broncos roster cuts

Revisiting the Broncos’ 53-man roster after the dust settles

After the dust settled following a flurry of roster moves, here’s another look at the Broncos’ 53-man roster.

After setting an initial 53-man roster on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos were not awarded any players off the waiver wire on Wednesday (but they did lose one player). So after sorting through waivers and nearly finalizing their practice squad, the Broncos’ current active roster is unchanged from Tuesday’s initial squad. Here’s a quick recap.

Quarterback (3)

Bo Nix	QB	10
Jarrett Stidham	QB	8
Zach Wilson	QB	4

Perhaps the Broncos could field calls from QB-needy teams during the season. Denver will be able to have three QBs available on game days this fall, but coach Sean Payton will hope there’s never an emergency that calls for more than just one to play.

Running back (4)

Javonte Williams	RB	33
Jaleel McLaughlin	RB	38
Audric Estime	RB	23
Blake Watson	RB	28

The Broncos also signed Tyler Badie to the practice squad, so the backfield depth looks good going into the regular season.

Tight end/fullback (4)

Nate Adkins	FB/TE	45
Greg Dulcich	TE	80
Adam Trautman	TE	82
Lucas Krull	TE	85

Denver will improve its tight end depth when Donald Parham is officially signed to the practice squad.

Wide receiver (5)

Courtland Sutton	WR	14
Marvin Mims	WR	19
Josh Reynolds	WR	11
Troy Franklin	WR	16
Devaughn Vele	WR	81

Tim Patrick went to the Detroit Lions and the Broncos were unable to re-sign Brandon Johnson and Jalen Virgil to the practice squad. Denver did bring back Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Michael Bandy and David Sills on the practice squad.

Offensive line (9)

Mike McGlinchey	OT	69
Garett Bolles	OT	72
Frank Crum	OT	73
Alex Palczewski	OT	63
Matt Peart	T/G	79
Quinn Meinerz	G	77
Ben Powers	G	74
Luke Wattenberg	C/G	60
Alex Forsyth	C/G	54

Denver lost offensive tackle Demontrey Jacobs on the waiver wire on Wednesday. The Broncos did re-sign Will Sherman, Calvin Throckmorton and seventh-round pick Nick Gargiulo to the practice squad.

Defensive line (6)

Zach Allen	DE	99
John Franklin-Myers	DE	98
D.J. Jones	DL	93
Malcolm Roach	DL	97
Eyioma Uwazurike	DL	96
Jordan Jackson	DL	94

Denver’s defensive line depth got even deeper when Jordan Miller and Matt Henningsen re-signed on the practice squad.

Outside linebacker (4)

Baron Browning	OLB	5
Jonathon Cooper	OLB	0
Nik Bonitto	OLB	42
Jonah Elliss	OLB	52

Dondrea Tillman dominated in the UFL this spring and looked good in preseason this summer, and he was a quality addition to the practice squad on Wednesday.

Inside linebacker (4)

Alex Singleton	ILB	49
Cody Barton	ILB	55
Justin Strnad	ILB	40
Levelle Bailey	ILB	56

At the time this post is being written, Jonas Griffith is still deciding which team to join. It’s possible he returns on Denver’s practice squad.

Cornerback (6)

Pat Surtain	CB	2
Ja’Quan McMillian	CB	29
Riley Moss	CB	21
Levi Wallace	CB	39
Kris Abrams-Draine	CB	31
Tremon Smith	CB	1

The Broncos made Reese Taylor one of their first practice squad signings on Wednesday, adding even more depth at the position.

Safety (5)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Devon Key	DB	26
Keidron Smith	DB	43
Brandon Jones	S	22
P.J. Locke	S	6
JL Skinner	S	34

Tanner McCalister is also back on the practice squad.

Special teams (3)

Wil Lutz	K	3
Riley Dixon	P	9
Mitchell Fraboni	LS	48

No surprises on special teams.

Not on the active roster (3)

Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) are on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) is on the short-term injured reserve list. Those three players will not count against the 53-man roster and will be eligible to return after four games.

Bring on the Seattle Seahawks.

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Breaking down the Broncos’ initial 53-man roster

The Broncos have set their (initial) 53-man roster for the 2024 season. Here’s a look at each position group.

After making 30 roster moves on Tuesday, the Denver Broncos have set their initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. Here’s our reaction to the squad with a quick look at each position group.

Quarterback (3)

Bo Nix	QB	10
Jarrett Stidham	QB	8
Zach Wilson	QB	4

Broncos coach Sean Payton wasn’t lying when he said he expected all three QBs to make the team. If other teams get desperate for a backup (or starter) during the season, perhaps Denver could hear from clubs before the in-season trade deadline.

Running back (4)

Javonte Williams	RB	33
Jaleel McLaughlin	RB	38
Audric Estime	RB	37
Blake Watson	RB	43

The top four were easy to predict and there’s a chance Tyler Badie could return on the practice squad. Samaje Perine will likely get picked up elsewhere.

Tight end/fullback (4)

Nate Adkins	FB/TE	45
Greg Dulcich	TE	80
Adam Trautman	TE	82
Lucas Krull	TE	85

Michael Burton was cut, but he’s a candidate to return on the practice squad. Denver might look for tight end depth on the waiver wire.

Wide receiver (5)

Courtland Sutton	WR	14
Marvin Mims	WR	19
Josh Reynolds	WR	11
Troy Franklin	WR	16
Devaughn Vele	WR	81

Tim Patrick was a surprise cut and he quickly landed on his feet with the Detroit Lions. Lil’Jordan Humphrey is a practice squad candidate.

Offensive line (9)

Mike McGlinchey	OT	69
Garett Bolles	OT	72
Frank Crum	OT	73
Alex Palczewski	OT	63
Matt Peart	T/G	79
Quinn Meinerz	G	77
Ben Powers	G	74
Luke Wattenberg	C/G	60
Alex Forsyth	C/G	54

This is a position group that could use some improved depth. Don’t be surprised if the Broncos put in a few claims for offensive linemen.

Defensive line (6)

Zach Allen	DE	99
John Franklin-Myers	DE	98
D.J. Jones	DL	93
Malcolm Roach	DL	97
Eyioma Uwazurike	DL	96
Jordan Jackson	DL	94

Eyioma Uwazurike returned from suspension and immediately made the 53-man roster. Denver has a promising defensive line.

Outside linebacker (4)

Baron Browning	OLB	5
Jonathon Cooper	OLB	0
Nik Bonitto	OLB	42
Jonah Elliss	OLB	52

Dondrea Tillman and Thomas Incoom are likely priority candidates for the practice squad because the Broncos could use more bodies at the position.

Inside linebacker (4)

Alex Singleton	ILB	49
Cody Barton	ILB	55
Justin Strnad	ILB	40
Levelle Bailey	ILB	56

Jonas Griffith was a surprise cut at linebacker, but Levelle Bailey deserved to make the squad. Denver might look to add to the position through waivers.

Cornerback (6)

Pat Surtain	CB	2
Ja’Quan McMillian	CB	29
Riley Moss	CB	21
Levi Wallace	CB	39
Kris Abrams-Draine	CB	31
Tremon Smith	CB	1

After the Broncos placed Damarri Mathis on injured reserve, the rest of the cornerback room was easy to predict.

Safety (5)

Devon Key	DB	26
Keidron Smith	DB	43
Brandon Jones	S	22
P.J. Locke	S	6
JL Skinner	S	34

Even after moving on from Justin Simmons and Caden Sterns this offseason, Denver remains very deep at safety. Keidron Smith was one of the big winners of preseason.

Special teams (3)

Wil Lutz	K	3
Riley Dixon	P	9
Mitchell Fraboni	LS	48

Riley Dixon won the punter job after beating out Trenton Gill this summer.

Not on the active roster (3)

The Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) on the short-term IR list. Those three players will not count against the 53-man roster and will be eligible to return after four games.

Up next: After making waiver claims on Wednesday morning, Denver will begin building a 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the team’s upcoming moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos officially announce 30 moves to reach 53-man roster

The Broncos made 30 transactions on Tuesday to get down to a 53-man roster. Here’s a list of all the moves.

The Denver Broncos officially confirmed 30 transactions on Tuesday after finalizing an initial 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season.

In addition to waiving 19 players and releasing eight veterans, the Broncos also placed two players on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and placed another player on short-term injured reserve.

Here’s the list of every move Denver made on Tuesday:

Broncos placed on reserve/PUP list:

1. LB Drew Sanders
2. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell

Broncos placed on short-term injured reserve:

3. CB Damarri Mathis

Broncos waived with an injury designation:

4. OLB Durrell Nchami

Broncos players released:

5. FB Michael Burton
6. LB Jonas Griffith
7. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
8. OL Sam Mustipher
9. WR Tim Patrick
10. RB Samaje Perine
11. WR David Sills
12. OL Calvin Throckmorton

Broncos players waived:

13. RB Tyler Badie
14. WR Michael Bandy
15. DL Elijah Garcia
16. OL Nick Gargiulo
17. P Trenton Gill
18. DL Matt Henningsen
19. OLB Thomas Incoom
20. OT Demontrey Jacobs
21. WR Brandon Johnson
22. TE Hunter Kampmoyer
23. DB Tanner McCalister
24. DL Jordan Miller
25. DB Quinton Newsome
26. OL Will Sherman
27. CB Reese Taylor
28. OLB Dondrea Tillman
29. WR Jalen Virgil
30. TE Thomas Yassmin

Denver will now hit the waiver wire and consider adding players cut from other teams. After waiver wire claims are processed on Wednesday morning, teams can then build 17-player practice squads. We will track all of the upcoming moves on Broncos Wire.

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Broncos roster cuts tracker: 38 moves on deck

And so it begins. We will track all of the Broncos’ roster cuts on this page.

After wrapping up preseason with a perfect 3-0 record, the Denver Broncos must now trim the 91-player squad down to a 53-man roster.

That means 38 roster moves are on deck for Denver. In addition to cuts, the Broncos could also clear roster space through trades. We will track all of the team’s transactions on this page leading up to Tuesday’s deadline.

1. CB Art Green (source)
2. P Trenton Gill (source)
3. WR Phillip Dorsett (source)
4. DB Kaleb Hayes (source)
5. LB Alec Mock (source)
6. OL Oliver Jervis (source)
7. LB Andre Smith (source)
8. DB Omar Brown (source)
9. DL Angelo Blackson (source)
10. WR Jalen Virgil (source)
11. RB Tyler Badie (source)
12. WR Brandon Johnson (source)
13. CB Reese Taylor (source)
14. WR David Sills (source)
15. TE Thomas Yassmin (source)
16. OLB Dondrea Tillman (source)
17. TE Hunter Kampmoyer (source)
18. OLB Thomas Incoom (source)
19. DL Matt Henningsen (source)
20. LB Jonas Griffith (source)
21. WR Michael Bandy (source)
22. C Sam Mustipher (source)
23. OL Will Sherman (source)
24. OL Nick Garguilo (source)
25. OT Demontrey Jacobs (source)
26. OL Calvin Throckmorton (source)
27. DB Tanner McCalister (source)
28. DB Quinton Newsome (source)
29. DL Elijah Garcia (source)
30. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (per the team)
31. DL Jordan Miller (per the team)
32. FB Michael Burton (per the team)
33. OLB Durrell Nchami (per the team)
34. Tim Patrick (source)
35. RB Samaje Perine (source)

Broncos placed on injured reserve

36. CB Damarri Mathis (source)

Broncos placed on reserve/PUP list

37. LB Drew Sanders (source)
38. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (source)

After finalizing a 53-man roster, Denver can then build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. All of the team’s moves will be tracked on Broncos Wire.

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