Broncos Wire's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at fifth-year defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, No. 91.
Before the Broncos: Henningsen (6-3, 291 pounds) spent his college career deep in the Midwest, playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. Henningsen played from 2018-21. Following a redshirt freshman season, Henningsen spent five years with the Badgers, totaling 91 tackles (13 behind the line of scrimmage), eight sacks and three fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns). Henningsen earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior, when he recorded a career-high 33 total tackles (13 solo, 20 ******* isted, 5.5 tackles for loss), three sacks and one pass deflection in 2021. He played in 42 games (29 starts) during his time at Wisconsin.
Broncos tenure: Coming off one of his best college season, Henningsen was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round (206th overall) in the 2022 NFL draft. In his rookie season, Henningsen dressed for all 17 games (no starts), but recorded 21 total tackles (eight solo, 13 ******* isted, two tackles for loss), and one sack. In 2023, Henningsen again played in 17 games, totaling 19 tackles (10 solo, nine ******* isted) and two pass deflections. In 2024, Henningsen spent his season on the practice squad and did not appear on the football field. In 2025, Henningsen unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles in a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, ending his season before it even began.
Henningsen was brought back to the Broncos on a one-year deal in 2026.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: On the outside looking in. The past several seasons Henningsen has lost playing time, rather than gained it. In Broncos Wire's way-too-early 53-man roster, Henningsen was victim of one of the tougher cuts. Henningsen could end up back on the practice squad, but it's hard not to notice the abundance of young talent behind him.
Before the Broncos: Henningsen (6-3, 291 pounds) spent his college career deep in the Midwest, playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. Henningsen played from 2018-21. Following a redshirt freshman season, Henningsen spent five years with the Badgers, totaling 91 tackles (13 behind the line of scrimmage), eight sacks and three fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns). Henningsen earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior, when he recorded a career-high 33 total tackles (13 solo, 20 ******* isted, 5.5 tackles for loss), three sacks and one pass deflection in 2021. He played in 42 games (29 starts) during his time at Wisconsin.
Broncos tenure: Coming off one of his best college season, Henningsen was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round (206th overall) in the 2022 NFL draft. In his rookie season, Henningsen dressed for all 17 games (no starts), but recorded 21 total tackles (eight solo, 13 ******* isted, two tackles for loss), and one sack. In 2023, Henningsen again played in 17 games, totaling 19 tackles (10 solo, nine ******* isted) and two pass deflections. In 2024, Henningsen spent his season on the practice squad and did not appear on the football field. In 2025, Henningsen unfortunately suffered a torn Achilles in a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers, ending his season before it even began.
Henningsen was brought back to the Broncos on a one-year deal in 2026.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: On the outside looking in. The past several seasons Henningsen has lost playing time, rather than gained it. In Broncos Wire's way-too-early 53-man roster, Henningsen was victim of one of the tougher cuts. Henningsen could end up back on the practice squad, but it's hard not to notice the abundance of young talent behind him.
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