This weekend was not exactly the happiest for former Nebraska football stars, but one player who didn't make the 53-man roster on Sunday gets another chance to impress the Denver Broncos.
Former Kentucky and Nebraska wide receiver Dane Key signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent but didn't quite have a good enough preseason to convince head coach Sean Payton that he deserved a roster spot. However, Key did do enough that Payton decided he should be on the team's practice squad.
The Broncos added the ex-Nebraska star on Monday afternoon, along with 16 other players who will make up the team's practice squad for the season opener in September.
Former Nebraska football standout Dane Key gets another opportunity with Broncos
Key was one of three receivers to get added to Denver's practice squad and the rest of the 17-man group leaned heavily into the offensive side of things:
- OL Calvin Throckmorton
- LS Mitchell Fraboni
- TE Lucas Krull
- S Miles Scott
- LB Red Murdock
- RB Coby Schrader
- WR Michael Bandy
- WR Kolbe Katsis
- WR Dane Key
- OT Tyler Miller
- OL Gavin Ortega
- OLB Johnny Walker
- CB Brent Austin
- DB Sean Fresch Jr.
- LS Luke Basso
- FB Adam Prentice
Key came to Nebraska through the Transfer Portal in 2025, and while he didn't put up monster numbers with the Huskers, the wide receiver was often cited as a dependable leader, like another coach on the field.
On the whole, he posted a solid if unspectacular 2025 season in Lincoln, catching 39 passes for 452 yards and 5 touchdowns. The receptions and yards were a definite drop from his best days with the Kentucky Wildcats; his TDs were among the most he had in one season and were tied for the team lead with Nyziah Hunter and Jacory Barney Jr.
This preseason, Key had just 3 catches for 52 yards. The writing was on the wall for the former Nebraska wide receiver that he likely wouldn't make the cut when the Broncos were saying goodbye to enough players to get down to 53 on the official roster. However, he got the call he'd been hoping for on Monday and will rejoin his older brother, Devon Key, who had established himself as an All-Pro special teams player and safety.
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