ENGLEWOOD – With Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant out Sunday against Green Bay, Lil’Jordan Humphrey could be counted on for some more catches and definitely for some more blocks. Humphrey is an accomplished blocker. He emphasized that in an interview with The Denver Gazette after Friday’s p ractice at Broncos Park. “I think I’m the best to be honest at blocking for sure,’’ Humphrey said of all receivers in the NFL. “I’m definitely the best.” Humphrey has been one of Sean Payton’s favorite players for years, and one reason is his blocking. Humphrey played for the head coach in New Orleans during his first three NFL seasons from 2019-21, then with Denver from 2023-24 before leaving last March to sign with the New York Giants. But when he was on the Giants’ practice squad, Payton made sure he was plucked away on Nov. 12. Humphrey was the Broncos’ No. 5 receiver in his first three games back with Denver, but he is expected to move up to No. 4 against the Packers at Empower Field at Mile High due to Bryant being ruled out Friday with what the team lists as a hamstring injury. Bryant was listed as limited in practices Dec. 4 and 5 with the injury but played last Sunday at Las Vegas, catching four passes for 32 yards while playing 35 snaps. The rookie, though, didn’t practice all week with the Broncos wanting to be cautious. “It’s hard to describe,’’ Payton said Friday about Bryant’s injury. “It’s attached to the hamstring. … if this was a playoff game, or in other words, he’d be able to go, and yet in order to get him back to full strength, we feel like we’ve done the right thing this week.” The Broncos also listed as out for Sunday guard Ben Powers, who hasn’t played since suffering a biceps injury at Philadelphia on Oct 5 that required surgery and was designated for return Wednesday from injured reserve. Payton said Powers “is getting there” on his way back. Tackle Mike McGlinchey was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle D.J. Jones, who sat out against the Raiders with an ankle injury, and tight end Nate Adkins, who missed the past five games with a knee injury, both had no injury designation and will play against the Packers. With Adkins back, the Broncos on Thursday waived tight end Marcedes Lewis after signing him off the practice squad last Saturday. Payton said it was made clear to Lewis, 41, that he would return to the practice squad if he cleared waivers and he did so Friday. Lewis is out of his three elevations for the season. As Denver’s No. 4 wide receiver behind Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr., Bryant has 22 catches this season, with 12 coming in the last three games. Payton has said he wants to get the ball more to Mims, and he could have a bigger role Sunday with Bryant out. “Just trying to go out there and do my part,’’ Mims said Friday. Humphrey also could snare some passes. After having no catches in his first two games back with Denver, he had three grabs for 27 yards against the Raiders. “It’s an opportunity to get some more plays in, a bigger role, and I just got to make the most of it while Pat is out,” Humphrey said. Humphrey got in for 28 snaps against the Raiders, and that number should increase against Green Bay. He figures to do plenty of blocking. “At the end of the day, I feel like blocking is just a mentality and a want to do,’’ Humphrey said. “I just have the mentality to be physical and the want-to to show effort.” The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Humphrey said his size helps him be an effective blocker against “some smaller” defensive backs. As for his claim of being the NFL’s best blocking receiver, Mims agrees. “He really does it well,’’ said Mims, also Humphrey’s teammate the past two seasons. “If I’m running screens behind him, I just know I can trust him. He’s a big, long guy but he’s got hidden strength. If you look at him, he doesn’t look really strong but he is.” Tight end Evan Engram has been Humphrey’s teammate for just a month but said he “has my vote for sure” as the league’s best blocking receiver. Humphrey has had some good NFL moments catching the ball; he had career highs of 31 receptions and 293 yards last season. He was asked why Payton regularly wanted him on his teams. “I feel like I’m a tough guy and I know a little bit of football,’’ Humphrey said. “And he values guys like that.” With the Broncos having plenty of depth at receiver, Humphrey signed last March with the New York Giants. But he caught just four passes in three games with the Giants, one being Denver’s dramatic 33-32 win on Oct. 19 at Empower Field. “When I saw (Payton) when we came down here, he showed me some love,’’ Humphrey said. “He gave me a hug and stuff like that. Definitely my guy.” Humphrey said he doesn’t regret turning down an offer by the Broncos last March to sign with the Giants. But he’s “happy” now to be back in Denver and throwing his share of big blocks. ...read more read less