(Photo credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)

Denver signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis to its practice squad on Wednesday, opening up an opportunity for the 41-year-old to make Broncos and NFL history.

Should Lewis be elevated to the game-day roster and play, he would be the oldest player to take the field for the Broncos, beating the record set when Peyton Manning played in Super Bowl 50 at age 39.

Lewis would also be the oldest tight end to play in the Super Bowl era, per ESPN.

'I knew he'd been training, I know he's in great shape and he's a tremendous blocker,' Broncos coach Sean Payton told reporters. 'We brought him in for a workout, brought him onto our practice squad. I'm glad he's here.

'I think when he's 55, he's gonna be able to block the D-gap.'

The Broncos added Lewis after losing fellow tight end Nate Adkins to a knee injury in Sunday's 44-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Denver is also without Lucas Krull, who is on injured reserve with a broken foot.

Lewis, the only remaining active player from the 2006 draft class, most recently played all 17 games in each of the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He said in May he expected to retire after this season.

'Mentally, I'm going into it saying this is going to be my last year,' Lewis told 'Up & Adams' host Kay Adams in May. 'Obviously to have 19 amazing years and the journey's been great.'

Lewis ranks first all-time among tight ends in career games played (285). He surpassed Jason Witten (271) and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (270) last season, during which he had one catch for 2 yards.

A first-round pick by Jacksonville in 2006, Lewis has 437 career catches for 5,115 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Jaguars (2006-17), Green Bay Packers (2018-22) and Bears. He made the Pro Bowl in 2010.

Lewis could play as soon as Sunday's matchup against the Texans (3-4) in Houston. The Broncos (6-2) stand atop the NFC West.

--Field Level Media