last season for the Broncos, but the suspension threw a wrench into those plans. Now, at 26 years old and a year away from the team and football, he has a long road ahead of him if he wants to be a contributor on the Broncos defense.

Another thing going against him right now is the depth along the Broncos offensive line. The team has Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers, D.J. Jones, Malcolm Roach, Angelo Blackson and reserves like Matt Henningsen and Elijah Garcia who he has to compete with. So, it’s great that he is coming back, but he has to put in the work if he wants to be a contributor to this team moving forward.