Dalton Keene, Chatfield alum, back on Broncos practice squad

Dalton Keene has an important week ahead of him in Dove Valley, even if the Chatfield alum won’t see the field Sunday against the Chargers.

The tight end, re-signed to Denver’s practice squad Dec. 27, sees his reps this week as a potential tryout for next season, despite the fact the Broncos don’t know who their head coach will be.

“I feel like I’ve made some good impressions here (and elsewhere around the league),” Keene said. “If I can stay healthy, who knows where I’ll end up? I hope it would be here, but we will see what happens coming in this offseason.”

Keene was originally drafted by the Patriots in the third round out of Virginia Tech in 2020. After compiling three catches for 16 yards in six games as a rookie, he missed the entire 2021 season due to injury, then was released by New England during the preseason.

After workouts with the 49ers, Giants and Steelers didn’t produce a roster spot, the 23-year-old signed with Philadelphia, spending the first five weeks of 2022 on the Eagles’ practice squad.

He was released by the Eagles Oct. 4, signed by the Broncos to their practice squad on Oct. 15, then released three days later. From then until last week when the Broncos called him again, Keene hung around Dove Valley, training at nearby Landow Performance and staying ready.

“New England was more like my hammer (as a career tool) — they teach you to work hard and play tough,” Keene said. “That was the biggest thing I brought with me to Denver, and knowing how to really work.”

Outten still in charge: Justin Outten will remain the Broncos’ play-caller for the season finale against Los Angeles at Empower Field after taking over the duties for quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak prior to last week’s 27-24 loss in Kansas City.

But interim head coach Jerry Rosburg hinted at more lineup and/or gameplan changes Sunday as the Broncos try to end the year on a high note. Specifically, he suggested Outten will let Russell Wilson air it out a little more.