Kicking off the second week of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos created a pair of roster vacancies, waiving cornerback Lamar Jackson and releasing outside linebacker Wyatt Ray, the team announced Monday.
Jackson — not to be confused with the star Ravens quarterback — joined Denver's practice squad last November as injuries gripped the secondary. The Nebraska product was promoted to the active roster in December; he made three appearances, notching three tackles and two pass deflections across 41 defensive snaps.
Jackson was deemed expendable following the Broncos' signings of CBs Essang Bassey and Tremon Smith, both primary reserves to penciled-in starters Patrick Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, and K'Waun Williams.
Ray, like Jackson, is a former undrafted defender who landed on Denver's taxi squad toward the end of the 2022 campaign — his ninth team in four years. He finished with one solo tackle.
Ray, who inked a reserve/future deal in January, was buried on the offseason depth chart behind Randy Gregory, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and Jake Martin.
The Broncos have yet to add an OLB amid the league's signing period but did land new starting defensive end Zach Allen on a three-year, $45.75 million pact.
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