Matt Henningsen

Defensive End · Wisconsin

A Wisconsin sixth-round pick and academic All-American working his way back from a season-ending Achilles injury.

Matt Henningsen built a reputation at Wisconsin as much for his intelligence as his play on the field, and he has spent his Broncos career as a rotational piece on the defensive line. A torn Achilles wiped out his 2025 season, but he remains part of Denver's plans up front.

★ Two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American at Wisconsin

★ National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete (2021)

★ 17 games played, 19 tackles in his 2023 Broncos season

Path to the league

Henningsen played 42 games with 29 starts at Wisconsin, recording 89 tackles and eight sacks, and was twice named to the CoSIDA Academic All-American first team while also earning National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete honors in 2021. Denver drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, No. 206 overall, via a trade with Tampa Bay.

Career highlights

Henningsen appeared in 34 games across his first two NFL seasons, totaling 40 tackles and a sack, then played all 17 games in 2023 with 19 tackles and two passes defensed as a full-time rotational lineman on Denver's defensive front.

2025 season recap

Henningsen tore his Achilles during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers in the summer of 2025 and was ruled out for the entire season. He had re-signed with Denver on a reserve/futures contract that January but did not appear in a single game as a result of the injury.