NFL: Nigerian defender, Ndubuisi, faces Broncos test in offseason

Nigerian defensive lineman, Chisom Ndubuisi, will be tested during the Denver Broncos training camp this summer.

Earlier in the offseason, the NFL allocated Ndubuisi to the Denver Broncos as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme.

As part of the programme, the 22-year-old Nigerian lineman will not count towards the 90-man offseason roster limit this summer.

Ndubuisi looked as good as a defensive lineman can in spring practices, but the real test will come when Denver puts on pads later this summer.

Head coach, Sean Payton, said after organised team activities wrapped up last week that Ndubuisi has looked good so far, but his real opportunity will come during training camp.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said on June 8. “The biggest challenge (is that) no one’s got shoulder pads on or anything yet. He looks good.

“He’s smart and I like him. I like that we have him. I think it’ll be easier for me to answer that question seven days into training camp because they’re the ones that are challenged with this type of practice.

“One guy is in charge of the ‘A’ gap on defense, and there’s an offensive lineman in charge of the ‘A’ gap. There has to be somebody acquiescing. That will sort out once we get the pads on.”

If he passes the test in pads and ends up making the team, Ndubuisi will count against the 53-man roster this season. In the meantime, he had some security at least for the summer.