So, in the end, the Broncos came up empty at the NFL trade deadline.
Inside linebacker Daiyan Henley, who appeared headed to the Broncos from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in 2027 and a fifth-round choice in 2028, will return to Southern California after the Broncos announced late Wednesday night on social media that the swap would not be finalized.
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) November 12, 2026
When the deal was announced Tuesday, it was pending a physical, as all trades are. And in a year that has seen the Ravens’ acquisition of Maxx Crosby and the Bengals’ pickup of Arnold Ebiketie walked back, it’s not the first time that a swap has been announced only to be rescinded, although the situations weren’t the same.
Henley was listed on the Chargers’ injury report last week with a shoulder injury, but it did not prevent him from playing last Sunday at Houston.
Earlier Wednesday, the Broncos had waived cornerback Sean Fresch Jr. to make room for Henley on the 53-player roster.
BRONCOS COULD HAVE USED HENLEY FOR DEPTH AND IN COVERAGE
Henley was not expected to step into the starting lineup for the Broncos, but he would have given them an experienced insurance policy behind starters Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad that they currently lack. Reserves Karene Reid and Jordan Turner and practice-squad rookie Red Murdock have a combined 29 defensive snaps in the regular season and postseason.
So far this season, inside linebacker is the only position group on the defensive side of the ball to emerge unscathed from injuries. Denver has lost edge rusher Jonah Elliss, defensive lineman Enyi Uwazruike, both starting safeties (Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones) and its top two cornerbacks (Pat Surtain II and Riley Moss) for various stretches of the campaign to date.
https://t.co/Ewbs7j6Yga pic.twitter.com/QzaZ40ZFF7
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 12, 2026
Denver has also been susceptible to opposing tight ends so far this season, and Henley could have helped bolster the work there. The Broncos have allowed 65 catches for 689 yards and five touchdowns to tight ends from other teams, including 350 yards and four touchdowns on 35 receptions in the last three games, which have seen them go against Arizona’s Trey McBride, Kansas City’s Travis Kelce and Carolina’s Darren Waller.
It doesn’t get any easier immediately after the bye with Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers coming to Denver. Denver will also see tight ends such as Pittsburgh’s Pat Friermuth, rookie Kenyon Sadiq of the New York Jets and Buffalo’s Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid on Christmas Day.
The Broncos could have used the extra help Henley could provide. Now they’ll have to rely on what they have on hand.
