Denver Broncos Acquire ‘Special’ Player in Surprising Move

The Denver Broncos made a series of roster adjustments on Saturday as training camp continued, reflecting both injury realities and ongoing efforts to sharpen depth in the secondary.

Defensive lineman Matt Henningsen was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during Friday’s practice. The injury occurred almost exactly one year after he ruptured the same tendon in a joint practice against the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, sidelining him for that entire season.

A sixth-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, Henningsen had appeared in every game during his first two seasons but has not played in a regular-season contest since 2023. He spent 2024 on the practice squad and now faces another lost year.

To create a corresponding roster spot, the Broncos released cornerback Sam Webb and signed undrafted free agent Ricardo Hallman, a former Wisconsin Badgers standout.

Webb and Hallman had both worked out for the team in late July, with Denver initially choosing to sign the veteran. Sources indicated the release came as a surprise to Webb after Saturday’s practice. As a vested veteran, he immediately became a free agent, and interest was already reported from Jacksonville, Houston, and Tennessee. Webb had been expected to contribute primarily on special teams.

Hallman arrives with a reputation for competitiveness and ball skills. Bleacher Report’s scouting report from late 2024 described him as a dynamic corner with solid technique, agility, and the ability to make plays at the catch point, though his size can present challenges against larger receivers.

Badger of Honor’s Mark Knight offered a strong endorsement of the move, writing that Hallman is a “great pickup for the Broncos.”

Knight added, “He’s a special player that was part of a pretty proficient defense last year. The Badgers may have only won four games last year and were underwhelming in so many facets, but Wisconsin was a solid defense. One of the best in the Big Ten and even a top-10 unit for the beginning part of the season. Two of those wins came on the back of the defense.”

Knight further noted that while Hallman’s testing numbers may have limited his draft stock, he is a “gamer who will find a way to show he belongs,” and that the Broncos are seeking competition in the cornerback room.

In related moves, the Broncos also signed wide receiver Kyrese Rowan and officially added Kyre Duplessis, both of whom practiced with the team.

These adjustments come as Denver continues evaluating its 90-plus man roster ahead of final cuts, balancing injury management with the need for versatile contributors who can push established players.

Hallman’s arrival injects youth and proven college production into a secondary led by Pat Surtain II, while the loss of Henningsen underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining depth along the defensive line.