Broncos Waive K Elliott Fry with Injury Settlement

The Denver Broncos waived kicker Elliott Fry from injured reserve with an injury settlement, per Tuesday's NFL transaction wire. Fry reverted to the team's IR list on Aug. 16 after initially being designated as waived/injured.

The first-year specialist had been dealing with what Broncos coach Sean Payton termed a muscle pull that's "nothing significant."

He of five career field goals, Fry joined the Broncos in May following the release of longtime K Brandon McManus. The former undrafted free agent appeared in the club's preseason opener at Arizona, during which he went one-for-two — making from 55, missing from 50 — while converting his lone extra-point try.

Fry's departure leaves veteran Brett Maher as the only kicker on Denver's roster. Maher was similarly shaky against the Cardinals, shanking one FG attempt and having another blocked. The outing prompted Payton to imply the Broncos could add further competition in the not-so-distant future.

"He’s competing with himself because he’s got 31 other teams," Payton said of Maher on Aug. 15. "There are probably seven teams that have a real kicking battle, so he’s competing with those guys that come out of those clubs. That doesn’t discount us, possibly, if we wanted to bring in another player.”

Maher, however, rebounded in last week's exhibition contest against the San Francisco 49ers — perfect on both FGs (2-for-2) and XPs (2-for-2). Payton said Tuesday the kicking game was "outstanding," seemingly suggesting that Maher tightened his grip on the job.

For now, anyway.