The long and winding road to recovery for Broncos tight end Jake Butt has hit another hurdle.
Butt, who missed the last 13 games of the 2018 campaign after tearing his ACL and subsequently undergoing a third ACL surgery, will undergo a minor procedure after experiencing soreness in his left knee, NFL Network's James Palmer reported on Wednesday.
In mid-July, Butt's road back appeared to be on schedule, if not a little ahead, but it has now been slowed.
It's ever worse news for Butt considering the Broncos selected tight end Noah Fant in the first round. Fant, who recently returned to practice after sustaining an ankle injury in preseason play, and Jeff Heuerman, who took over as starter last year when Butt went down, were already slated to get rips ahead of Butt.
Here are other news items we're following on Wednesday.
- The New York Jets agreed to trade for cornerback Nate Hairston, per a physical, from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2020 sixth-round pick (the Jets' second sixth-round selection), the team announced on Wednesday. In two seasons, Hairston started 11 games and played in 27 for Indy.
- San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon had what one source described as a "flare-up" Tuesday in his surgically repaired knee, Pelissero reported. The team is now gathering more information before deciding next steps, Pelissero added. Per KNPR's Brian Murphy, general manager John Lynch said on the radio the setback was "not encouraging."
McKinnon missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
- Undrafted free agent running back James Williams has now been signed by a third NFL squad as the Detroit Lions announced they signed the versatile rookie on Wednesday. A statistical standout, particularly in the pass-catching department, at Washington State, Williams was signed after the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, who released him, and then the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 20, who also released him shortly thereafter.
- The Philadelphia Eagles are signing undrafted free agent right tackle Riley Mayfield, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- The Seattle Seahawks remain cautiously optimistic that rookie receiver D.K. Metcalf will be available for the season opener. Metcalf underwent a knee procedure Aug. 20, but coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Metcalf is already running on turf, per ESPN.com.
The Seahawks also announced they waived rookie defensive tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli on Wednesday.
