ENGLEWOOD – After 2 ½ years on NFL practice squads, cornerback Reese Taylor last month finally got the news he long had sought. On Nov. 15, the day before the Broncos defeated the Kansas City 22-19 at home, Taylor was promoted to Denver’s 53-man roster. “It definitely caught me by surpr ise,’’ Taylor said at Broncos Park in advance of Sunday’s game at Las Vegas. “I was just doing what I was told to do, going out every day practicing hard and that hard work paid off. … It’s been a long road but I was just controlling what I can control and I knew eventually it would turn my way and it did.” Taylor went undrafted out of Purdue in 2023 before signing with the Chiefs. He was briefly on their practice squad at the start of the season before being cut and signing with Denver’s practice squad for the second half of 2023. He was then on the Broncos’ practice squad all of last season and for the first half of this season. What got Taylor on the 53-man roster was his play on special teams. He looked good when elevated off the practice squad for a 10-7 win over the Raiders at home Nov. 6, and the Broncos soon cut wide receiver Trent Sherfield, whom they had signed last March for special teams play, in favor of Taylor. That was Taylor’s second NFL regular-season game, his first being when he was elevated for a game against Indianapolis last December. Taylor got in for 20 snaps on special teams against the Raiders, for 19 against the Chiefs and 20 in last Sunday’s 27-26 overtime win at Washington. He is expected to again be a fixture on special teams Sunday. “You just got to stay hungry and make plays,’’ Taylor said of what it takes to be good on special teams. “You watch film and prepare.” That helped Taylor make an impressive tackle against the Commanders. In the first quarter, he dumped Jeremy McNichols at the Washington 21 after a mere 15-yard kickoff return. “I just knew that by watching film,’’ Taylor said of getting in position to make the tackle. Taylor hopes to be able to help on defense down the road. But for now, he relishes the position he’s in with Denver. “I’m just happy to be here,’’ Taylor said. “It’s everything I wanted.” Broncos rule out Jones, Adkins The Broncos on Friday ruled out defensive tackle D.J. Jones and tight end Nate Adkins for Sunday’s game. Jones didn’t practice all week after suffering an ankle injury against the Commanders. He is expected to be replaced in the lineup by Malcolm Roach. Adkins, who will miss his fifth straight game, suffered a knee injury Oct. 26 and also hasn’t practiced since then. Denver coach Sean Payton said last week he was hopeful Adkins would return to practice in preparation to face the Raiders but that didn’t happen. Rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant did not have an injury designation after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday with a hamstring injury. Defensive lineman Zach Allen returned to practice Friday after sitting out Thursday due to a calf injury and also did not have an injury designation. Las Vegas listed star defensive end Maxx Crosby as questionable for Sunday after he missed practice Thursday and Friday with a knee injury. The Raiders listed four other players as questionable and as out wide receivers Alex Bachman (thumb) and Don’te Thornton (concussion) and tight end Michael Mayer (ankle). Payton lauds Bolles Payton lauded Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles for being their nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. The award goes annually to a player who also makes valuable contributions in the community. “The stuff he does is remarkable,’’ Payton said Friday after Bolles’ nomination had been announced Thursday. “Anytime we have a guest at Saturday’s practice, maybe a child with a wish, the last person there is Garett. He’s relentless with his giving, and that reflects well on our team and our organization and that’s a big deal. I’m proud of him for that.” Bolles, who was nominated for the award during Payton’s first Denver season of 2023, is also having an outstanding year on the field for the 10-2 Broncos. He is ranked by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s No. 2 tackle, with only Detroit Penei Swell having a better grade. “He’s so athletic, and he is playing well,’’ Payton said. Allen makes most of less snaps Despite playing in the interior of the defensive line, Allen leads the NFL in quarterback pressures. “He’s so quick off the ball,’’ Payton said. “He bends well.” The Broncos sought to reduce Allen’s snap count this season after he was in for 89.4% of the snaps in the 16 games he played last season. Allen has appeared in all 12 games this season and has played 72.9% of the snaps. “It’s just strictly health really,’’ Payton said. “It’s just being aware of how much that’s going to help him and us. So it’s just monitoring (his snaps).” Briefly The Broncos have won nine straight games. That is their longest winning streak since 2012 when Denver, with quarterback Peyton Manning in his first season with the team, had an 11-game run. … Broncos cornerback Riley Moss has been called for 11 penalties this season, with nine being accepted. “You are always studying technique and working on it,’’ said Payton, who said he admires that Moss’ “confidence level” is “one of his great strengths.” … Taylor played at Indiana his first four college seasons before finishing at Purdue in 2022. He has been talking trash with Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper and running back J.K. Dobbins, who both went to Ohio State, Indiana’s foe in Saturday’s Big Ten Championship. “We’re going to whoop Ohio State pretty quick,’’ he said he has told the two. ...read more read less