Broncos place veteran FB on season-ending IR amid roster cuts

The Denver Broncos continued their (mostly) ongoing streak of UDFA rookies making the active roster. Linebacker Karene Reid has made the 53-man roster, marking the 21st time in the past 22 years that a college free agent has made the Broncos as a first-year player.

The rest of the team’s moves:

Released:

• QB Sam Ehlinger
• S Sam Franklin
• FB Adam Prentice
• G Calvin Throckmorton
• LB Garret Wallow

Waived:

• LB Levelle Bailey
• WR Michael Bandy
• OT Marques Cox
• RB Audric Estime
• WR Courtney Jackson
• TE Caleb Lohner
• CB Damarri Mathis
• C Joe Michalski
• NT Jordan Miller
• LB Garrett Nelson
• CB Quinton Newsome
• WR Jerjuan Newton
• WR A.T. Perry
• TE Caden Prieskorn
• CB Jaden Robinson
• WR Kyrese Rowan
• G Will Sherman
• DB Keidron Smith
• CB Reese Taylor
• LB Jordan Turner
• S Delarrin Turner-Yell
• RB Blake Watson (injury settlment)

Waived/injured:

• DT Kristian Williams

Placed on IR (designated for return):

• LB Drew Sanders

Placed on IR:

• FB Michael Burton

Fullback Michael Burton won’t play for the Broncos this season, as Sean Payton revealed that the veteran suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery (per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette). The 33-year-old appeared in every game for Denver over the past two seasons, garnering reps in about 17% of his team’s offensive snaps and 63% of his team’s special teams snaps. Over that span, Burton collected 90 yards from scrimmage on 27 touches, and he’s added another 10 special teams stops.

A number of these players could land back on the practice squad. Assuming they pass through waivers, it sounds like the following players are destined for Denver’s practice squad: wideout Michael Bandy (per Mike Klis of 9News in Denver), offensive lineman Joe Michalski (per Klis), offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton (per Klis), cornerback Jaden Robinson (per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston) and cornerback Reese Taylor (per Tomasson).