The Denver Broncos have made a major move. Marcedes Lewis is back in the NFL, signing with the Broncos’ practice squad at 41. That makes him the oldest active tight end in the league, and the last active link to the 2006 draft class. It’s a rare sight in today’s youth-driven NFL. But with Denver’s tight end room battered, they’re turning to experience over flash. Lewis’ return tells you just how thin the Broncos are at that spot.

Denver doesn’t just need a body. They need a steady veteran. TE Lucas Krull is on the injury reserve, rehabbing from his foot surgery, and could miss the rest of the season. TE Nate Adkins also suffered a non-contact injury in Week 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys and is now sidelined with a questionable status. Head coach Sean Payton needed a reliable security blanket for quarterback Bo Nix.

To make matters worse, wide receiver and return specialist Marvin Mims Jr. has also suffered a concussion in Week 8 and is questionable. Nix was promised weapons to make plays. This season, his options vanished fast. There are just four receivers and two tight ends fully healthy to make any kind of impact. That’s not a postseason formula. It’s a recipe for impending disaster. And that’s exactly what Lewis comes in to fix if he’s elevated to the active roster on game day.

With 19 seasons under his belt, Marcedes Lewis had long since solidified his presence as a reliable target. He will now look to add more numbers to his existing 437 catches for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns. At 41, it’ll be interesting to see if he can still make big plays. It’s an unusual move, but desperate times call for experienced measures.

Lewis isn’t known for flashy stats, though. Last season, he caught only 1 pass for two yards. But with nearly two decades in the league, he’s a walking blueprint of durability. The Broncos hope that blueprint can keep the offense moving despite a big chunk of the roster reeling from injuries (6 names on the IR, 2 questionable in the offense alone). But Lewis needs to get back in game shape before making any kind of impact.

The signing of Marcedes Lewis hints at another troubling trend for the Broncos. With the trade deadline inching close, Sean Payton & Co. didn’t have the luxury of youth. They could get only time-tested toughness. But it wasn’t for lack of trying.

The tight end crisis for Sean Payton and Bo Nix

Here’s where it gets sticky. Bo Nix’s sophomore year has seen him post a 1,803-yard campaign with 15 passing touchdowns (and 3 rushing scores) already. He’s lighting up the offense, but he’s also thrown five picks and taken 8 sacks. With tight ends dropping off the roster sheet and most of the O-line battered and bruised, Sean Payton’s offense looks a little exposed. This isn’t the roster he planned for.

Trading for help was an option. The Broncos tried to claim TEs Brendan Bates and Ben Sims off waivers, but with a higher claim, they went to the Cleveland Browns and the Minnesota Vikings, respectively. There are other options around the league, certainly, but none seem explosive enough to energize the offense. So, the Broncos settled on calling in a legend for the short term. Marcedes Lewis has been described as “back for more,” and that sums up Denver’s mindset. They’re hanging on to experience as they try to keep their offense moving.

It’s not a magic fix, surely. But it’s a smart stopgap. This move buys time and maybe some confidence while the Broncos try to patch up the offense. The question now? Can Lewis’ 19-season grit help Denver get more wins as they go 6-2 to face the Houston Texans next? We’ll find out…