If you’ve been following the Denver Broncos roster churn over the last year, you probably saw a name pop up and vanish faster than a Mile High sunset. Cole Fotheringham. He was the guy everyone hoped would be that "diamond in the rough" blocking tight end Sean Payton loves so much. But then, the transaction wire hit: Cole Fotheringham Denver Broncos IR.
Honestly, the way it went down was a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute he's the training camp darling after a solid tryout, and the next, he's basically out of the building. It’s the kind of NFL reality that doesn't get a lot of airtime on SportsCenter, but for a guy trying to make his mark, it was everything.
The Quick Rise and Hard Fall in Denver
Let’s look at how we got here. Back in May 2025, the Broncos were looking for bodies. They needed someone who could move people in the run game. Fotheringham, who had a cup of coffee with the Raiders and Texans, showed up to rookie minicamp as a veteran tryout player. He stood out. He’s 6-foot-4, 243 pounds, and plays with the kind of grit you'd expect from a Utah Ute.
He impressed the staff enough to earn a contract on May 12, 2025. For a second there, it looked like he might actually challenge for a spot behind guys like Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull.
Then, the injury bug bit.
By June 3, 2025, the Broncos made a move that caught a few people off guard. They signed undrafted rookie Caden Prieskorn—an athletic target out of Ole Miss—and in a corresponding move, they waived/injured Fotheringham. Because he wasn't claimed by anyone else, he cleared waivers and reverted to the Cole Fotheringham Denver Broncos IR list on June 4.
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The Injury Settlement Truth
Being on "reverted IR" in June is basically a death sentence for your chances of playing that year with that specific team. If you stay there, you’re stuck on the shelf all season, not practicing, just collecting a check. Most guys in Fotheringham’s position want to actually play football.
On June 5, 2025, the Broncos and Fotheringham agreed to an injury settlement.
Basically, the team pays him for a set number of weeks (the time they estimate it'll take him to get healthy), and he becomes a free agent. It's a way for the team to clear a roster spot and for the player to get a chance to sign elsewhere once his body cooperates.
Where is Cole Fotheringham Now?
If you think his story ended in Denver, you'd be wrong. The guy is a grinder.
After he got healthy and the settlement period ended, the New England Patriots came calling. They signed him on July 30, 2025. He even got some preseason action in—actually recovering a fumble in a game against the Patriots (ironically, while playing for them).
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But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" business. He was part of the final roster cuts in Foxborough on August 22, 2025.
- Career Snaps: 32 (all with the Raiders in 2023)
- Career Stats: 1 catch for 6 yards.
- Draft Status: Undrafted out of Utah (2022).
It’s easy to look at those numbers and shrug. But in the world of NFL "bubble" players, Fotheringham is exactly the type of player teams keep on speed dial. He's a reliable blocker who knows multiple systems.
Why the Broncos IR Stint Matters
You might wonder why we’re even talking about a guy who spent less than a month in Denver. It’s because it highlights the tight end volatility in Sean Payton’s offense. Payton is always looking for that specific "Y" tight end who can block like a tackle but move like a receiver.
When the Broncos put Cole Fotheringham on the IR, it wasn't because they hated his game. It was a numbers game. They saw Caden Prieskorn available—a guy with a higher "ceiling" as a pass-catcher—and they had to make a choice. Fotheringham’s undisclosed injury gave them the roster flexibility to make that swap.
It’s a brutal part of the league. You get hurt on a Tuesday, and by Wednesday, your locker is being cleaned out for a rookie.
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The Realistic Outlook
As of early 2026, Fotheringham is essentially a "Reserve/Future" candidate or a name you'll see on practice squad workout lists. He’s now 28 years old. That’s the age where "potential" starts to lose out to "younger and cheaper" rookies.
However, his experience with the Raiders (where he actually played in two regular-season games in 2023) gives him a leg up over kids coming straight out of college. Coaches trust guys who won't blow a blocking assignment on 3rd and short.
Actionable Takeaways for Broncos Fans
If you're still tracking the Broncos' tight end room or Fotheringham's career, keep these points in mind:
- Monitor the Waiver Wire in August: This is when "blocking specialists" like Fotheringham usually get their next shot. If a team loses their primary blocking TE to an ACL tear in camp, expect Fotheringham’s name to pop up for a workout.
- The Prieskorn Factor: The reason Fotheringham left was largely due to the arrival of Caden Prieskorn. If Prieskorn doesn't develop as a blocker, Denver might find themselves looking for a Fotheringham-type player again soon.
- Injury Settlements are Keys: Always remember that an injury settlement (like the one Fotheringham signed) is actually a good thing for a player who isn't a superstar. It allows them to bypass the "season-ending" aspect of IR and get back on the field for someone else.
The story of the Cole Fotheringham Denver Broncos IR designation is really just a microcosm of the NFL's middle class. It's about being healthy at the right time and being the right fit for a specific scheme. He didn't stick in Denver, but he's proven he can at least get through the door of an NFL facility, which is more than most can say.
Next Steps for You: If you are tracking the Broncos' current roster health, check the latest 2026 Reserve/Future signings. These are the contracts typically handed out in January to players like Fotheringham to give them a shot at the upcoming spring camps.