Tag: roster cuts

Broncos make first of several roster moves on deck this week

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday. More roster moves are on deck this week.

The Denver Broncos have made the first of at least two roster moves on deck this week ahead of their game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The Broncos waived safety Keidron Smith on Tuesday, the team announced. Smith (6-2, 210 pounds) is a 25-year-old defensive back who made the 53-man roster after impressing during preseason this summer. He dressed for eight games this fall, totaling six tackles. Smith played 11 snaps on defense and 107 snaps on special teams before being waived.

Denver now has four safeties remaining on the active roster: Brandon Jones, P.J. Locke, Devon Key and JL Skinner. Delarrin Turner-Yell is currently on the physically unable to perform list, but he returned to practice last week. Turner-Yell will have one more week of eligibility to return to the 53-man roster.

Broncos fullback Michael Burton and linebacker Kwon Alexander are both out of practice squad elevations, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of them promoted to the active roster to take Smith’s old spot. If he clears waivers, Denver will undoubtedly attempt to re-sign Smith to the practice squad.

In addition to Burton, Alexander and Turner-Yell, wide receiver Josh Reynolds (finger), linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) and running back Tyler Badie (back) are also candidates to return to the 53-man roster in the coming weeks. Denver will have to make room for the returning players, and Smith was the first domino to fall.

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Recapping the roster moves Broncos made ahead of Chiefs game

Broncos C Luke Wattenberg was activated from IR and FB Michael Burton and LB Zach Cunningham were elevated to the game-day roster.

The Denver Broncos made a few roster moves leading up to Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The first domino fell on Monday when the Broncos traded pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. To fill Browning’s old spot on the active roster, Denver activated center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster on Saturday.

Additionally, Denver elevated fullback Michael Burton and linebacker Zach Cunningham from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 10. Burton and Cunningham will revert back to the practice squad on Monday.

Broncos roster moves

  1. Traded OLB Baron Browning to Cardinals
  2. Activated C Luke Wattenberg to 53-man roster
  3. Promoted FB Michael Burton to game-day roster
  4. Promoted LB Zach Cunningham to game-day roster

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). Playing at home, KC is considered a heavy favorite against the Broncos.

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Drew Sanders’ returns will complicate Broncos’ roster decisions

Drew Sanders is one of seven players who could soon return to the Broncos’ 53-man roster, and Denver will have to make room on the squad.

The Denver Broncos are going to have some tough roster decisions to make in the coming days.

Broncos linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) returned to practice on Wednesday, starting his 21-day window to return from the physically unable to perform list. There’s no guarantee Sanders will be activated to the 53-man roster in time for Sunday’s game, but he will likely return to the active roster within the next three weeks.

Sanders is one of seven players who could soon return to the 53-man roster, which will create some tough decisions for Denver’s staff. Not everyone will return at the same time — and other players could go on IR in the coming weeks — but the roster juggling will start soon for the Broncos.

“l am [excited],” coach Sean Payton said of getting players back from injuries. “All of these guys… Reentry for a veteran player, it just depends on the injury, the player and the position, but absolutely [excited about] having these guys get healthy because it’s week-to-week.

“This upcoming Monday after the game, they’ll be a curve ball, there always is [with injuries]. Being healthier, having more depth can help you, but it’s good to have those guys back out there.”

Payton later noted creating spots for players returning from injuries is “always a challenge” and “a little bit of a puzzle.”

The puzzle pieces will likely begin falling into place this weekend. Denver linebacker Kwon Alexander is out of practice squad elevations, so he will likely be promoted to the 53-man roster. Broncos center Luke Wattenberg is eligible to return from injured reserve this week, too.

Denver has one open spot on the active roster after trading pass rusher Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos will probably have to create at least one more roster spot this week. Stay tuned.

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Predicting 14 roster moves Broncos could make in second half of season

The Broncos have seven players who could be returning to the 53-man roster soon. Here’s how they could make room for them.

The Denver Broncos could be getting a flurry of reinforcements in the coming weeks.

Broncos wide receiver Josh Reynolds (hand) and center Luke Wattenberg (ankle) are now eligible to return from injured reserve, safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) returned to practice last week and linebacker Drew Sanders (Achilles) is “close to returning.” His timeline is uncertain, but running back Tyler Badie (back) is also eligible to return from IR.

Meanwhile, linebacker Kwon Alexander is out of practice squad elevations and coach Sean Payton hinted last week that Alexander will eventually end up on the 53-man roster. Denver also bumped fullback Michael Burton down to the practice squad last week. Burton can be elevated one more time. After that, he will likely be a candidate to return to the active roster as well.

Reynolds, Alexander and Wattenberg are presumably candidates to all return to the 53-man roster this week. Sanders, Burton, Turner-Yell and Badie might also return at some point in the future.

The Broncos don’t have to make room for all of them right away — new injuries could open spots in the coming weeks — but the team will have to make some roster decisions, soon.

Denver opened up one spot by trading outside linebacker Baron Browning to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The Broncos could open another spot by bumping offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton down to the practice squad.

Denver could open three more spots if they traded tight end Greg Dulcich, cornerback Damarri Mathis and quarterback Zach Wilson ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. If they aren’t traded, Dulcich and Mathis might be candidates to attempt to get down to the practice squad. And given Payton’s recent frustrations with the team’s receivers, even Lil’Jordan Humphrey could be in danger of losing his spot on the active roster.

So with as many as seven players potentially returning to the active roster in the second half of the season, here are predictions on how the Broncos could make room for them. Keep in mind that these are projections — this is not a report of what the team will do. Rather, it’s a projection of what the team could do.

  1. WR Josh Reynolds activated from IR
  2. OLB Baron Browning traded (confirmed)
  3. C Luke Wattenberg activated from IR
  4. OL Calvin Throckmorton cut from 53
  5. LB Kwon Alexander promoted to 53
  6. TE Greg Dulcich traded or cut
  7. LB Drew Sanders activated from PUP
  8. CB Damarri Mathis traded or cut
  9. FB Michael Burton activated to 53
  10. QB Zach Wilson traded
  11. DB Delarrin Turner-Yell activated from IR
  12. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey demoted to PS
  13. RB Tyler Badie activated from IR
  14. Future player placed on IR

Denver seems likely to make at least a few moves this week. Stay tuned.

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Broncos cut player from offense ahead of Ravens game

The Broncos cut FB Michael Burton from the 53-man roster on Friday. He’s expected to return on the practice squad.

Story update: The Broncos re-signed Mike Burton to the practice squad on Saturday. He was then elevated from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 9. See our original post below.

The Denver Broncos have released fullback Michael Burton ahead of their game against the Baltimore Ravens, according to the NFL’s transaction wire (via multiple reports).

Burton, 32, is a vested veteran, so he’ll become a free agent immediately without having to clear the waiver wire. The Broncos plan to re-sign him to the practice squad, presumably on Saturday.

Denver needed to open up a spot on the active roster for offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton, who was out of practice squad elevations. Throckmorton was promoted to the 53-man roster on Friday and he will serve as the team’s backup center against the Ravens on Sunday.

Burton started the season on Denver’s practice squad and he was elevated to the game-day roster in Week 1. He is also expected to be elevated this week. The fullback would then be eligible to be elevated one more time this season.

NFL teams can elevate two players from the practice squad each week, but each player is limited to three elevations per season.

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Recapping the 11 roster moves Broncos made before ‘TNF’

The Broncos activated three players from IR and elevated two practice squad players ahead of their TNF showdown with the Saints.

The Denver Broncos had a busy week of transactions leading up to their Thursday Night Football clash with the New Orleans Saints today.

The moves started on Monday when the Broncos released wide receiver Kaden Davis (pictured above) from the practice squad and filled his former spot by re-signing defensive back Quinton Newsome.

After that, Denver cut linebacker Kristian Welch and defensive back Tanner McCalister from the active roster on Tuesday. One day later, Welch signed with the Baltimore Ravens and McCalister re-signed on the Broncos’ practice squad today.

The moves continued on Thursday when Denver activated outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot), right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) from injured reserve to the 53-man roster.

The Broncos also elevated linebacker Kwon Alexander and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton from the practice squad to the game-day roster for Week 7. Finally, Denver also waived running back Blake Watson.

View a recap of all the team’s moves this week below.

Broncos roster moves ahead of TNF

1. WR Kaden Davis cut from practice squad

2. DB Quinton Newsome signed to practice squad

3. LB Kristian Welch cut from active roster

4. DB Tanner McCalister cut from active roster

5. DB Tanner McCalister signed to practice squad

6. OLB Baron Browning activated from IR

7. OT Mike McGlinchey activated from IR

8. CB Damarri Mathis activated from IR

9. RB Blake Watson cut from active roster

10. LB Kwon Alexander elevated from PS

11. OL Calvin Throckmorton elevated from PS

The Broncos’ game against the Saints will be streamed exclusively on Amazon’s Prime Video. Playing on the road, Denver is considered a slight underdog in Week 7.

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Broncos cut 2 players from active roster on Tuesday

The Broncos cut LB Kristian Welch and DB Tanner McCalister from the active roster on Tuesday.

The Denver Broncos cut two players from their active roster on Tuesday, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.

The Broncos released inside linebacker Kristian Welch and waived safety Tanner McCalister from the 53-man roster. Both players could be potential candidates to return on the practice squad.

Welch signed with Denver on Aug. 29. He played in the first six games of the season, earning one start. He played 97 snaps on special teams and 36 snaps on defense over the last six weeks.

McCalister joined the Broncos in January and he dressed for three games this season, playing exclusively on special teams (54 snaps).

Denver opening up two spots on the active roster might mean that two players are on the verge of returning from injured reserve. Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey (MCL), outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) and cornerback Damarri Mathis (ankle) are all eligible to return from IR this week.

Denver will face the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football on Oct. 17.

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Broncos’ 53-man roster for Sunday’s game vs. Jets

This is what the Broncos’ 53-man roster looks like going into Sunday’s game against the Jets.

The Denver Broncos placed linebacker Alex Singleton on injured reserve last week, ruling him out for the rest of the 2024 NFL season.

To fill Singleton’s former spot on the active roster, the Broncos promoted running back Tyler Badie from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Denver also signed two linebackers to the practice squad.

NFL teams can also elevate two players from the practice squad each week. This week, Denver elevated linebacker Levelle Bailey and defensive back Tanner McCalister.

Following those moves, here’s a look at Denver’s updated 53-man roster for their Week 4 showdown with the New York Jets on Sunday.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Blake Watson 25
RB Tyler Badie 28
FB Michael Burton  20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Greg Dulcich 80
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Josh Reynolds 11
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Luke Wattenberg 60
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Kristian Welch 57
ILB Levelle Bailey 56
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
DB Devon Key 26
DB Keidron Smith 43
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
DB Tanner McCalister 30
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract. Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS.

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Broncos’ updated 53-man roster after placing Alex Singleton on IR

After losing Alex Singleton to a torn ACL, the Broncos added Tyler Badie to the active roster. Here’s a look at the updated 53-man roster.

The Denver Broncos placed linebacker Alex Singleton on injured reserve on Wednesday, ruling him out for the rest of the 2024 NFL season.

To fill Singleton’s former spot on the active roster, the Broncos promoted running back Tyler Badie from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Denver also signed two linebackers to the practice squad.

Following those moves, here’s a look at Denver’s updated 53-man roster ahead of their Week 4 showdown with the New York Jets.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Blake Watson 25
RB Tyler Badie 28
FB Michael Burton  20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Greg Dulcich 80
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Josh Reynolds 11
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Luke Wattenberg 60
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Kristian Welch 57
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
DB Devon Key 26
DB Keidron Smith 43
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and a 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract. The team can elevate two players from the practice squad to the game-day roster each week.

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Broncos’ 53-man roster for Sunday’s game vs. Buccaneers

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ 53-man roster ahead of today’s game against the Buccaneers.

After making several transactions last week, the Denver Broncos have updated their 53-man roster ahead of a Week 3 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

First, the Broncos placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (knee) on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games. Denver then promoted pass rusher Dondrea Tillman from the practice squad to the active roster.

The Broncos filled Tillman’s old spot on the practice squad by signing pass rusher Andrew Farmer. Denver later added outside linebacker Baron Browning (foot) to the IR list, ruling him out at least four weeks. To fill Browning’s old spot, the Broncos promoted wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad.

Following those moves, here’s a look at Denver’s updated 53-man roster for Week 3.

Denver Broncos 53-man roster

Position Name Number
QB Bo Nix 10
QB Jarrett Stidham 8
QB Zach Wilson 4
RB Javonte Williams 33
RB Jaleel McLaughlin 38
RB Blake Watson 25
RB Tyler Badie 28
FB Michael Burton  20
FB/TE Nate Adkins 45
TE Greg Dulcich 80
TE Adam Trautman 82
TE Lucas Krull 85
WR Courtland Sutton 14
WR Marvin Mims 19
WR Josh Reynolds 11
WR Troy Franklin 16
WR Devaughn Vele 17
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey 84
OT Garett Bolles 72
OT Frank Crum 73
OT Alex Palczewski 63
OL Matt Peart 79
G/C Quinn Meinerz 77
G Ben Powers 74
C/G Luke Wattenberg 60
C/G Alex Forsyth 54
DE Zach Allen 99
DE John Franklin-Myers 98
DL D.J. Jones 93
DL Malcolm Roach 97
DL Eyioma Uwazurike 96
DL Jordan Jackson 94
OLB Jonathon Cooper 0
OLB Nik Bonitto 15
OLB Jonah Elliss 52
OLB Dondrea Tillman 92
ILB Alex Singleton 49
ILB Cody Barton 55
ILB Justin Strnad 40
ILB Kristian Welch 57
CB Pat Surtain 2
CB Ja’Quan McMillian 29
CB Riley Moss 21
CB Levi Wallace 39
CB Kris Abrams-Draine 31
CB Tremon Smith 1
DB Devon Key 26
DB Keidron Smith 43
S Brandon Jones 22
S P.J. Locke 6
S JL Skinner 34
S Tanner McCalister  30
K Wil Lutz 3
P Riley Dixon 9
LS Mitchell Fraboni 48

With a 53-man roster and 17-player practice squad, Denver has 70 players under contract. The Broncos have back-to-back road games on their schedule with the Bucs on deck followed by the New York Jets.

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