It is a unique period in the NFL offseason -- voluntary spring practices with no pads, no full contact, and every play scrutinized only by the coaching staff. Amid this environment, a player sidelined for two weeks due to a planned procedure is rarely cause for concern.
That is the case for Denver Broncos tight end Caleb Lohner.
As reported by 9NEWS Denver's Mike Klis, Lohner underwent a routine lower-body procedure during the spring and will miss the next two weeks of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp practices. The team does not view this as alarming, expecting Lohner to be fully cleared and ready to go by the start of training camp in late July.
For a player who entered the league last season, missing reps in May and June is less than ideal. Every practice opportunity in this timeframe is critical for development. However, the key word here is "routine," and the Broncos have greater depth concerns at tight end than a two-week absence.
Lohner has been a player to watch since Broncos head coach Sean Payton first singled him out after rookie minicamp last year. Payton praised his build, athleticism, and the transformation he has shown this offseason compared to his rookie year. That is meaningful praise from a coach who is deliberate with compliments.
"He's in great shape," Payton said earlier this month. "You see him."
From Payton, "you see him" is an indication that Lohner's offseason work and physical development have been impressive. He has reshaped his body and gained the confidence of the coaching staff. Now, while he recovers from the procedure, he will miss critical spring practices.
The timing is significant because mandatory minicamp is only a week away. These sessions represent the final organized practice window before training camp -- the last opportunity for coaches to install new concepts and evaluate players in a structured setting. Lohner will be sidelined for this stretch and will have to absorb much from the sidelines and meetings.
However, the Broncos' tight end room is notably crowded compared to last year. Evan Engram returns for his second season after hauling in 50 catches for 461 yards and a touchdown in 2025. Adam Trautman is back as the primary inline blocker with 20 receptions for 195 yards and a score last year, playing in all 17 games. Lucas Krull remains on the roster, and rookie Justin Joly, drafted in 2026, adds depth.
Lohner is still working to find his niche among that group.
Whatever the specific nature of Lohner's lower-body procedure, it is expected to be a minor setback. Two weeks off during spring ball is a brief pause. With six weeks until training camp, the Broncos anticipate he will be fully healed, ready to run routes, take hits, and compete for snaps when pads go on.
The main question is not whether Lohner will miss these two weeks, but whether losing this time affects his developmental momentum.
Sean Payton's offense demands tight ends perform multiple roles -- precise route running, perimeter blocking, releasing out of protection, stretching the field, and understanding complex assignments, particularly on third downs. Achieving this takes repetitions on the practice field and chemistry within the offense, which spring practices help build.
Lohner will be in meetings to learn the offense but unable to practice with teammates during this period.
Coming from a basketball background, Lohner's path to becoming an NFL tight end involves mastering subtle footwork, refining blocking technique against powerful linebackers, and nuanced route-running to leverage size and agility against coverage. Every practice rep aids this progress.
Missing two weeks this spring does not stop his development but creates a temporary gap.
The Broncos will not rush him back. The team is comfortable with Engram and Trautman as foundational pieces. Nate Adkins provides reliable blocking ability, and Krull offers vertical speed to stretch defenses. The room's depth lessens the urgency for Lohner to be ready for mandatory minicamp.
Still, Lohner himself likely values the lost opportunity.
Spring practices mean more than on-field work; they show coaches a player's commitment and grasp of the playbook. For younger players like Lohner, these reps are critical data points in the coaching staff's assessments.
He had earned positive marks this spring before the procedure. Payton's recognition of his improvements reflects that.
Now, sidelined for a short time, Lohner hopes to return in mid-June or early July and instantly regain his rhythm.
Odds are in his favor. This is a pause, not a setback.
When training camp opens--often marked by heated competition and padded practices--Lohner will be ready. He will have the conditioning, playbook knowledge, and the coaching staff's confidence behind him.
In the NFL's cyclical offseason world, every team has players rehabbing procedures, waiting for their moment, and hoping opportunity aligns with health.
For the Broncos and Caleb Lohner, the two weeks of missed spring work are just a brief interlude.
The key is that Lohner will be on the field and competing when it truly matters -- when the games begin.
And for Denver, that prospect is what counts most.