Lil\u2019Jordan Humphrey hasn\u2019t always been in this position.<\/p>\n
The Broncos receiver enters Week 2 not only promoted to the active roster from the practice squad, but as a player coach Sean Payton trusts.<\/p>\n
Payton earlier this week gave Humphrey one of his most complimentary tags, saying \u201cyou know exactly what you\u2019re getting\u201d when it comes to the 25-year-old wide receiver.<\/p>\n
It would be easy to assume Payton\u2019s always thought that about Humphrey. After all, New Orleans drafted him out of Texas in 2019 and Payton loaded up on several former Saints players during his first offseason as the Broncos\u2019 head coach for a reason.<\/p>\n
Humphrey, though, had several bumps in the road over his first three years.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s why he doesn\u2019t take Payton\u2019s trust in him now for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take a lot of pride in it, especially since, being with him early on in my career, that wasn\u2019t the case,\u201d Humphrey said. \u201cI had to earn that with him. I earned that rapport with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
From 2019-21, Humphrey appeared in 18 games (six starts) and in 2021 caught 13 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n
Along the way, though, he found himself in the doghouse with Payton on multiple occasions.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor sure, he\u2019ll let you know,\u201d Humphrey said. \u201cOr you just won\u2019t be in. I messed up a couple of times early in my career and I kind of knew he didn\u2019t think I was that guy. I had to earn that rapport with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Humphrey says most of the trouble came from missed assignments. He can remember specific plays, though he doesn\u2019t see a reason to dredge them back up now.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still remember, he probably forgot all about it,\u201d Humphrey said with a smile.<\/p>\n
In Week 1 against Las Vegas, Humphrey\u2019s progress showed. He played the second-most snaps among Denver wide receivers, trailing only Courtland Sutton, and caught a first-half touchdown by expertly maneuvering along the back line of the end zone and providing quarterback Russell Wilson a big target.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018LJ\u2019s been in games,\u201d Payton said Friday. \u201cIf it was college or high school and you asked if he\u2019s lettered, he\u2019s lettered a lot in an NFL season.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Broncos will get reinforcements at wide receiver this weekend with top receiver Jerry Jeudy’s return, a development Humphrey said he’s excited about.<\/p>\n
“He brings a different aspect to the offense, for sure,” Humphrey said. “He’s quick, can run, can run with the ball. Everything. He’s another explosive part to the offense and all it’s going to do is enhance our progress.”<\/p>\n
Even still, expect Humphrey to have a substantial role himself. More than six weeks after Tim Patrick was lost for the season to a torn Achilles in training camp, it\u2019s Humphrey who’s emerged as the closest thing to his replacement. He\u2019s 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds and the offensive staff trusts him to play the same kind of big slot work Patrick was set to have, which features operating in the middle of the field and doing the dirty work in the run game.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a role Humphrey wasn\u2019t sure he was going to have when he was released on roster cutdown day and then brought back on the practice squad.<\/p>\n
Then he played 45 of Denver\u2019s 64 offensive snaps against the Raiders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal always is to work your way up and be on the active,\u201d Humphrey said. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t know what was going to happen. I just knew I was going to work and whatever happens happens.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe ready, stay prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n
A lesson he learned in New Orleans and now is putting into practice in Denver.<\/p>\n