Levi Wallace declined spot on Broncos’ practice squad

After being cut from the active roster, ex-Broncos CB Levi Wallace was offered a spot on the practice squad, but he declined.

After being cut by the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve, veteran cornerback Levi Wallace cleared waivers and became a free agent.

Denver offered Wallace a spot on the practice squad, according to a report from the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson, but the cornerback declined to return to the team.

Wallace, who had a visit with the Indianapolis Colts, remains a free agent.

The Broncos cut Wallace from the active roster because the team needed to do some roster juggling to prevent other teams from poaching practice squad players, including running back Blake Watson.

“It’s never an easy decision,” Payton said after cutting Wallace in late December. “Hopefully we’ll see how it goes, and we’re able to get him back. Basically, you’re trying to protect your roster at certain positions. I would say Kris Abrams-Draine [and] some of those guys have been really stepping up.

“Again, keeping a young player like Blake Watson that others are trying to — this is the time of the year where some of the teams that are maybe out of it are trying to improve looking to the future. It’s always difficult. It’s roster management though, and that’s hard.”

The Broncos promoted Watson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster after waiving Wallace.

Wallace started in the place of an injured Riley Moss in Week 13 and he had, in his own words, the worst game of his life. He was then inactive for the team’s next two games before being cut.

Denver now has six cornerbacks remaining on the 53-man roster: Pat Surtain, Riley Moss, Ja’Quan McMillian, Kris Abrams-Draine, Damarri Mathis and Tremon Smith.

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Broncos’ updated 17-player practice squad with new OL

After adding OL Will Sherman, the Broncos have updated their 17-player practice squad.

The Denver Broncos made one addition to their practice squad this week.

After promoting running back Blake Watson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and waiving cornerback Levi Wallace in late December, the Broncos had room to add another player to the practice squad.

Wallace cleared waivers, but he did not re-sign with Denver, so the team instead signed offensive lineman Will Sherman to the practice squad this week.

The NFL’s standard practice squad size limit is 16 players, but there’s an exception that allows an extra international player to not count against the limit. For Denver, Australian tight end Thomas Yassmin is an exception, giving the Broncos a 17-player practice squad.

So here’s the full list of 17 players on the squad after the recent moves.

Broncos 17-player practice squad

  1. WR Michael Bandy
  2. WR David Sills
  3. WR A.T. Perry
  4. TE Donald Parham
  5. TE Thomas Yassmin
  6. OT Cam Fleming
  7. OL Nick Garguilo
  8. OL Calvin Throckmorton
  9. OL Will Sherman
  10. DT Jordan Miller
  11. DL Matt Henningsen
  12. OLB Andrew Farmer
  13. LB K.J. Cloyd
  14. CB Reese Taylor
  15. DB Quinton Newsome
  16. DB Tanner McCalister
  17. DB Keidron Smith 

Two players can be elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week.

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Broncos sign offensive lineman to practice squad

The Broncos have signed offensive lineman Will Sherman to their practice squad.

The Denver Broncos signed offensive lineman Will Sherman to their practice squad on Monday, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

The Broncos had an open spot on the practice squad after promoting running back Blake Watson to the active roster on Christmas Eve to prevent him from being poached by another team.

To make room for Watson on the 53-man roster, Denver waived veteran cornerback Levi Wallace. Broncos coach Sean Payton indicated that the team wanted to re-sign Wallace to the practice squad, but after clearing waivers, Wallace did not return to the team (he remains a free agent).

With Wallace apparently not returning, Denver has now filled the practice squad spot by bringing back Sherman, who started the 2024 season on their practice squad. After suffering an injury, Sherman reached an injury settlement with the Broncos and his contract was terminated in October.

The 25-year-old lineman is now healthy and back in Denver.

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Broncos’ depth chart for Sunday’s game vs. Chiefs

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart going into Sunday’s game against the Chiefs.

The Denver Broncos are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season. If the Broncos win their regular season finale, they will clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

Here’s a look the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into Sunday’s showdown with the Chiefs.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV broadcast map). The Broncos are considered favorites at home.

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Colts host cornerback recently cut by Broncos for free agent visit

After being cut by the Broncos, cornerback Levi Wallace had a free agent visit with the Colts.

After being waived by the Denver Broncos last week, veteran cornerback Levi Wallace visited the Indianapolis Colts this week, according to the NFL’s transaction wire.

Wallace left Indianapolis without a deal and he is “not expected” to sign with the Colts, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

Broncos coach Sean Payton indicated last week that Denver wanted to re-sign Wallace to the practice squad if he cleared waivers. Wallace cleared waivers and became a free agent, but he has not returned to the Broncos, at least not yet.

“He has a decision to make on his part and I wish him the best,” Denver defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers said of Wallace, via Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “He has to go through his process. … When it’s time, he’ll make his decision.”

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, the Carolina Panthers promoted running Mike Boone back from the practice squad and elevated defensive lineman DeShawn Williams. Elsewhere, the Indianapolis Colts worked out cornerbacks Faion Hicks and Michael Ojemudia.

The New York Giants activated offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann from injured reserve, the Atlanta Falcons elevated cornerback Lamar Jackson, and the Kansas City Chiefs released receiver/Montrell Washington from the practice squad.

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Broncos’ updated depth chart for Saturday’s game vs. Bengals

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart going into Saturday’s game against the Bengals.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 17 in a game with massive playoff implications in the AFC.

The most notable changes this week are cornerback Levi Wallace getting cut from the active roster and running back Blake Watson getting promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Following those two transactions, here’s a look the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into Saturday’s showdown with the Bengals.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin David Sills
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach Matt Henningsen
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Saturday’s game will be televised on NFL Network. The Broncos are one win (or tie) away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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Recapping the roster moves Broncos made ahead of Bengals game

The Broncos did some roster shuffling ahead of their game against the Bengals.

Story update: After this post was published, the Broncos ruled out RB Tyler Badie (back) for Week 17 and elevated wide receiver David Sills from the practice squad to the game-day roster. See our original post below.


The Denver Broncos made a few transactions leading up to Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The moves started on Tuesday when the Broncos waived veteran cornerback Levi Wallace from the active roster. That cut was made to make room for running back Blake Watson to be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Elsewhere at running back, Tyler Badie (back) was designated to return from injured reserve on Tuesday. Badie now has a 21-day window to be activated from IR to the 53-man roster.

Wallace has since cleared waivers and is now a free agent. It remains to be seen if he will return on the practice squad.

More moves could be on the way for Denver later this week. The Broncos might not be done shuffling the practice squad, and two practice squad players can be elevated to the game-day roster each week.

With more moves potentially still on the way, here’s the quick list of transactions Denver has made so far ahead of the Bengals game.

Broncos roster moves

  1. Cut CB Levi Wallace from active roster
  2. Promoted RB Blake Watson to active roster
  3. Designated RB Tyler Badie to return from IR

Saturday’s game will be televised on NFL Network. The Broncos need one more win (or tie) to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

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Broncos’ updated depth chart for Saturday’s game vs. Bengals

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ depth chart going into Saturday’s game against the Bengals.

The Denver Broncos are set to face the Cincinnati Bengals on the road in Week 17 in a game with massive playoff implications in the AFC.

The most notable changes this week are cornerback Levi Wallace getting cut from the active roster and running back Blake Watson getting promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Following those two transactions, here’s a look the Broncos’ updated depth chart going into Saturday’s showdown with the Bengals.

Broncos offensive depth chart

WR Marvin Mims Troy Franklin
LT Garett Bolles Matt Peart
LG Ben Powers
C Luke Wattenberg Alex Forsyth
RG Quinn Meinerz Alex Palczewski
RT Mike McGlinchey Frank Crum
TE Adam Trautman Lucas Krull
WR Courtland Sutton Lil’Jordan Humphrey Devaughn Vele
RB Javonte Williams Jaleel McLaughlin Audric Estime Blake Watson
FB Michael Burton Nate Adkins
QB Bo Nix Jarrett Stidham Zach Wilson

Broncos defensive depth chart

DE Zach Allen Jordan Jackson
NT D.J. Jones Malcolm Roach
DE John Franklin-Myers Eyioma Uwazurike
SLB Jonathon Cooper Jonah Elliss Drew Sanders
WLB Nik Bonitto Dondrea Tillman
ILB Justin Strnad Zach Cunningham
ILB Cody Barton Levelle Bailey
LCB Pat Surtain Tremon Smith
RCB Riley Moss Damarri Mathis Kris Abrams-Draine
NCB Ja’Quan McMillian
S P.J. Locke JL Skinner
S Brandon Jones Devon Key

Broncos special teams depth chart

PK Wil Lutz
KO Wil Lutz
P Riley Dixon
H Riley Dixon
LS Mitchell Fraboni
KR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith Jaleel McLaughlin
PR Marvin Mims Tremon Smith

Saturday’s game will be televised on NFL Network. The Broncos are one win away from clinching a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs.

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Broncos waive cornerback Levi Wallace

The Denver Broncos cut veteran cornerback Levi Wallace from the 53-man roster on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos have waived veteran cornerback Levi Wallace, coach Sean Payton announced Tuesday.

Wallace was cut to make room for running back Blake Watson to be promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Payton indicated that the team would like to re-sign Wallace to the practice squad.

Wallace (6-0, 179 pounds) signed a one-year contract with the Broncos in April. He started in the place of an injured Riley Moss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13 and he had, by his own admission, the worst game of his life. Wallace was then inactive for the team’s next two games.

With Kris Abrams-Draine playing well and Moss getting closer to return, Wallace apparently became expendable. If he clears waivers, Wallace could return on the practice squad following Watson’s elevation.

Wallace totaled 28 tackles and two pass breakups in 13 games with the Broncos this season. The 29-year-old cornerback will now hit the waiver wire.

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Broncos PFF grades: Best, worst players from 34-27 loss to Chargers

Broncos CB Kris Abrams-Draine (75.6) impressed again while LB Justin Strnad (28.7) had a night to forget. View more PFF grades here.

Following the Denver Broncos‘ 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Pro Football Focus has released grades for each player’s Week 16 performance.

PFF grades players on a 0 (worst) to 100 (best) scale. Check out the best and worst of Week 16 below.

Best Offensive Players 

  • TE/FB Nate Adkins: 79.7
  • FB Michael Burton: 75.3
  • RB Audric Estime: 74.1
  • G Quinn Meinerz: 73. 6
  • RB Blake Watson: 70.6

Adkins and Burton did a good job opening up running lanes and Estime impressed, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. RB Javonte Williams (67.3) received the sixth-best grade on offense after averaging 6.0 yards per tote. Denver should have been more committed to the run.

Best Defensive Players 

  • DL Malcolm Roach 84.9
  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine: 75.6
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike: 75.5
  • DL D.J. Jones: 74.6
  • LB Drew Sanders: 73.4

One defensive snap, one sack for Sanders. Perhaps we’ll see more of him in the final two games of the regular season. Abrams-Draine, meanwhile, continues to look like a fifth-round gem.

Worst Offensive Players 

  • G Ben Powers: 42.3
  • OT Mike McGlinchey: 47.2
  • OL Matt Peart: 50.3
  • TE Adam Trautman: 52.2
  • WR Troy Franklin: 56.1

Franklin continues to struggle to make an impact. QB Bo Nix (62.6) ranked 11th among Denver’s 19 graded players on offense.

Worst Defensive Players 

  • LB Justin Strnad: 28.7
  • LB Cody Barton: 34.6
  • DB P.J. Locke: 43.7
  • DL John Franklin-Myers: 45.4
  • OLB Jonathan Cooper: 47.5

Strnad had a night to forget. In addition to his foul against a sliding Justin Herbert, the linebacker also allowed seven catches for 103 yards on eight coverage targets. The Broncos will need to make upgrading the inside linebacker position a priority in 2025.

Special Teams 

  • ST JL Skinner: 71.9
  • LS Mitchell Fraboni: 64.8
  • R Marvin Mims: 61.2
  • K Wil Lutz: 73.5 (FG) 60.0 (KO)
  • P Riley Dixon: 67.5

You can view grades for every player on the paid version of PFF’s website.

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