They sent him back to the practice squad so their not apparently worried about another team snagging him.
It was a formality. He was called up from the practice squad to replace an injured player and be active the last two Sundays. When this happens, the player automatically reverts to the practice squad following the game.
We'll find out the real deal this weekend. If he gets called up again (and after his production, Payton's comments about special packages, the joker role and increased opportunity, fans would absolutely lose their **** Badie isn't called up again Sunday), the Broncos will be required to sign Badie to the 53 if he's called up a 3rd time.
If/when this happens, you'll start to see a lot of pieces on the board being shifted around in the Denver RB room. I believe Watson will be cut and hopefully added to the practice squad until Estime gets back. But, with him not due back for at least another 3 weeks, Williams is the only big body on the team and they'll probably keep him around for a little while longer. Once Estime gets back, if Williams hasn't shown out, he's gone IMHO.
Estime hasn't looked great since coming to Denver, but I believe he'll better than Williams. He needs to get used to the speed of the NFL and hit holes a little harder but ironically, the run he got hurt on was possibly his best as a Bronco. He hit the hole like a bat out of hell, but decided to try to hurdle a defender instead of running him over. Not only did he fumble, he got hurt.
Badie Badie Badie